Initial Voting Results on 2024 International Code Proposals

Builders and public officials in all 50 US states, plus the District of Columbia and many other countries, refer to the International Codes, or I-Codes, as a comprehensive set of model building safety codes. I-Codes incorporate 15 constituent codes, including the International Building Code, the International Fire Code, and the International Residential Code, all published by the International Code Council (ICC). ICC updates the I-Codes every three years through an open, consensus-driven code development process.

For the development of the 2024 edition of the I-Codes, ICC split code change proposals into two groups, Group A and Group B. Proposals for Group A went through the code development process in 2021, and proposals for Group B went through committee hearings in 2022.

SEAC proposed 4 code changes in the Group A process and 23 code changes in the Group B process. For all of the SEAC proposals, the following groups were co-proponents: National Association of State Fire Marshalls, California Fire Chiefs Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, and California Solar and Storage Association.

The proposals were discussed at Committee Action Hearings, received public comments, and were discussed again at Public Comment Hearings. Then ICC governmental member representatives and honorary members voted on the proposals. Preliminary results show that the ICC voters accepted 3 SEAC proposals in the Group A process and 17 SEAC proposals in the Group B process. Some of the proposals were modified before the final vote.

Below is a brief recap of proposals by SEAC and partners grouped by ICC Code. The number indicates the ICC proposal number. All proposals have been approved as submitted unless otherwise noted.

INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging

• Clearly recognize EV charging in International Residential Code and provide direction on installation requirements (RB88-22)

Building-integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

• Create consistent terminology by defining “BIPV systems” instead of “BIPV products” (RB20-22)
• Require UL 7103 for listing BIPV systems (RB145-22)
• Identify all types of BIPV systems (RB146-22)
• Change listing reference from NEC 690 to UL 3741 (RB147-22)
• Add reflective markings for BIPV systems roof access and pathways (RB149-22)
• Permit BIPV as exterior wall coverings and fenestration (RB240-22)
• Replace the term “PV shingles” with “BIPV roof assembly” or “BIPV roof covering” (RB261-22)

Photovoltaics (PV)

• Add definition for ground-mounted PV (RB27-22)
• Update definition for “solar energy systems” to include BIPV (RB31-22)
• Allow elevated PV support structures as accessory structures (RB150-22)*

Energy Storage Systems (ESS)

• Clarify marking language for ESS residential use (RB158-22)*
• Modify definition of vehicle impact protection for consistency with International Fire Code (RB161-22)

INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE

BIPV

• Create consistent terminology by defining “BIPV systems” instead of “BIPV products” (S18-22)
• Point to UL 7103 as the standard for BIPV roof certification (S35-22)

PV

• Define structural requirements for elevated PV support structures (S112-22)
• Define ground-mounted PV access in the structural section (S113-22)**
• Fire testing and listing criteria for overhead PV support structures (G193-21)

INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE

ESS

• Modify definition of heat detection in residential garages (F154-21)
• Modify definition of vehicle impact (F155-21)*

* Accepted as Modified (Public Comment 1)

** Accepted as Modified

The International Code Council is represented on the SEAC Steering Committee by ICC staff. ICC staff has abstained from the development of the SEAC voting guide, SEAC code change proposals and SEAC comments for the ICC Code Development Process, per ICC policies like CP 28. ICC and ICC staff have not facilitated or assisted with the distribution of the SEAC voter guide. There is no ICC endorsement, expressed or implied, of the positions and proposals made by SEAC during the ICC Code Development Process.