ICC key terms

A credential issued by the International Code Council that verifies a candidate has passed a written examination and met requirements for a code-related job role, such as inspector, plans examiner, or special inspector.

The International Building Code, a model code that establishes minimum requirements for structural, fire, and life safety of buildings; it is the code most ICC exams test against.

The International Residential Code, a model code covering one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories, addressing construction, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical provisions for residential buildings.

The specific edition and local amendments of a model code that a jurisdiction has legally enacted into law, which governs permitting and inspection within that jurisdiction.

A change a jurisdiction makes to a model code when adopting it, which can add, delete, or modify requirements; exam questions may test the model code unless a local amendment is stated.

An ICC certification that covers multiple inspection disciplines, such as building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical, allowing one inspector to perform all required inspections on a project.

A qualified person certified to perform inspections of specific construction types or methods, such as welding, concrete, bolting, or fireproofing, where the code requires inspection beyond the standard building inspector's scope.

A document prepared by the registered design professional that identifies which special inspections are required, the applicable standards, and the extent of inspection and testing for a project.

A business entity that is accepted by the building official to perform special inspections or testing, typically demonstrating qualifications through accreditation, licensing, or certification of its personnel.

A fabricator whose facilities and quality control procedures have been reviewed and accepted by the building official, allowing reduced special inspection for certain structural work.

The planned system of activities and oversight that ensures a construction process meets specified requirements, including inspections, testing, and documentation performed by an independent party.

The contractor's or fabricator's own internal procedures and checks used to verify that work and materials conform to the approved plans and specifications before acceptance.

A document issued by the building official after final inspection confirming that a building or structure complies with the code and may be legally occupied for its intended use.

A written authorization issued by the building official that allows construction, alteration, or repair work to proceed under the approved plans and applicable code requirements.

The building department's examination of submitted construction documents to verify they comply with the code before a permit is issued and work begins.

Construction documents that have been reviewed and stamped or otherwise accepted by the building official and that govern the work authorized by the permit.

The last inspection performed after construction is complete to confirm all work complies with the approved plans and code, often a prerequisite for a certificate of occupancy.

A tank and connected piping with at least ten percent of its volume below grade, used to store petroleum or hazardous substances and subject to federal and state regulation.

A storage tank located primarily above the ground surface, regulated under different requirements than underground tanks, including secondary containment and spill prevention provisions.

A method or system used to determine whether a regulated storage tank is leaking product into the environment, such as tank tightness testing, monitoring wells, or interstitial monitoring.

A barrier system around a primary tank or piping that captures leaks or spills so released product cannot reach soil or groundwater.

Equipment and practices such as spill buckets, overfill protection, and proper filling procedures designed to stop product from escaping during delivery to a storage tank.

A device or procedure that stops or alerts operators before a tank is filled beyond safe capacity, preventing releases from the fill connection.

A technique that uses sacrificial anodes or impressed current to prevent corrosion of steel tanks and piping in contact with soil or water.

A test that verifies a storage tank and its piping are tight and structurally sound, often required for tightness testing or before returning a tank to service.

A person or business holding a valid state or local license authorizing them to perform specified construction work and to obtain permits for that work.

The individual who meets the experience and examination requirements to obtain a contractor license on behalf of a business and who is responsible for its code-compliant work.

A business or individual hired by a general contractor to perform a specific portion of the work, typically holding its own license for that trade.

The party responsible for overall coordination and execution of a construction project, including scheduling, supervision, and compliance with plans and codes.

A written modification to the contract documents that changes the scope, cost, or schedule of work and must be approved before the affected work proceeds.

A written record of incomplete or deficient items identified near the end of a project that the contractor must correct before final acceptance and closeout.

A written directive from the building official requiring that construction halt because work is unsafe, unpermitted, or not in compliance with the code.

A formal written notice from a code official identifying a code violation and specifying the corrective action required and the deadline for compliance.

A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to a public way, including exit access, the exit, and exit discharge.

The total number of persons for which a building or space is designed, calculated from floor area and use, and used to size exits and egress components.

The period of time, in hours or minutes, that a building element resists fire exposure under standardized test conditions, used to determine required separation and protection.

An approved material or system installed to seal openings and penetrations in fire-rated assemblies so that the assembly maintains its required fire-resistance rating.

The continuous route through which structural loads travel from the point of application down through framing and foundations to the ground.

The visual review of structural elements by the registered design professional or a designated representative to confirm the work generally conforms to the structural plans.