Rhode Island is the first state in the nation to adopt a building code standard that advances off-site construction of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, energy efficiency and water conservation.
On Dec. 9, the state’s building code standards committee approved the adoption of several International Code Council and Modular Building Institute standards for off-site construction.
Rhode Island is the first state to adopt the ICC/MBI 1210 standard for MEP systems, energy efficiency and water conservation in off-site construction and the fourth state this year to adopt ICC/MBI 1200 and 1205 behind Virginia , Utah and Montana.
The three standards “provide best practices based on existing offsite construction programs and support consistency and efficiency in how offsite construction is approved and inspected,” according to a news release announcing the ‘adoption of rules by Rhode Island.
The ICC/MBI 1210 standard covers the incorporation of MEP systems into component, panelized or modularized building elements and helps achieve energy efficiency and water conservation requirements in off-site construction.
“Off-site construction has proven to be an effective solution to addressing multiple challenges, including the affordable housing crisis,” said Ryan Colker, vice president of innovation for the ICC Code Council in the release. “Rhode Island took the opportunity to update its program to capture best practices in administering the state’s offsite construction program and highlights the state’s significant commitment to improving safety and accessibility of buildings”.
