Perceptions of PB building codes and PB design

Thank you for taking this survey.  The aim of this survey is to collect perceptions / perspectives / opinions about performance-based building codes (regulations) and performance-based design methods. It covers a broad range of topics, from general perceptions, to structure of performance-based building codes, to demonstration of compliance. It also asks for some comparison to prescriptive building regulations.

    This survey has 30 questions.  Many are structured as multiple choice or fixed response (i.e., strongly agree, agree, disagree...) to assist in assessing the results. However, there are some options to add comments and items to consider.  You should expect that this survey may take you 30-60 minutes to complete.  Should you decide to take the survey, it would be helpful if you complete the full survey. Thank you.

     The survey is structured into five Parts: (1) Overview, (2) Demographics, (3) Performance-Based Code (Regulation) Structure and Components, (4) Performance-Based Design Components, and (5) Additional Information.  It does not matter whether you have experience with performance-based building codes (regulations) and design or not -- if fact, it is important to have perspectives from those with and without experience.  This is important to influencing future research and code development potential. 

     For the purpose of this survey "performance-based codes" encompass those codes (regulations) which are primarily limited to stating objectives, functional requirements and performance requirements that a building should achieve, without specifying (prescribing) how (e.g., maintain stability when subject to expected loads; limit energy usage to X kWhr/m2 of floor area). Likewise, "prescriptive-based codes" encompass codes (regulations) which provide a great deal of specification and detail on how a building and its systems are to be designed (e.g., size of a structural member; travel distance to an exit). While "prescriptive-based codes" may have some performance requirements, generally "performance-based codes" do not prescribe specific required solutions.

     Similarly, "performance-based design" reflects the process of designing to specific performance objectives and criteria, without the need to demonstrate "equivalency" to a prescribed solution. "Prescriptive-based design" reflects design that makes use of highly-specified parameters within the code (e.g., minimum width of a corridor; maximum travel distance to an exit; required fire resistance rating) that set a benchmark. If all design parameters are limited by the code (as a benchmark), that is considered "prescriptive-based design", even if engineering calculations are required.

     We are particularly interested in perspectives from the USA, but welcome and encourage perspectives from around the world as well. We would like input from all sectors in the built environment, e.g., designers, engineers, regulators, enforcement officials, manufacturers, insurance, etc. The demographic data will help us compare perspectives across sectors and countries.

    You will not be asked for your name, email, or other personal identifying information. If you would like to follow progress on this project, you will be able to find outcomes, updates and future survey information posted on the project website (https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/performance-code/). 

     Thank you again for your interest and for completing this survey!