Take a SMARTcodes test drive

An enhanced online demonstration of SMARTcodes, the new, cutting-edge system to automate code compliance checking developed by the International Code Council, is now available for a test drive.

Plan reviewers, code enforcement officials—both in the building department and fire service— architects, engineers, building owners and managers, and other construction professionals can test-drive SMARTcodes at www.smartcodes.org. Users will be able to automatically check a building design for code compliance and provide feedback to the Council via an online survey. Test drivers can choose from a number of Building Information Models (BIMs), place the building in different geographical locations and pick a model checking software to run the code check. With those simple selections, SMARTcodes will automatically check the building for compliance with envelope and lighting provisions of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, highlight areas of non-compliance and provide a three-dimensional view and written description of the code violations. Users can run the demonstration multiple times to pick a new building, see the same building in another region of the country, or use different model checking software.

Visitors also can try out a manual code search feature, access specific code criteria and drill down to relevant referenced standards, code commentary, and code interpretations, as well as related product listing directories that link directly to manufacturers’ product information. The enhanced on-line demonstration, which will run for some time and be regularly updated, opens the door for construction industry professionals to try out auto code checking and manual code searching and provide suggestions to make SMARTcodes even better.

In the future, the Code Council team, which includes AEC3 UK Ltd., Digital Alchemy and Battelle, will expand the SMARTcodes demo with more BIM options, additional codes and federal, state and local code amendments. Further down the road, the SMARTcodes demo will exhibit an e-permitting feature that lets visitors prepare a simulated permit application and submit a BIM for permit and code check. Eventually the SMARTcodes enhanced demo will include the International Building, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes. The final step before releasing SMARTcodes for commercial use will be a beta test where users can code check their own BIMS.

To take a test drive with SMARTcodes, visit www.smartcodes.org.