The code was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, Illuminating Engineering Society and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
At last month's annual ICC meeting, leaders elected to go forward with 14 proposed changes, including allowing wood high-rises to be constructed as tall as 18 stories. "Energy efficiency, resource conservation, water safety, land use, site development, indoor environmental quality and building performance" were all addressed in the new code.