Masonry Magazine December 2001 Page. 18
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IBC/continued
On the other hand, the IBC has been reluctant to reference the MSJC in whole as their masonry provisions. It references the MSJC in some places, and contradicts it in others. More importantly, the strength design provisions of the IBC are somewhat different than the masonry industry's strength design provisions that are being balloted for the 2002 MSJC document, hence are not very highly looked upon by the masonry industry. However, the IBC takes a passive fire resistance approach to its fire resistance provisions. This is very favorable to masonry and other non-combustible materials.
Some of the states that have not adopted the IBC are waiting to see the NFPA document for a number of reasons. Those states in which the current IBC is more stringent than their current Building Code are waiting to see the NFPA document with the hopes that it will be less stringent and more like its current provisions. Other states are waiting because the NFPA has gained support from the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA) which can carry a lot of weight. In states where the UA is strong, the governing bodies have decided to wait until NFPA releases the structural code for possible adoption. In states where the UA is not very strong, they have called on other unions to support them in the their efforts, thus halting many states from adopting the IBC as their governing state Building Code. Some states are waiting for the NFPA Building Code because their building code boards may consist of fire marshals and they, in the interest of life safety, are waiting to see the NFPA Code. There is also the problem of local codes. Some states, such as Florida, may decide to develop their own building code for adoption.
The NFPA Building Code will not be released until the fall of 2002. The second edition of the IBC will be released in the spring of 2003. This new edition of the IBC will have the benefit of having each industry "tweak" what needs to be changed, thus providing a better IBC. The efforts of the International Code Council should be applauded. Their idea of unifying the nation's building code was a noble goal, but now that the NFPA code is gaining more and more support, that goal of unification is very unlikely. In the next couple of years, there may be 5 different model codes to choose from: the National Building Code, the Standard Building Code, the Uniform Building Code, the International Building Code, and the NFPA Building Code. All five are model codes that could still have jurisdiction in some parts of America.
The masonry industry has been preparing itself to work with any of the model codes that may be adopted in any jurisdiction. Whether it is the IBC or the NFPA Building Code, organizations such as the Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards (MACS) are structured to implement code changed in both codes. Through MACS, the industry is at both the NFPA and the ICC Code hearings and meetings fighting to ensure safe and fair provisions for masonry construction and materials. This organization and others like it are committed to the interests of the entire masonry industry and will work diligently to protect masonry's share of the construction market.
18 MASONRY DECEMBER, 2001