Overview

Building codes and standards affect much of the ready mixed concrete construction in the United States. The purpose of any building code is to provide a safe building for all occupants, owners and emergency responders. Building codes are intended to provide a prescriptive requirement for building construction and are enforced at the local or state governmental level. Individual state and local governments are free to adopt their own codes; however, most adopt model building codes that are developed and maintained by the  International Code Council (ICC). The ICC publishes the International Building Code (IBC, International Residential Code (IRC), International Energy Conservation Code, among others.

Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana coast on September 29, 2005 causing major damage to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. NRMCA’s Board of Directors met on September 20, 2006 and urged NRMCA to take the lead on promoting stronger building codes in Gulf Coast states affected by the hurricane. Only four days later, Hurricane Rita hit the Texas coast on September 24 causing damage in Texas and additional damage in Louisiana. NRMCA and its members responded with recovery efforts, government relations, and education programs. Click here to read about how the concrete industry responded to Katrina.

Through participation on codes committees and work with associated organizations, NRMCA's Codes and Standards programs helps to develop codes that are most responsive to the issues affecting our industry. The Association's programs also are aimed at increasing the ready mixed concrete industry's awareness of the codes and standards development process. For information regarding this program and code activities contact Erin Ashley.