• A model building code is a building code that is developed and maintained by a standards organization independent of the jurisdiction responsible  for enacting the building code. 

• Model codes can cover a wide range of areas, such as building design and construction, fire safety, electrical systems, plumbing, and mechanical systems. They often set minimum standards for materials, construction methods, and safety features. 

• A local government can choose to adopt a model building code as its own. This saves local governments the expense and trouble of developing their own codes. Many smaller governments lack the expertise to do so. 

• For much of the 20th century there were three predominant model building code organizations in the US.

• By the early 1990’s the situation in the US was truly chaotic – there were three private organizations each developing their own building code. 

• The work to blend the provisions of the three legacy codes (BOCA, SBCCI [SBC] and the ICBO [UBC]) into a single book began in earnest in 1998 with the formation of drafting committees for each of the major subject areas of the code 

• By mid-1999, a complete final first draft of the IBC was assembled and ready to be processed through the new procedures of the ICC. By year 2000, the first edition of IBC was officially published.

CODE YEAR ADOPTION: [ 2018 IBC: FL, LA, AZ, TN,PA, VA, UT ]   [ 2015 IBC: TX, NC, WI ]   [ 2012 IBC: TN ]