Accommodating innovation in building regulation: Lessons and challenges

Over the past 25 years, building regulations in many countries have become less prescriptive and more functional or performance oriented. Concurrently, there has been an increase in the application of performance-based design concepts and in the use of innovative building methods and materials. In some cases, there has also been an increased reliance on self-certification by design professionals. Each of these changes promises flexibility in design and reduction of regulatory burden. In most cases, the promises are fulfilled. However, there are also cases where some aspect of the system does not work as intended, and buildings are constructed that do not meet performance expectations, sometimes with serious consequences. Focusing on experiences from member countries of the Inter-Jurisdictional Regulatory Collaboration Committee (IRCC), challenges faced and lessons learned from issues associated with accommodating innovation within building regulatory systems are examined: innovation outpacing readiness, a lack of education, the need for increased competency, feedback mechanisms and control. There are also mismatched performance expectations, a lack of performance measures, self-certification issues, and inadequate application of available data and information. This will assist regulators and others to become aware of potential issues and possible solutions.