---
title: ICC Off-Site Construction
---
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#### Solutions for Today’s Challenges
# What is Off-Site Construction?
The process of constructing buildings or components of buildings in a factory to increase quality, sustainability and job site safety to project completion over site-building projects. The International Code Council helps project teams and communities unlock the potential of off-site construction.
[Watch video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXD1mnvHn8g)
Home
[Off-Site](https://www.iccsafe.org/)
## Benefits
### Breaking Ground with Off-Site Construction
The Code Council’s off-site construction solutions confront the multiple challenges that the building industry faces today; from affordable housing to more sustainable practices.
**Off-Site Construction Stats**
\- Project timelines can be accelerated by 20 to 50%
\- Potential for more than 20% cost savings
\- Lower wastage rates providing both environmental benefits and cost savings
\- Improved project quality
Develop quality and safe structures
Increase the workforce and job opportunities
Positively impact the environment
Speed to market
Make housing more affordable
Safer job sites for workers
### International Code Council Off-Site Construction Solutions
Access Digital Codes for off-site residential and commercial construction.
[Learn More](https://codes.iccsafe.org/?hsLang=en)
### Off-Site Site Explained
Off-Site construction is a modular building, modular component or panelized system that is wholly or in substantial part fabricated or assembled in manufacturing plants for installation—or assembly and installation—on a separate building site and has been manufactured in such a manner that all parts or processes cannot be inspected at the installation site without disassembly, damage to, or destruction thereof.
##### The Benefits
Modular construction can speed construction by as much as
50%
In the right environment and trade-offs, it can cut costs by
20%
#### The Different Types of Off-Site Construction
Volumetric is a type of modular construction that assembles fully enclosed 6 sided building blocks at an Off-Site construction location and then joins each block at the final site to create a larger structure. Structures include both residential or commercial buildings.
Examples:
- Bathroom or Kitchen pods
- Tiny Homes
- Shipping Containers
- Modules
Non-volumetric is another type of Off-Site constructions that involves the assembly of smaller parts of the structure that help create the main structure of the building.
Examples:
- Wall, ceiling and foundation panels
- Mechanical racking
- Headwalls
##### The Benefits
Modular construction can speed construction by as much as
50%
In the right environment and trade-offs, it can cut costs by
20%
#### Complexity and scale of modular construction
##### Complexity
More complex
Fully functional with complex fixtures
Medium complexity
Limited fixtues in one or more materials
Less complex
Largely structural (concrete, steel, or wood)
Fully serviced and finished single unit
Fully serviced and finished walls
Fully serviced and finished room
Fully serviced and finished house
Transitional single unit
Pre-finished panel
Pre-finished room
Pre-finished house
Single discipline, individual units
Panels
Volumetric units
Complete structures
Scale
### Third party approvals
#### Working With A Recognized Leader
Third party plan reviews save time and money by expediting the approval process. [ICC NTA](https://www.icc-nta.org) has been doing plan reviews and inspections for the off-site construction industry for over 40 years, ensuring manufacturers and projects meet or exceed state and local requirements.
#### How can ICC help?
The International Code Council works directly with manufacturers to inspect, review and evaluate modular systems to analyze code compliance. The Code Council partners with the Modular Building Institute to develop standards to support consistency and efficiency in planning, design, fabrication to assembly, inspection, and regulatory compliance.
### off-site CONSTRUCTION solutions
##### Design, Fabrication and Assembly
[ICC/MBI Standard](https://shop.iccsafe.org/icc-mbi-1200-2021-standard-for-off-site-construction-planning-design-fabrication-and-assembly.html) 1200 provides the off-site construction industry with the requirements for the safe and efficient deployment of off-site construction projects
##### Design
The [ICC NTA](https://www.icc-nta.org) Engineering Department can provide you with complete engineering calculations and analysis to ensure code compliance for all off-site construction projects
##### Fabrication
[IAS](https://www.iasonline.org) offers accreditation for manufacturers and fabricators of metal buildings and shipping containers to verify that these buildings and components meet industry standards and [IAS](https://www.iasonline.org) accreditation criteria
[**ICC ES**](https://www.icc-es.org) provides product evaluations for multiple components used in off-site construction including shipping containers and sandwich panels and can work with other innovative technologies to support wider use in the market.
