May is Building Safety Month, and we’ve joined the International Code Council’s (ICC) initiative to increase awareness of the role building codes play in protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare. You can do your part to create a safe, sustainable built environment by being familiar with building codes in your area—here are a few resources to get you started.
ICC’s Building Codes 101 Series
Not sure where to start? The ICC’s video introduction to building codes will explain the basics, including why codes matter and how they’re regulated in the United States.
Cracking the Codes
NCARB’s Cracking the Codes monograph helps make building codes more accessible by walking you through the basic regulatory requirements you’ll need to identify in each stage of the planning process. And the best part? It’s free for NCARB Certificate holders and licensure candidates with an active NCARB Record.
FEMA’s Building Code Resources
Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website to find information about creating safer, stronger homes that are more resistant to disasters and hazards like earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods.
ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Make sure your projects can be used by everyone by following the latest ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
View a map of the codes adopted in your state and get free access to a basic version of the various International Building Codes that apply in your area.
Want to influence code development and adoption? Join the AIA Codes Network to help streamline codes and be a voice for other professionals.
National Fire Protection Association Codes
Ensure your buildings are fire safe with free access to the National Fire Protection Association’s codes and standards.
ICC Forum
Have questions about building codes? Head over to the ICC Forum to get answers, discuss issues about codes and building safety, and learn from other industry experts.
Keep in mind, building code are adopted by each jurisdiction and can vary from state to state—and in some cases, county to county.
Editor's Note: NCARB's Monograph Series was renamed the Continuum Education Program in early 2020.
