
MEETING IBC CHAPTER 17 REQUIREMENTS
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Code officials can now accept accreditation from the International Accreditation Service® (IAS®), an ICC subsidiary, as evidence that the inspection programs of metal building manufacturers are in compliance with requirements in Chapter 17of the International Building Code® (IBC®).
BENEFITS FOR BUILDING DEPARTMENTS
This program was created, under the direction of code officials, for the benefit of building departments. Specific benefits include:
A nationally recognized process for ensuring the fabrication of metal buildings comply with the special inspection requirements in Chapter 17 of the International Building Code® |
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Substantial cost savings for building departments to verify code compliance of metal building fabrication |
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Assurance that fabrication conforms to approved construction documents and referenced standards |
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Elimination of additional inspections and an expedited approval process |
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Assurance that the fabricators of metal buildings are qualified and maintain detailed fabrication and quality control procedures |
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Confidence in working with an ICC subsidiary and organization that has served the building departments for a quarter of a century |
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Metal building fabricators voluntarily apply for accreditation by IAS |
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IAS conducts a thorough onsite evaluation of the fabrication facilities. See below for more details on the evaluation process and criteria |
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The accreditation process is based on IBC Chapter 17 and IAS Accreditation Criteria (AC472) |
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Manufacturers whose fabrication inspection processes meet the requirements are issued a Certificate of Accreditation from IAS |
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Building departments can verify that manufacturers are accredited by looking on the IAS website at www.iasonline.org |
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Accredited manufacturers are subject to periodic inspections by IAS-accredited third-party inspection agencies |
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Accredited manufacturers are subject to annual onsite reassessment from IAS to maintain their accreditation status |
CODE REQUIREMENTS AND ACCREDITATION CRITERIA
The IAS accreditation program is based on IBC Chapter 17 and IAS Accreditation Criteria (AC472). The AC472 was developed in open, public hearings and approved by the IAS Accreditation Committee who are code officials. The criteria addresses essential requirements necessary for code officials to deem IAS-accredited entities as approved fabricators, per IBC Section 1704.2.2.
- Inspections of fabrication and engineering design facilities
- Personnel requirements
- Product traceability
- Process control
- Ability to manufacture buildings in accordance with approved plans
- Technical standards
The IAS accreditation criteria (AC472) addresses quality management system elements for engineering, fabrication and shop practices, personnel requirements, materials certification, process control, and technical requirements. The program requires comprehensive material and workmanship traceability. Documentation allows an owner to trace materials all the way from the maker of the steel to the erection of the finished product. IAS AC472 covers three areas of quality in workmanship and building integrity:
- Structural welding (modeled after AC172: Fabricator Inspection Programs for Structural Steel)
- Cold-formed steel fabrication
- Engineering
To view all the details of AC 472, click here.
COST
There is no cost for building departments that would like to use this program to approve metal building manufacturers.
ENSURE COMPLIANCEVERIFY ACCREDITATION
To verify that metal building fabrication meets the requirements of IBC Chapter 17 and AC472, look for the manufacturer’s IAS Certificate of Accreditation on the IAS website at www.iasonline.org
If a manufacturer is not accredited, ask them to contact IAS for more information.
About the International Accreditation Service
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International Accreditation Service, a subsidiary corporation of the International Code Council®, evaluates and accredits building departments, special inspection agencies, testing and calibration laboratories, fabricator inspection programs and inspection agencies, product certification agencies, field evaluation bodies, training agencies, and curriculum developers. IAS is a nonprofit, public-benefit corporation and one of the most experienced accreditation bodies of its type.
About the International Code Council
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The International Code Council® (ICC®), a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties, and states choose the International Codes®, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.
The IAS Metal Building System Accreditation Program replaces the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) MB certification.
For More Information, Contact IAS
Online: http://www.iasonline.org/Metal_Building_Systems/
E-Mail: info@iasonline.org
Tel: 1-866-427-4422