##### Compliance Standards
[ICC/MBI Standard](https://shop.iccsafe.org/icc-mbi-1200-2021-standard-for-off-site-construction-planning-design-fabrication-and-assembly.html) 1205 provides criteria for the effective and efficient approval of off-site construction manufacturers and projects
##### Plan Review and Inspection
[ICC NTA’s](https://www.icc-nta.org) third-party [plan review](https://www.icc-nta.org/services/planreview/) and [inspection](https://www.icc-nta.org/services/inspections/) services help ensure your structures meet or exceed requirements for quality, safety and performance
[**IAS**](https://www.iasonline.org) accreditation assesses third-party service provider’s policies and procedures for providing quality [plan review](https://www.icc-nta.org/services/planreview/) and [inspections](https://www.icc-nta.org/services/inspections/)
### Icc off-site solutions
###### [Off-Site Construction Standards/Guidelines](https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/standards/is-osmc/)
ICC/MBI Standard 1200 for Off-Site Construction: Planning, Design, Fabrication, and Assembly
ICC/MBI Standard 1205 for Off-Site Construction: Inspection and Regulatory Compliance
ICC G5-2019 for the Safe Use of ISO Intermodal Shipping Containers Repurposed as Buildings and Building Components
###### What is your role?
RO.
###### Regulatory Official
MFR.
###### Manufacturer
COM.
###### Components
TPA.
###### Third party agency
Back
###### Role
RO.
###### Regulatory Official
###### Select your solution
NTA
ICC-ES
ICC
Back
###### Role
MFR.
###### Manufacturer
###### Select your solution
NTA
ICC-ES
IAS
Back
###### Role
COM.
###### Components
###### Select your solution
IAS
ICC-ES
Back
###### Role
TPA.
###### Third Party Agency
###### Select your solution
IAS
ICC
Back
Solutions
Who is ?
### Case study
##### Into the future
#### Visual cues: Inside ICC NTA’s first all-virtual modular plant inspection
[Learn more](https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-dives/visual-cues-inside-icc-ntas-first-all-virtual-modular-plant-inspection/)
##### Trending
#### Emerging technologies in building construction: Alternative methods and designs that...
[Learn more](https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/emerging-technologies-in-building-construction-alternative-methods-and-designs-that-decrease-construction-time-and-increase-housing-affordability/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=178592534&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8Q_dYpbb14Atmo2wNd_WtovrFHIjSmqNu-VILqOsJTeviSTdl78WSM5g8E7CrkwkttCQ_p3GBPhIt4_-wpMQrgqbbR_g&utm_content=178592534&utm_source=hs_email)
Utilizing intermodal shipping containers as building materials in the construction of Off-Site constructed and site-built homes, as well as equipment shelters, modular data centers and a variety of other buildings and structures, is a trend that is becoming more common these days.”
**Paul Messplay**
Code and regulation specialist with the Virginia
Department of Housing and Community Development
### Off-Site Construction Standards
##### ICC/MBI 1200/2021 Standard for Off-Site Construction: Planning, Design, Fabrication, and Assembly
Includes planning and preparation requirements for Off-Site construction
##### ICC/MBI 1205/2021 Standard for Off-Site Construction Inspection and Regulatory Compliance
Includes the requirements for inspection, approval, and regulatory compliance of Off-Site residential and commercial construction
### OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION TODAY
###### [July 21, 2022 Periodicals Delivering Affordability and Sustainability through Off-site Construction Uniformity](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/ZJO2CBByxzC7pj1GTzd3Jo?domain=gbdmagazine.com/)
###### [News Release May 9, 2021 Periodicals 2020 World of Modular Annual Convention and Tradeshow](https://www.iccsafe.org/about/periodicals-and-newsroom/the-international-code-council-showcases-off-site-construction-solutions-at-the-2020-world-of-modular-annual-convention-and-tradeshow/)
###### [News Release Aug 23, 2021 Periodicals Different Types of Off-Site Construction Units](https://www.icc-nta.org/different-types-of-off-site-construction-units/)
##### Contact The Code Council to Learn More About Off-Site Construction
### FAQS
###### Q: Why is there a growing interest in off-site construction?
The use of off-site construction is expected to increase significantly as the building industry and society struggles to address key challenges including the availability of affordable housing, a lack of skilled workers, material use and sustainability, job site safety and industry productivity.
