ICC Permit Technician Practice Exam

What is the status of the appendices of the code?

1. They apply to existing buildings

2. They only serve as guidelines

3. They strictly enforce compliance

4. They do not apply unless specifically adopted

The correct answer is: They do not apply unless specifically adopted

The status of the appendices in building codes is that they do not apply unless specifically adopted by a jurisdiction. This means that appendices are not automatically part of the code and their provisions may not be enforceable unless a local authority decides to adopt them through their own legislative process. Building codes are created with various components, including core regulations and appendices that provide additional information or options. These appendices can include recommendations, regulatory guidance, or supplementary benchmarks, but they are considered optional and need explicit adoption to be enforceable. This understanding is important for permit technicians and builders, as it highlights the need to consult local amendments or adopted regulations to determine which parts of the code, including any appendices, are applicable to a particular project.