Increasingly, the public recognizes the important role of building departments in ensuring public
safety. The fine work of building departments is evidenced by the outstanding safety record of
buildings in the U.S. as compared to buildings elsewhere in the world. Awareness of the
importance of their role has induced U.S. building departments to seek a way to demonstrate
their competence, professional qualifications and ability to serve their jurisdictions.
IAS facilitates recognition of building departments through the Building Department
Accreditation Program. IAS offers independent verification that the building department
operates under the highest ethical, legal and technical standards. It is IAS’s goal to enhance the
services of the building departments that provide life-safety and property protection for
communities across the United States.
The criteria used to assess building departments pursuing accreditation is IAS Accreditation
Criteria for Building Departments (AC251). The criteria used to assess building departments in
British Colombia, Canada pursuing accreditation is IAS Accreditation Criteria for Building
Departments in British Columbia, Canada (AC475).