Code

NADRA’s Code Initiative

We are asking for your help on behalf of the entire organization so that we can become a stronger voice in shaping the deck codes we all must build to.

If you are in the decking industry, we need your help.  The ideas are being discussed and the rules are being made.  You shouldn’t stand on the sidelines any longer. We need you in the game. There are two ways you can help in a big way:

1. Offer your monetary support: To contribute to the fundraising initiative, follow this link here to see what our goal and how the funds are being used to keep this effort moving forward.

2. Offer your time: To volunteer time, please email Info@NADRA.org and we will work with you and the code committee to see how we can best utilize your skills – most likely, helping to review the proposals in March.

Vision:

Safe decks with well-thought-out engineering and a common sense practical approach to code requirements.

Code Mission Statement

To advance and protect industry interests in the code development arena and to promote member involvement; to promote governmental and agency reliance on NADRA as a voice for the industry; to create and maintain relationships with key government agencies and code officials; to be a forum for the discussion, study, and investigation of proposed and existing model code development, federal and state legislation and programs, and to report such findings to the Board of Directors and the Membership.

This section of NADRA’s website is dedicated to building code requirements and best building practices related to outdoor living structures.

Here you will find references to help you interpret code topics, links to jurisdiction websites for licensing and code requirements, and much more.

NADRA is always looking to add to the information provided in this section of the website, so please feel free to suggest a link by using the contact form below.

We are asking for your help on behalf of the entire organization so that we can become a stronger voice in shaping the deck codes we all must build to.

November 2015

Below are 2 documents from the Deck Code Coalition, which contains a detailed list of each item they are recommending for revision with the 2018 IRC with comments and highlights in the “ICC Format”, as well as a “clean” copy of the rewritten code sections with the updates included.

Please note that these documents are still “under construction”, and further revisions and improvements to wording should be included. However, the DCC has offered to share this preliminary information with NADRA members in an effort to build broader agreement and unity in how we are working to improve the code we all work under.

Composite Changes
R507 Rewrite

If you have specific questions, comments or concerns let us know by filling out a form found HERE

Thank You,
Matt Breyer
NADRA’s chair for our Code & Education Committee

August 2014

A Product Program for Composite Decking By Roy Diez

October 2013 Update

By Glenn Mathewson

Comments on IRC 2015 Code Public Comment hearings

NADRA attended the Public Comment Hearings on October 4th, 2013 to serve and protect the decking industry in the development of the 2015 IRC. I’m happy to say that we did that job well, and have little to fear in the new provisions now decided. Here’s a review of the topics we spoke on. Read full recap HERE.

September 2013 Update

By Glenn Mathewson

When There’s No Public Comment

If a proposal in the IRC code development process doesn’t receive a public comment, the vote from the first hearing is generally the final result. With the recent publishing of the public comments, we can now see what the 2015 IRC is starting to look like. It’s been a lot of work keeping up with the high-profile deck code proposals on the table this summer, like the monstrous 268 with a depth of un-agreed-upon prescriptive code provisions that would rock the industry or the one that already has…the lateral load anchor. Those most certainly received public comment, but there were other less glamorous proposals regarding our industry that did not. Read On…When There’s No Public Comment…

August 2013 Update

By Glenn Mathewson

BUILDING CODE OR PRODUCT CATALOG?

How many hold-down anchors does it take to build a deck? The development of the 2015 IRC is halfway through, and there’s likely going to be some new regulations for the construction industry to adjust to. For the decking industry, there’s lobbying working to create new building codes around specific product lines. We’ve already seen the costly results of including “permitted” details in the code depicting specific products. The lateral load anchor detail, that was published this way in the 2009 IRC, is quickly read as “required” by many building departments. Now, as new research is revealing that ledgers fair quite well without lateral anchors, there is a proposal seeking to “permit” the use of anchors on every guard post in the 2015 IRC. Will history be repeated and this also be read as “required”? Read On…How many hold-down anchors does it take to build a deck?

RB 268 Guard Details

July 2013 Update

By Glenn Mathewson

“NADRA has submitted public comments for the Public Comment Hearing (formally the Final Action Hearing). Links to public comments are posted below. As always, NADRA welcomes feedback from our members.

“NADRA has begun to draft public comments for the Public Comment Hearing (formally the Final Action Hearing). With the development of the 2015 IRC half way through, NADRA remains on top of the process by participating in each phase of code development. The committee has made their vote in the previous hearings, but all can still be turned around, both for our advantage and disadvantage. Links to public comments are posted here as they are developed. As always, NADRA welcomes feedback from our members.”

ICC CODES – PUBLIC COMMENT FORM

June 2013 Update

By Glenn Mathewson

“The hearing results are published, and the first half of the code development process is complete. The decisions of the committee on each proposal can still be overturned at the final hearing if a public comment is received, so take a good look. NADRA will begin working on the next step…preparing our public comments and working with others on theirs, where our input can be provided. Keep in mind…if a public comment is not received on a proposal, consider it done and in the code.”

Code Report Post Hearing

May 2013 Update

By Glenn Mathewson

Recap of 2013 Group B Committee Action Hearing (Dallas, TX) Last week the IRC code hearings were held in Dallas, TX. NADRA’s Technical Advisor, Glenn Mathewson represented the association on numerous proposals. This work is just beginning & your support is NEEDED on key issues that WILL effect your businesses and will effect this industry. Your support is encouraged so these efforts can continue on behalf of the membership and industry the association serves. NADRA Headquarters a nd the entire board would like to personally thank Glenn Mathewson for his time and efforts at these hearings. Recap of 2013 Group B Committee Action Hearing (Dallas) – By NADRA Technical Advisor, Glenn Mathewson: Take Action: Now that the ICC Committee Action Hearings are over, be sure to follow the link about the public comment hearings. The first recap of an approved proposal is a good example of WHY we need your support so we can continue to be heard at these hearings!

Update NADRA Codes and Standards Committee

The ICC Building Code Action Committee is considering a very large proposal for deck construction provisions to be included in the 2015 IRC. Anyone is invited to provide feedback, both opponent and proponent, on the proposal. The committee wishes to work on the document with the industry, prior to the hearings next year. Take a look at this proposal and see if you want these provisions to become code? Code, such that any other option is an “alternative” that has to be convinced to the building official over “just doing what the code says”.

Read Proposal

State Licensing Links

Contractor Registration and Licensing requirements vary from state to state. Not all states have requirements at the state level. Additional requirements may exist at the local jurisdiction level.

Material Data Sheets

ICC-Building Products Evaluation Reports – http://www.icc-es.org/reports/index.cfm?list=list

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