Adhering to building codes is critical because it ensures a minimum level of safety and quality in construction, protecting public health and welfare by setting standards for building design and construction that safeguard people from hazards like fire, structural failure, and other potential dangers within a building. These codes aim to create safe and habitable structures across different regions and jurisdictions; essentially, they provide a baseline for building safety by addressing aspects like egress, structural integrity, and fire safety.
The following standards and codes are already adopted in many states and will continue to evolve and expand to additional states and regions. Please click on each code or standard for additional information including certification requirements, scope, applicable products, related standards, testing procedures, FAQs and more.
ALWAYS Check with your local Building Official to review what codes and standards have been set in place for your specific build.
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions that include product evaluation, accreditation, technology, training, and certification. The Code Council's codes, standards, and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: They are basically the nationwide guidebook for making sure buildings meet modern safety, fire, and structural standards. Sets of rules that tell builders, architects, and inspectors how to design and construct safe, strong, and accessible buildings.
2024 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC)
The IBC establishes minimum requirements for apartments, offices, stores, schools and high-rises, using prescriptive provisions. It is founded on broad-based principles that make possible the use of new materials and new building designs.
2024 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE (IRC)
The IRC focuses on one and two family dwellings and townhouses, and is unique in that as much of it is presented in an ordered format that is consistent with the normal progression of construction, starting with the design phase and continuing through the final trim-out phase.
ICC-ES part of the ICC that tests and evaluates building products, materials, and systems to make sure they meet code requirements. When a product passes, ICC-ES issues an Evaluation Report (ESR) that tells code officials, builders, and inspectors, “Yes, this product is safe and code-compliant.”
An ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR) is an official document issued by the International Code Council Evaluation Service that confirms a building product, material, or system meets the requirements of the building codes.
It’s based on thorough review of test data (often from labs like Intertek), engineering analysis, and quality control checks. The ESR spells out:
What the product is and who makes it
Which codes it complies with (IBC, IRC, etc.)
Where and how it can be used
Any installation requirements or limitations
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: Think of an ESR as the product’s passport to get accepted by building inspectors—clear proof it’s been vetted for code compliance.
The International Accreditation Service (IAS) provides objective evidence that an organization operates at the highest level of ethical, legal and technical standards. IAS accreditation programs are based on recognized national and international standards that ensure domestic and/or global acceptance of its accreditations.
They exist because ICC-ES doesn’t manufacture or sell products—it verifies that they keep meeting the standards after approval. Once a product gets an ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR), ICC-ES requires ongoing quality assurance inspections at the manufacturing plants to make sure nothing changes in materials, design, or process that would affect code compliance.
AIS is essentially the field audit arm—its job is to visit the factories, check production, review quality control records, and report back to ICC-ES so the ESR remains valid.
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: AIS exists to make sure a product that passed testing last year is still being made to the same standard this year.
Intertek is a global company that provides testing, inspection, and certification services for a wide range of products and industries, including building materials.
What Intertek does:
Tests products to make sure they meet safety, quality, and performance standards (like fire resistance, strength, durability).
Inspects factories and manufacturing processes to ensure consistent quality.
Certifies products by issuing reports or certificates showing they comply with building codes and regulations.
Works closely with organizations like ICC-ES by providing the actual test data that helps products earn Evaluation Reports (ESRs).
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: Intertek is the trusted lab and inspection company that checks products to prove they’re safe and built right.
Intertek can also issue their own reports, like CCRRs.
CCRRs are useful for code officials to decide on approving products and systems when the product or system is an alternative under the code (typically, Section 104.11 of the IBC, SBC and IRC, though other codes have similar language). CCRRs also help where the product or system is governed by multiple requirements as it pulls the relevant code information into one technical report. CCRRs will identify the critical elements of the construction needed to meet the requirements of the code. Each CCRR is developed under the supervision of a professionally licensed Intertek engineer who is separated from the testing process. This ensures there is an independent review of the testing necessary to demonstrate compliance with code.
Both the ICC-ES ESR & the intertek CCRR are recognized by many building officials as proof of code compliance, but some jurisdictions, architects, or specifiers may prefer (or require) one over the other.
ASTM International is a globally recognized organization that develops and publishes voluntary technical standards for a huge range of materials, products, systems, and services—including building materials.
What ASTM does:
Brings together experts from industry, government, and academia to create clear, consensus-based standards.
These standards define how to test materials, what qualities products should have, and how to measure performance.
Building codes like the IBC often reference ASTM standards to specify how tests should be done or what minimum performance is required.
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: ASTM International is like the rulebook maker that defines how to test and judge building materials and other products so everyone uses the same yardstick.
A great and useful example of an ASTM standard is ASTM E84, a standard test method created by ASTM International that measures how quickly flame spreads and how much smoke a building material produces when exposed to fire.
Because ASTM develops this test, manufacturers and labs use the exact same procedure worldwide to see if materials like wall panels, ceiling tiles, or insulation are fire-safe.
Building codes, like the International Building Code (IBC), reference ASTM E84 to require certain flame spread ratings for materials used inside buildings.
So, ASTM International:
Creates the detailed test method (like E84)
Makes sure everyone tests materials the same way
Provides the foundation for product evaluations and code compliance
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: ASTM E84 shows how ASTM’s standards provide the common language and methods everyone follows to judge product safety and performance when fire is introduced.