WallBracing.org

Public Comments on Code Proposals Released by ICC

03/29/2010

Public comments on code change proposals for the 2012 code development cycle have been made available by the International Code Council (ICC). The comments will be considered by ICC governmental members at the Code Development Final Action Hearings on May 15 through 23, 2010 in Dallas, Texas and on October 28 through November 1, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Approved code change proposals will be accepted into the 2012 International codes published by the ICC.

Included in the submitted public comments are nine comments related to the wall bracing provisions in the International Residential Code (IRC). Three of these were submitted by the ICC Ad Hoc Committee on Wall Bracing to further refine and expand proposed wall bracing provisions.

Many of the code change proposals originally submitted by the ICC Ad Hoc Committee on Wall Bracing that were passed by the IRC at the Code Development Hearings last fall received few-to-no public comments and are expected to be accepted into the 2012 IRC. These include:  

• The addition of a simplified bracing method that only recognizes wood structural panels and structural fiberboard.
• Reorganization and rewriting of the existing bracing provisions to correct inconsistencies and errors and to make the provisions generally easier to understand.

In addition, 17 IBC (International Builder Code) and IRC code change proposals submitted by APA that passed last fall have also been unchallenged by public comments. These proposals, designed to clarify, safeguard and broaden the acceptance of wood construction in the U.S., will be accepted into the 2012 codes. They include:

• Addition of a structural composition lumber definition to the IBC and IRC.
• Acceptance of revised OSB facer properties for structural insulated panels.
• A language change in the IBC and IRC to recognize the term of Performance Category used in the new Product Standards PS 1 and PS 2.
• Recognition in the IBC and IRC of ANSI/APA PRP-210 Standard for Performance-Rated Engineered Wood Siding.