Biden-Harris administration launches action to modernise and implement building safety and energy codes across the US. The initiative aims to help State and local governments adopt the latest building codes (in effect, the ICC Residential and Building codes IRC and IBC). The initiative will include implementing codes in federally subsidised local housing and other building projects, “above code” realisations for federal buildings and funding to support local adoption and implementation of codes. The announcement of the initiative cites resilience to flooding, hurricanes and wildfires, and energy savings, but upgrading US implementation of building codes would also lead to higher fire safety standards in many States and jurisdictions.
“Fact sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Launches Initiative to Modernize Building Codes, Improve Climate Resilience, and Reduce Energy Costs”, 1st June 2022 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/01/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-launches-initiative-to-modernize-building-codes-improve-climate-resilience-and-reduce-energy-costs/