Rhode Island is the first state in the country to adopt a building code standard that advances off-site construction of mechanical, electrical and plumbing, energy efficiency and water conservation systems.

The state’s building code standards committee on Dec. 9 approved the adoption of several International Code Council (ICC) and Modular Building Institute standards for off-site construction.

Rhode Island adopted the ICC/MBI 1210 standard for MEP systems, energy efficiency and water conservation in off-site construction. It's also the fourth state this year to adopt the ICC/MBI 1200 and 1205 standards behind Virginia, Utah and Montana. 

All three standards “provide best practices based on existing off-site construction programs and support consistency and efficiency in how off-site construction is approved and inspected,” according to the international council. 

The ICC/MBI 1210 standard includes the incorporation of MEP systems in componentized, panelized or modularized building elements and helps achieve energy efficiency and water conservation requirements in off-site construction.

“Off-site construction has proven to be an effective solution to address multiple challenges including the affordable housing crisis,” said Ryan Colker, the ICC’s code council vice president of innovation said in the statement. “Rhode Island seized the opportunity to update their program to capture best practices in administering the state’s off-site construction program and highlights the state’s significant commitment to enhancing building safety and affordability.”