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New ICC standard to define offsite modular configurations and connections.
The International Code Council (ICC) and the Center for Offsite Construction (CfOC) at the New York Institute of Technology are collaborating to develop a new standard for modular construction. Scheduled for release in May 2026, the CFOC/ICC 1220 Standard on Configurations and Connections for Off-Site Construction is intended to establish clear technical guidance for the configuration and connection of modular building systems.
The standard aims to improve consistency and compatibility across modular projects by specifying requirements for module-to-module and building-to-module connections. It will cover standardised dimensions for modular components and include guidance for componentised, panelised and modularised systems used in multifamily, commercial and institutional developments.
Ryan Colker, executive director of energy, resilience and innovation at the ICC, said the standard is being developed to address current gaps in coordination and quality control. “It will address some of the key challenges in advancing the deployment of off-site construction,” Colker said. “This includes supporting a project pipeline for factories, bringing certainty to developers through the availability of multiple sources for components and increasing efficiency of the fabrication and approval processes.”
Jason Van Nest, director of the CfOC at NYIT, said the collaboration focuses on improving how modular components are designed and connected across different systems and suppliers. “This partnership will support the growth of industrialised construction methods and ensure that off-site construction systems meet the highest standards of performance and interoperability,” he said.
The standard will be published on the ICC’s Digital Codes platform and made available to industry stakeholders involved in modular design, manufacturing, and code compliance. It is expected to serve as a reference point for regulators and practitioners seeking to align off-site construction systems with established building code frameworks.
The initiative follows Rhode Island’s decision to adopt an ICC standard supporting off-site approaches for mechanical, electrical and plumbing, energy efficiency and water systems. That adoption marked the first of its kind in the United States and reflects broader interest in adapting regulatory frameworks to accommodate factory-built construction methods.
The new standard is intended to provide technical clarity for developers, manufacturers and consultants involved in the planning and delivery of modular construction projects.
