ICC - Guideline 6 on Advanced Panelization
In case you missed it - The ICC is trying to clear up building regulations related to prefab construction (https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-hits/guideline-6-on-advanced-panelization-open-for-public-comment-2/)! They have released a draft guideline for public comment (now closed) to;
Provide information on the verification of compliance for panelized products based on levels of quality assurance and documentation and the approval of panelized systems made up of pre-approved sub-panels
Provide national, state/provincial and local jurisdictions with guidance on the approval of panelized systems that meet specific criteria
Help efficiently verify compliance with existing criteria including building codes, standards and acceptance criteria
This could help adoption of #prefab #masstimber systems across the country, removing the risk of approval hiccups due to the lack of familiarity or approval process from local jurisdictions. Predictable, known approvals at all stages is one key to solving our #housing crisis, and this should help give manufacturers confidence that their tested systems will be accepted broadly.
As the document's outcomes section states;
"The process for advanced #panelization outlined in this guideline is intended to provide multiple outcomes. It is intended to reduce confusion on how closed panels are treated from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, opening up opportunities for greater degree of finish and potentially increased investment in automation based on that certainty. It also allows for panels to be considered building components under a product evaluation/listing type process similar to other finished products (e.g., windows, HVAC equipment). Such an approach is not unprecedented—similar approaches are used effectively in Europe and Japan."
Video Credit: Intelligent City