News
Advisory Committee Update
Acceptance Criteria (AC) and Evaluation Service Reports (ESRs)…who cares about these? All you probably want to know is if the product meets its performance claims and if it meets the applicable code requirements. But what if an AC, and consequently an ESR, are not available on the product that you are interested in? Do you care how long it takes to obtain an ESR or to develop an AC? Do you care if the AC and ESR address technical issues thoroughly so that your safety is protected?
The Evaluation Services Advisory Committee (ESAC), which is made up of a broad range of individuals representing various companies and industries—along with many building departments, engineers, architects, and numerous companies and organizations—are very interested in these questions. The ESAC, which is in its first year of operation, continues to work on: (1) providing advice to the ICC-ES Board of Directors on matters affecting the working relationships and cooperative efforts between ICC-ES and its report holders; and (2) offering recommendations for improved communications and improved customer service on the part of ICC-ES.
During the April 24 ESAC meeting in Chicago, the following issues were addressed and discussed:
- One significant potential roadblock to obtaining an ESR on any product in a timely manner is the quality of the application package. To help improve the ease of submitting an ESR application, and to aid in increasing the efficiency in which an application can be processed and reviewed, a new “Checklist for Evaluation Report Application Packages” was developed with the help of ICC-ES staff. This checklist provides a more complete process flow with direct links to forms and examples. This checklist will be available soon on the ICC-ES website and will continue to be improved as needed.
- Improving the AC process continues to be a high priority issue in ESAC. There are many issues up for consideration with the AC Public Comments Task Group. These include a more integrated deadline schedule that includes the public hearing deadlines as well as the Alternate Agenda deadlines, clarification and communication regarding the purpose and use of the Alternate Agenda, how to help ensure that controversial issues related to an AC are addressed prior to the public hearing so that the AC is more likely to be approved, and several other key issues. Specific recommendations in these areas will be made throughout the remainder of this year to the ICC-ES Board.
- Currently, there is no mechanism in place to allow for a technical appeal on decisions related to an AC. After input from several resources, including the ICC-ES staff, it was determined that trying to develop a technical appeal process is a worthwhile effort. Many feel that a technical appeal process will help increase the welfare and safety of the people who depend on the products being evaluated by ICC-ES, even though this process is not expected to be utilized often. The Technical Appeals Task Group has developed a proposal that will be considered at the next ESAC meeting. After ESAC approval, this proposal (like all ESAC proposals) will be forwarded to the ICC-ES Board for their consideration.
The ESAC and the ICC-ES staff and management continue to work together well. Numerous improvement ideas are under consideration and are resulting in valuable and healthy debate. As this cooperative effort continues, we are hopeful that many improvements will be implemented by ICC-ES as well as by applicants for ESRs and proponents of new AC.
You are welcome to participate in ESAC meetings. Meeting notices are posted on the ICC-ES website four weeks prior to the meeting. The ES Advisory Committee held its most recent meeting in Denver, Colorado, on July 17.
