Adopt the "I-Codes Now"

The "I-Codes Now" coalition supports the 2001 recommendation of the City of Denver's Building Code Review Committee. The 12-member committee oversaw the year long review by dozens of volunteers, and recommended the adoption of six codes: the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code and the International Energy Conservation Code. Included is a list of just some of the benefits of adopting the I-codes. The coalition requests that the necessary steps to enact these modern public safety documents begin as soon as possible.

For many years Denver wrote and maintained its own building code at its own expense. This was a great inconvenience for product manufacturers, design professionals, contractors and the many others impacted by such regulations. Realizing there was a better way to do business, in 1990 Denver adopted its first ever 'model' building codes - the Uniform codes.

The Uniform Codes were one of three regional building codes in the U.S. until the mid 1990's. Then, at the urging of the construction industry, the three regional codes were voluntarily combined in to one code set - the International Codes, published by the International Code Council (ICC). The ICC is a non-profit public benefit corporation, owned by member jurisdictions, whose purpose is to lessen the burdens of local government by promulgating a comprehensive and compatible set of construction safety codes for the built environment.

While there are detractors to the I-codes, Denver cannot remain economically competitive in today's market place when construction within its boundaries continues to be regulated by the outdated "Uniform" codes.

The coalition strongly supports continuing the process for the adoption of the International Codes.

Benefits of Adopting the "I-Codes Now"

1. The International Codes (I-Codes) are the only integrated code set from a single source that covers all aspects of building design and construction with the broad purpose of safeguarding public health, safety and welfare. The ICC family of codes is comprehensive, coordinated and up-to-date - making them the most functional set of codes governing building construction. There are more than 360 highly qualified staff members at 18 offices throughout the United States to provide support for the I-Codes.

2. Adoption encourages economic development in the city of Denver and the entire region by removing barriers to doing business. Development and other construction and design professionals will find it easier to do business with Denver when the adopted building codes are in alignment with its neighbors.

3. Encourages cost-effective residential and commercial construction through the use of proven, innovative work practices and products. Safety and cost efficiency will be improved through quality construction, the use of time-proven fire suppression systems, and the increased design flexibility in commercial structures. The stand-alone, self-contained residential building code will promote safe and affordable housing.

4. Provides a smooth transition as the successor to the existing codes used in the city of Denver, the region, and the nation. The I-Codes are written by the same organizations that have always written the codes used across the U.S. Denver's current building code, the Uniform Building Code, has become obsolete.

5. The "I-Codes" are developed through an open governmental consensus process with built in safeguards to prevent domination by any single interest, where public comment and debate are encouraged.

6. The City and County of Denver's Building Department played an integral role in developing the I-Codes and supports their adoption. The City of Denver's Building Code Revision Committee voted 10 to 2 in favor of adopting the I-Codes in 2001.

7. More than 100 cities and counties in Colorado have already adopted one or more of the I-Codes, as have over 30 states and numerous municipalities.