###### Q: What is off-site construction? Pre-Fab? Modular?
Off-site construction (also called pre-fab or modular construction) is defined by the [National Institute of Building Sciences Off-Site Construction Council](https://www.nibs.org/page/oscc)as, “the planning, design, fabrication and assembly of building elements at a location other than their final installed location to support the rapid and efficient construction of a permanent structure. Such building elements may be prefabricated at a different location and transported to the site or prefabricated on the construction site and then transported to their final location.” Often, the broad concept of off-site construction is broken into additional characteristics including open versus closed construction, permanent versus relocatable and manufactured housing versus modular housing versus tiny homes.
###### Q: What is the difference between open construction and closed construction?
Closed construction means that the final product cannot be inspected at the installation site without disassembly, damage or destruction. Open construction still allows for inspection of the product at the installation site. The fact that a closed construction product cannot be readily inspected at installation has caused the regulatory process to move into the factory. Examples of open construction include mechanical racking and certain panels (without embedded MEP for instance). Examples of closed construction include volumetric modules, pods, and some panelized systems.
###### Q: What is the difference between permanent and relocatable off-site construction?
Relocatable buildings include job site trailers and similar buildings intended to be reused and transported to different sites. They are covered by [Chapter 31, Section 3113 of the International Building Code](https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2018P4/chapter-31-special-construction?hsLang=en#IBC2018P4_Ch31_Sec3113). In contrast, permanent construction is intended to remain at its initial place of assembly.
###### Q: What is the difference between manufactured housing, modular housing and tiny homes?
Manufactured housing is built on a permanent chassis and is subject to the requirements contained in the [Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards](https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2018P4/chapter-31-special-construction?hsLang=en#IBC2018P4_Ch31_Sec3113)developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Modular housing is subject to the code requirements of the final jurisdiction — typically based on the [International Residential Code](https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2018P3?hsLang=en). Tiny homes are typically less than 400 sq.ft. and are covered by [Appendix Q of the International Residential Code.](https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2018P3/appendix-q-tiny-houses?hsLang=en)
###### Q: Off-site construction components can come from factories hundreds or even thousands ofmiles away from my jurisdiction. How can I assure that they are safe?
Many states have a modular or industrialized building program that regulates closed construction components manufactured off-site for any project located in the state. The program sets requirements for plan review, inspection and labeling. [ICC/MBI Standard 1205, Standard for Off-Site Construction: Inspection and Regulatory Compliance](https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/standards/is-osmc/)will include best practices for the regulation of off-site construction.
###### Q: What about off-site components coming from outside the country?
Because off-site construction components are designed to be transported, in some cases they can economically be constructed in one country and transported to another country. As with all off-site construction, the components still need to comply with requirements in place where they will be installed. So, factories in these countries are still subject to plan review and factory inspection requirements. [NTA](https://www.icc-nta.org)currently provides such services for factories in Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Poland and China that are building modules for the U.S. market.
###### Q: How do I know if an off-site component has been approved under a state modular orindustrialized building program?
Most state programs require closed construction components to include a label indicating that they have been designed and fabricated in conformance with the requirements of the state program.
###### Q: Do state programs cover open construction off-site construction components?
Because they are open, these components can be readily inspected at the job site to assure that they comply with requirements of the local code. However, these components could still be unfamiliar to a code official or contain products or materials that must meet specific requirements. In this case, a product evaluation from a recognized source like the [ICC Evaluation Service](https://icc-es.org/)can help instill confidence.
