The three founding groups, Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), and Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI), previously published the National Codes, Uniform Codes and Standard Codes series, respectively. The International Code Series subsequently replaced the codes previously published by these organizations.

Why should you care about International codes, if you are based in the United States? Several reasons:

• Many jurisdictions in the USA have adopted International Codes--sometimes in addition to other codes, sometimes in place of them.
• Many owners (construction customers) are bound by International Codes, due to corporate policies--especially if the parent company is based outside the USA.
• Code convergence is increasing. Other codes are becoming more like the International Codes with each code cycle.
• Conforming to these codes, even if not specifically required to do by the local authority having jurisdiction, can make a huge difference in a liability suit.
• The International Codes, if not required in your jurisdiction, can fill some "holes" in other applicable codes for engineering or design quality purposes. Thus, they make it easier for you to "sell" to the customer the right way to do the job. You have an authoritative basis for the "price hike" you are proposing over a less suitable design.
• If you are not using International Codes now, you will be. Get in the habit of working with these codes.