Code Support

Code Consultant
Code Organization Reference Guide

Code Consultant

This invaluable tool allows members answers to specific questions regarding your awning projects.

Paul Armstrong, P.E., CBO

With more than 30 years of building safety management experience, Paul teaches regularly for California Building Officials (CALBO) and has developed several CALBO training courses. As a Chief Building Official, he managed building plan review, counter assistance, and inspection for Southern California agencies. Additionally, Paul was responsible for development of new business for inspection and plan review services for jurisdictions across the United States. His previous experience at International Code Council (ICC) included leading the Architectural and Engineering Services Department, International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) Technical Services Department, and he was also the original drafting secretariat for development of the 2000 International Residential Code.

Paul earned his BS in Civil Engineering from California State University, Long Beach and has received numerous awards including CALBO Instructor of the Year and CALBO Course Developer Merit Award. Paul has participated on various local, state-wide and national committees including the ICC Residential Energy Code Development Committee, the ICC Building Official Membership Council, Governing Committee, the CALBO State Code Committee, and the CALBO Building/Fire Advisory Committee. Paul Armstrong is the definitive expert for your residential, building, and fire code consulting needs.

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Code Organization Reference Guide

Abbreviation Organization Name Code/Standard Currently Monitoring Description
ICC International Code Council IBC and IFC IBC is the International Building Code and IFC is the International Fire Code. ICC is an organization that writes, accredits, publishes and maintains codes and standards and holds an annual Code Hearings.
ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE 7 and ASCE 55 ASCE is an organization of civil engineers that publishes standards for structural loads on buildings and other structures. ASCE 7 is the Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. ASCE55 is the design standard for Tensile Membrane Structures.
ASI Air Structure Institute ASI 77 and ICC 550 ASI 77 is an Air Structure Design and Standards Manual that includes air structure design criteria and guidelines for product design and performance. The manual was revised by an FSA committee in 2024. FSA is currently going through a process to have the manual accredited by ICC. The manual will become known as ICC 550.
OSFM Office of State Fire Marshal—California Code of Regulations Title 19 The Office of the California State Fire Marshal monitors and writes codes and regulations and has specific committees set up for that purpose. Title 19 is in CA regulations for fabric used in building and other projects.
NFPA National Fire Protection Association NFPA – 701
NFPA – 705		 The National Fire Protection Association is an organization that writes, accredits, publishes and maintains codes and standards. NFPA-701 is the Standard Methods of Fire Test for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. NFPA-705 is the Recommended Practice for a Field Flame Test for Textiles and Films.
ANSI American National Standards Institute ANSI provides the guidelines for consensus standards development. They also do maintain certain standards.