###### Q: What if my state doesn’t have a modular or industrialized buildings program?
Without a state program, regulation of off-site construction falls to the local jurisdiction where the project is located. This can certainly present challenges as the factory may be located outside the local jurisdiction but still require inspection prior to final assembly. In most cases, the local AHJ can allow third-party plan review and inspection agencies like [NTA](https://www.icc-nta.org/)to fulfill this role, limiting the AHJ’s expenditure of resources for inspecting these projects.
###### Q: Who does the plan review and inspection of off-site construction?
While requirements vary from state to state, there are two main processes for the [plan review](https://www.icc-nta.org/services/planreview/) and [inspection](https://www.icc-nta.org/services/inspections/) of off-site closed construction. Either the state conducts all [plan review](https://www.icc-nta.org/services/planreview/) and [inspection](https://www.icc-nta.org/services/inspections/) internally or they allow the use of recognized third-parties like [NTA](https://www.icc-nta.org) to provide these functions.
###### Q: What are the differences between the evaluations provided by ICC ES and approvals by NTA?
[ICC ES](https://www.icc-es.org) typically provides Evaluation Service Reports (ESRs) for open construction products that do not require separate plan review or for closed construction products that are highly replicable or commoditized. [NTA](https://www.icc-nta.org) provides third party plan review and inspection services for closed construction products that are subject to the HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, state modular or industrialized building programs or would otherwise be difficult to inspect outside of the manufacturing facility.
###### Q: What codes are off-site products designed and constructed to?
With the exception of manufactured housing which is subject to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), all off-site construction must meet the code requirements in place in the jurisdiction it is being assembled. There is not a separate code for off-site construction. [ICC/MBI Standard 1200: Standard for Off-Site Construction: Planning, Design, Fabrication, and Assembly](https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/standards/is-osmc/)and [ICC/MBI Standard 1205: Standard for Off-Site Construction: Inspection and Regulatory Compliance](https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/standards/is-osmc/)are being developed to help streamline the use of off-site construction.
###### Q: Do HUD’s Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards apply to all aspects of manufactured housing or do local jurisdictions have roles and responsibilities?
The HUD standard covers requirements for the design and fabrication of the unit itself. All other aspects of the project including utility hookups, add-on or accessory buildings and structures, foundations, and site conditions are subject to local codes and 24 CFR 3285 – Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards .These are the responsibility of the local AHJ and should be inspected by the local AHJ or qualified third party.
###### Q: What resources does the International Code Council have regarding off-site construction?
The Code Council and its Family of Solutions have developed or are developing multiple resources to help building safety professionals and manufacturers realize the benefits of off-site construction. [Guideline 5](https://shop.iccsafe.org/icc-g5-2019-guideline-for-the-safe-use-of-iso-intermodel-shipping-containers-repurposed-as-buildings-and-building-components.html)covers the use of shipping containers as building materials. Two standards are also currently in development: [ICC/MBI Standard 1200: Standard for Off-Site Construction: Planning, Design, Fabrication, and Assembly](https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/standards/is-osmc/)and [ICC/MBI Standard 1205: Standard for Off-Site Construction: Inspection and Regulatory Compliance](https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/standards/is-osmc/). NTA is a respected provider of third party [plan review](https://www.ntainc.com/services/planreview/)and [inspection](https://www.ntainc.com/services/inspections/)services for the off-site construction industry. ICC-ES provides [evaluation services](https://icc-es.org/evaluation-report-program/)for multiple off-site construction products. IAS provides [accreditation](https://www.iasonline.org/services/)for inspection agencies and manufacturers/fabricators and assemblers. The Learning Center includes a [specialty catalog](https://learn.iccsafe.org/ihtml/application/student/interface.icc2021/index.html?catalog_id=387)of courses for code officials interested in off-site construction. Additional courses are in development. For the latest information consult [iccsafe.org/offsite](https://learn.iccsafe.org/ihtml/application/student/interface.icc2021/index.html?catalog_id=387).
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