Check if your decking is on the List
When selecting a product for your building project, it is important to ensure all selections that need to be code compliant have been evaluated as such. The International Code Council (ICC) is a group of entities that manage different aspects of building codes and product approvals for compliance.
There are several reasons why using an ICC-compliant product is important. Code compliant products receive an ICC product listing called an ICC-ESR (Evaluation Service Report) that confirms the product is safe to use as prescribed. If a product does not possess this code listing, it means the product has not been evaluated for its intended end use. A building inspector can require an unlisted product to be removed from a job site, even if it has already been installed. In addition, having an ICC-ESR listing reduces the liability risk for those who sell, specify, and install the product. These parties could be subject to legal action if the product were to fail, so multiple people are protected by obtaining an ICC product listing.
All decking products except for unaltered graded woods (i.e. tropical hardwoods, cedar, redwoods) require an ICC-ESR to be considered code compliant. Thermally modified wood products require an ICC-ESR because the cell structure, strength, and mechanical properties of the wood are altered during the modification process. Since these properties are altered, their strength, durability, and performance must be evaluated to determine a safety and life span rating. Kebony is an example of a modified wood, and therefore is a listed code-compliant product by the ICC.
View Kebony’s evaluation report here: ESR-3756