EIFS One Step Closer to Code Approval
The following press release was distributed March 4 by the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) regarding preliminary approval for inclusion of EIFS in building codes:We are very pleased to report that EIFS has moved closer to inclusion in the international model building codes that will be updated in 2009.
During the ICC’s 2008 Code Development Hearings last week in Palm Springs, Calif. the EIMA Technical Advisory Committee, working closely with Jesse Beitel of Hughes & Associates, Inc., secured preliminary approvals from both the IRC Building and Energy Code Committee and the IBC Fire Safety Code Committee for the inclusion of EIFS in to the IRC and the IBC. The IRC Committee voted 10-0 to recommend inclusion in the IRC, and the IBC vote was 11-1. Several EIMA members, including BASF Wall Systems, Dryvit Systems, ParexLahabra, and Sto Corp. contributed time and personnel to attend these hearings and offer comments.
While work remains to be done, this is great news for the industry. Last week’s achievement grew out of continuous and patient efforts of the Technical Advisory Committee ever since EIMA’s accreditation as an ANSI standards organization in 1999. It implements the Board of Director’s specific instructions to the Technical Advisory Committee at the 2006 Annual Meeting to make inclusion of EIFS in the international model building codes a reality.
This has brought us closer than ever to having EIFS recognized as the superior wall cladding we have always known that it is.
The next step in the process is publishing the committee results for review and comment by ICC members.
The ICC membership will meet and vote on the 2009 revisions in September during the 2008 International Code Council Annual Conference & Final Action Hearings. If necessary, EIMA will provide additional detail and testimony at that time. However, the membership typically relies on the committee’s recommendations.
