News
Evaluation Committee Addresses Seismic Issues
The ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) Evaluation Committee approved 19 new or revised acceptance criteria during its meeting in Chicago.
The committee considered several seismic issues related to lateral-force-resisting products. There are now acceptance criteria for specific lateral-force-resisting elements (AC130, AC230 and AC322) or systems (AC215), but there is still discussion regarding the assignment of seismic factors for other proprietary systems, such as concrete wall systems or sandwich panels. Industry representatives discussed the possibility of forming task groups that would consider the approach for each system before ICC-ES would issue an Evaluation Report. ICC-ES staff is currently preparing a proposed guideline for creating the task groups that will be posted on the August 2008 Alternative Criteria Process agenda.
Other highlights include:
AC394 – Structural Capacity of Components of Work Cages for Wind Turbine Towers. This criteria addresses personnel and material hoists under Section 3005.4 of the International Building Code and applies to the structural capacity of the components used for work cages. The work cages are necessary for maintenance of wind towers but do not fall under the scope of standards for elevators.
AC377 – Spray-applied Foam Plastic Insulation and AC12 – Foam Plastic Insulation. Important steps were taken in clarifying requirements for use of foam plastic in attics and crawl spaces. For spray-applied materials, the industry agreed to revise requirements for the short-term and notified the committee they are moving forward with an industry-wide research project to establish a long-term solution. In both criteria, the industry incorporated requirements that will help to bring clarity to the subject.
AC118 – Tapping Screw Fasteners. Manufacturers and suppliers of fasteners need to be able to respond quickly to changing sources of supply. AC118 was amended to address this issue by clarifying the qualification test requirements, including sampling levels.
AC342 – Vapor Permeable Membrane Used with Concealed Attics and Roof Spaces. This new acceptance criteria provides a means for recognition of vapor permeable membranes that are used in residential construction to provide for removal of moisture vapor in concealed attic or roof spaces while minimizing air movement in the protected space. The system will be evaluated as an alternative to the conventional requirements of the code for attic and roof ventilation.
