What code establishes minimum construction standards in the United States?

The International Building Code (IBC) serves as a model code that establishes minimum construction standards across the United States. It is developed and updated by the International Code Council (ICC) and is widely adopted by many jurisdictions to regulate building design and construction. The IBC focuses on safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and other critical areas to ensure that structures are built to maintain health and safety standards.

The reason for its adoption as the standardized building code lies in its comprehensive coverage of various construction aspects, which facilitates uniformity across different states and localities. The IBC is intended to be adaptable and is frequently revised to incorporate new technologies and methods in building construction.

The other options, while related to building codes, are either older systems or codes that have been largely replaced by the IBC or are limited to specific states or regions. The National Building Code (NBC) and the Uniform Building Code (UBC) have historically been influential but have largely been succeeded by the IBC for broader application. The State Building Code (SBC) can vary significantly from one state to another, which does not establish a uniform standard throughout the country.