Online Platforms for Codes and Standards

I love books, especially code books. I love getting that new code book in the mail, I love holding it in my hand and flipping through its pages, and I love to look over and see it on my physical bookshelf. The reality of books, though, is that they are heavy, bulky, take up space, you can lose track of your notes and highlights, and you can not take your full bookshelf with you wherever you go. With online codes and standards platforms this is possible. These platforms allow the user to easily bookmark, save, and annotate important sections. These platforms provide instant access to every code and standard that the user may need. And these platforms make those code sections, and your notes, easy to share with collaborators and clients.?

The NFPA and ICC each have their own online platforms. A third option, UpCodes, brings all of these together into one place. Below is a brief review and general information on each of these platforms.

Link.nfpa.org

Cost: $9.99 per month

The free view of NFPA codes and standards only provides a read-only file that cannot be marked, shared, or printed. NFPA LiNK, provides the user with full access to the codes and standard. The user can quickly and easily search, bookmark, annotate, and share code sections. This NFPA LiNK interface is visually appealing (it looks like books on a shelf) and user friendly. This program provides access to all NFPA codes and standards and multiple versions of each. This platform offers a feature that none of the others offer, that is offline access. At $9.99 per month, it is the most affordable of the online platforms.?

More information: https://www.nfpa.org/NFPA-LiNK

https://codes.iccsafe.org/signup/trial

Cost: $59.50 per month (members)

The free view of ICC codes only provides a read-only file that cannot be marked, shared, or printed. ICC Digital Codes Premium, provides access to the full library of ICC codes, standards, commentary, study guides, and other documents. This subscription also provides access to the documents that are published under the ICC family of companies, such as from, IAEI, SEAOC, Wiley. Also available are standards from ASHRAE, ANSI, FEMA, RESNET, and others. This platform lets the user search and access codes and standards by state, collection, or publisher.? This is the least user friendly and visually appealing of the platforms. It is also the most expensive.

More information: https://codes.iccsafe.org/premium-features

https://up.codes/

Cost: Free to view, link, copy, print

$33.00 per month for premium features

UpCodes, overall, is the best product and investment. It provides access to codes and standards across a wide range of publishers and organizations including: NFPA, ICC, ANSI, IAPMO, ASHRAE, OSHA, and more. These can be searched by publisher or by jurisdiction. UpCodes contains only the codes and standards that have been adopted into law by a government agency and, therefore, fall under public domain use. The free version of UpCodes allows the user to view, link to, copy, and print code sections. Premium features provide for bookmarking, notes, projects that can be created, saved, and shared with collaborators, illustrative diagrams and commentary, code calculators, and robust search functions. UpCodes provides access to multiple code families and publishers, with links to references within the documents. This platform is user friendly, and easy to navigate and visually appealing.?

More information: https://up.codes/features

In conclusion…

If your work requires codes and standards use and research, you have to get on-board with these online platforms. They increase efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance accuracy. If you primarily deal in the ICC family of codes then perhaps the ICC Digital Codes Premium would be your best option. For jurisdictional code officials, consultants, architects, and those who work across jurisdictions, UpCodes may be your best option. For those who use NFPA specific documents within their industry, such as the fire departments, manufacturers, or occupancy specific functions, and NFPA LiNK subscription may be the best option. Or, perhaps, a combination of one or all of these platforms is what will serve you, the user, best!

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Want to change the world? You might have to change a code or standard first. Learn how with this free guide, Affecting Change Through Codes and Standards.

Have questions, issues, or concerns? Schedule a free consultation with me.

Contact me through my website at, www.aaronj.org.