Action Kit Promotes Adoption of the International Residential Code
With the International Residential Code (IRC) now ready for adoption at the state and local level, NAHB has developed an IRC Action Kit to help HBA leaders across the country educate building department officials on the benefits and practicality of adopting this code.
Developed with input from NAHB members, the IRC specifically highlights affordability in its purpose statement. The code pertains to the construction of one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes that are no more than three stories. As a stand-alone code, it covers all facets of home construction, which means that builders don’t need to be concerned with meeting multiple code requirements.
During an educational seminar at last month’s International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Joseph Knarich, an NAHB construction, codes and standards specialist, said that the kit lays out how the IRC compares favorably with other model building codes.
“Over 60% of the Council of American Building Officials (CABO) One and Two Family Dwelling Code is incorporated unchanged in the IRC,” he said. “This makes the IRC very builder friendly. Furthermore, NAHB worked diligently to ensure that the concept of affordability is included in the IRC and helped to craft many favorable code changes for builders.”