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VSI’s Code Efforts Move Forward to Help Industry

As the snow swirled outside off Lake Ontario in late March and early April in Rochester, NY, VSI’s code team diligently pushed, testified and collaborated with other industry groups on the 18 VSI-submitted code proposals and 10+ proposals of relevance to our industry through the International Code Council’s (ICC) Code Action Hearings.

The team, which included VSI’s Code Development Work Group Chair Neil Sexton, VSI’s Technical Committee Chair Stan Hathorn, VSI member Agnese Bregnocchi and VSI team members Matt Dobson and Sara Krompholz, testified and modified proposals to give them the best chance for success.

The good news: The group’s hard work and preparation paid off, successfully having 15 of 18 proposals accepted.

Proposal successes included:

  • Removal of an overly burdensome fire testing requirement on polypropylene siding for use in high-density settings in the International Residential Code (IRC)
  • Introduction of starter strip and utility trim requirements, helping to ensure proper installation in the IRC
  • Introduction of insulated vinyl siding installation provisions in the International Building Code (IBC)
  • Introduction of fascia requirements in both the IRC and IBC

Many of these proposals resulted from years of work and testing, using the mantra “how can the codes help to make sure our products are being installed properly” –  which ultimately results in better product performance. Some of the changes were the result of learning after numerous hurricanes occurred and analyzing where improvements could be made in collaboration with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Looking Ahead 

What’s next? We are halfway through the process, with the next deadline approaching June 20, when comments on proposals must be submitted. The ICC’s Public Comment Hearings will occur in mid-September in Louisville, KY. Then, following these hearings, subsequent editions of the I-codes will be published in mid-2023, resulting in the 2024 editions.

For questions about VSI’s code work, including getting involved in the process, please fill out the Contact Us form linked here.