The 2009 International Residential Code will include several significant new requirements that were approved by the International Code Council (ICC) at the ICC Final Action Hearings in September. Among them are more stringent requirements for wall bracing, roof blocking and uplift straps depending on the home design and also for homes in high-wind and seismic areas. Carbon monoxide alarms will also be required in all homes with combustion appliances or attached garages.

The most significant is of course the new requirement for the installation of residential fire sprinklers with an effective date of January 1, 2011. However, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is formally appealing that decision with the ICC on the grounds that the ICC consensus code development process was undermined by the actions of sprinkler advocates to marshal hundreds of firefighters to dominate the sprinkler vote at the Final Action Hearings. While there are no other formal appellants, a number of code officials and other industry groups have expressed the same concerns about the vulnerability of the ICC code development process. The ICC Appeals Board has slated a hearing of the appeal for December 11th, in Chicago, IL. NMHC will be following developments of this appeal and will preparing a summary of all significant 2009 codes changes impacting modular construction for NMHC members.

American with Disabilities Act

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued proposals to adopt new design standards for facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) based on revised guidelines previously issued by the Board. Under the ADA, DOJ is responsible for maintaining standards for new construction and alterations that are consistent with the Board’s guidelines. DOJ’s standards apply to the construction and alteration of all facilities covered by the ADA except transportation facilities, which are subject to standards maintained by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The new standards would apply to state and local government facilities subject to title II of the ADA and to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities covered by title III of the law. DOJ issued separate notices under each title.

The notices also address issues relating to the application of the new standards, including effective dates. Through these proposals, DOJ is also revisiting or supplementing other sections of its regulations, which have changed little since their original publication in 1991. For further information, contact DOJ at (202) 307-0663 (v/TTY) or visit its website at www.ada.gov.