The model building codes are intended to ensure that our buildings are safe, sustainable, affordable, and resilient; they contain the minimum safeguards for their construction. Though the distinct code-promulgating organizations have different procedures for the development of their various codes, they all include provisions for the call for, publication of, discussion about, and voting on public code change proposals. These code change proposals are (ideally) intended to refine the codes by addressing gaps or moving them forward in their stated mission.
In practice, however, the various players in the code development arena (code officials, design professionals, code consultants, trade associations, builders/contractors, manufacturers/suppliers, and government agencies) may submit code change proposals that are intended to give a specific process, product, or organization special consideration in the administration of a code.
As a national trade association that represents more than 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses in the indoor environment and energy services community, ACCA does not support changes to the model codes that would limit a designer's options to provide quality service to their customer. ACCA recognizes that any aspect of a building system may be installed incorrectly due to subpar field practices. However, these installation issues should be addressed through the development of consensus standards on the specific issue, and not by code banning a viable design alternative.