| Introduction
The ICC Performance Code for Building and Facilities is a joint effort of the ICC Performance Fire and Building Code Committees. The concepts covered by this code are not intended to be any different in scope than those covered by the current International Code Council's family of codes. Therefore, the provisions address the same subjects as the prescriptive ICC Codes.
The ICC Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities clearly defines the objectives for achieving the intended levels of occupant safety, property protection and community welfare. It provides a framework to achieve the defined objectives in terms of tolerable levels of damage and magnitudes of design events, such as fire and natural hazards. This code is distinctly different from the prescriptive code, which directs the user to a single solution to address a safety concern for a building or facility. The performance code allows the user to systematically achieve various solutions. The prescriptive codes are considered an acceptable solution. The committees strongly recommend that users consult the commentary to gain insight into the provisions of this code.
Additionally, this code provides a procedure to help address design and review issues associated with the alternate materials and methods section of the prescriptive code. Present alternate methods and materials sections require prescriptive code equivalency, but do not describe how it is achieved or what administrative process to follow. The committees strongly recommend that users consult the commentary to gain insight into the provisions of this code. The committees envision that limited code changes will be needed in the future for the intent, scope and the objective levels since those statements reflect societal goals and do not prescribe specific solutions. However, the committees recognize that "acceptable methods," which include the prescriptive code and other techniques used to demonstrate compliance with the objectives, will be an evolving process as technologies change; this may generate different interpretations and the need for change in the future. It should be noted that as new innovative approaches become proven, they may become part of the prescriptive code or other acceptable methods. |
