Three major Western contractors’ associations voiced their backing for the International family of building codes as California and other states prepare to enter a new cycle of statewide building code adoptions.

Members of the Western Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association/Technical Services Information Bureau, the Northern California Drywall Contractors Association and the Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau voted to support the I-Codes over a rival building code published by the National Fire Protection Association.

In announcing their decisions, association representatives stressed their desire to support local building officials, an overwhelming majority of which back the International family of codes. Collectively, the associations represent hundreds of signatory union contractor, supplier and manufacturer members, and are recognized as the leading contractor groups in the western United States.

“The WWCCA has many long-term relations with many ICBO officials that are now operating at the International Code Council,” said Ian Hendry, executive vice president of WWCCA. “These relationships enable the WWCCA to function as a liaison between labor and the building officials.”

“What we’ve elected to do is endorse and heavily promote the new international building code in all the regions we’re involved in,” said Bob Drury, NWCB executive director.