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WMA Regulatory Affairs Update – May 2026

It’s a Wrap: ICC Public Comment Hearings for the 2027 I-Codes

The International Code Council is nearing the conclusion of its 2024–2026 code development cycle, which will culminate in the publication of the 2027 edition of the ICodes. Public Comment Hearings for the Group A and Group B codes were held in Hartford, Connecticut, from April 19–23, where WMA participated to oppose three proposals affecting side-hinged exterior doors that advanced to the public comment stage.


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All three proposals — RB113, RB115, and RB304 — pertained to side-hinged exterior doors within the IRC (International Residential Code). Each proposal had previously been considered during two Committee Action Hearings last year — CAH1 in the spring and CAH2 in the fall — before returning for consideration during the Public Comment Hearings.


RB113 – Egress Door Operation and Opening Force

This proposal sought to expand the door types permitted under Section R318.2 Egress Door to include swinging, pivoted, and balanced doors. In addition, the proposal included language establishing a 30-pound force limit to set a door in motion and a maximum 15pound force requirement to move the door to the fully open position.


  • At CAH1, WMA opposed the proposed opening-force requirement, citing concerns that it introduced ADA-related accessibility considerations into the IRC. Despite these concerns, the IRC Committee approved the proposal.

  • At CAH2, the National Association of Home Builders submitted a modification seeking removal of the opening-force requirement, arguing that compliance with operational performance standards should remain the responsibility of manufacturers and applicable industry standards, rather than residential code mandates. The proposal also raised concerns regarding increased inspection and enforcement burdens. The IRC Committee agreed and approved the modification removing the force requirement.

  • During the Public Comment Hearings, the original proponent attempted to reinstate the opening-force requirement. Governmental Members, however, voted to uphold the IRC Committee’s CAH2 action removing the requirement. WMA voiced support for maintaining the committee’s action.


RB115 – Door Locking Requirements

This proposal attempted to add new door-locking requirements to Section R318 by creating a new subsection, R318.2 Door Locking, modeled after provisions in the IPMC (International Property Maintenance Code). The proposal would have required entrance doors to dwelling and sleeping units to be equipped with deadbolt locks.


  • WMA opposed the proposal at CAH1, arguing that the issue fell outside the intended scope of the IRC. The IRC Committee unanimously disapproved the proposal on those grounds.

  • The IRC Committee maintained its disapproval at CAH2.

  • At the Public Comment Hearings, the proponent submitted revised language with minor modifications; however, Governmental Members voted to uphold the committee’s prior action and declined to advance the public comment. WMA voiced support to maintain the committee’s disapproval.


What’s Next

The 2027 Code Development Cycle Group A & B Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV) opened on May 8 and will remain open through May 22, 2026. Unofficial voting results are expected to be posted on the ICC website approximately two weeks following the close of voting. Final actions for the 2027 Group A & B code cycle — including validated OGCV results — will be published after certification by the Validation Committee and review by the ICC Board of Directors.


As the 2027 I-Code development cycle approaches its final stages, the outcomes of these hearings underscore the continued importance of industry participation throughout the ICC process. WMA remains actively engaged in monitoring proposals that could significantly affect the design, performance, testing, and regulatory treatment of sidehinged exterior doors and other millwork products. We’ll continue keeping members informed as the 2027 I-Code development cycle moves toward finalization and publication.


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Contact: Jessica Ferris,

Director of WMA Regulatory Affairs & Standards Development

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