Building Code Officials Resources

 

“The most effective way to significantly reduce building related property damage, injuries and
loss of life due to earthquakes, wind storms, and floods is through the effective development,
adoption and enforcement of scientifically based building code provisions. The best way to
accomplish that goal is through the nation’s established model building code development
process.”

                  - David A. Harris, FAIA, President, National Institute of Building Sciences

Code Official Meeting 1800

01 The Challenges

Ensuring health, safety, and resilience

Building code officials across the country are contending with outdated codes that fall short of addressing the needs of today's building industry professionals. While 87% of surveyed adults reported being personally impacted by extreme weather events, two-thirds of U.S. jurisdictions still work with old versions of building codes. Codes that have failed to keep up with the growing occurrence of climate change-related threats such as destructive storms, extreme temperatures, fires, and floods, as well as the dire need for eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings. 

To address the challenges facing builders today, building code officials need innovative highly tested materials and new proven building processes that they can adopt to protect their communities and mitigate future tragedies. Importantly, building code professionals have the responsibility to specify eco-friendly materials and building processes that not only address the effects of climate change but contribute to ending it.  

02 Success Outcome

Key Enablers for Building Code Officials Success

Building code officials can now confidently recommend and approve highly tested building materials that introduce innovation, deliver remarkable results, and are readily available.  

Building code officials can support the creation of solutions that enable builders to construct best-in-class high-performance buildings that exceed standards. 

Building code officials can facilitate the design of buildings with disaster resistance using innovative interior and exterior sheathing and floor/roof underlayment boards/panels that provide fire, water, storm, earthquake, and impact protection.

03 The Solution

NEXGEN MgO Boards and Panels

NEXGEN supplies builders with innovative MgO building materials that put health, safety, the environment, economics, and sustainability at the forefront. We help building code professionals enable builders to modernize their building process to create high-performance buildings that are better for the planet and the people who use them. 

Our MgO products are not only fire, water, mold, storm, insect/pest, and earthquake resistant; they are non-toxic, carbon-friendly, require fewer and potentially less skilled trades to install, and are readily available for order.  

Builders can use NEXGEN MgO boards to design custom fire, sound, and strength-rated assemblies that outperform assemblies that solely rely on traditional building materials. Additionally, manufactured Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) built with NEXGEN MgO boards dramatically accelerate build times and also reduce labor costs by 55% when compared to conventional building materials and processes. 

04 CERTIFICATIONS

The Industry's Best MgO Test Data and Certifications

 Not all MgO products are equal. The best test data and certifications back NEXGEN products!  

05 Real World Examples & Testimonials

Builders Love NEXGEN MgO Boards

MgO board has been used worldwide in residential builds as a direct replacement for plywood and OSB for exterior sheathing and subflooring panels, interior and exterior gypsum panels, fiber cement subfloor, and tile backer panels. In the United States, NEXGEN MgO boards and MgO SIPs have passed code in counties with some of the highest standards in code enforcement.

06 FAQS and Objections

You Will Have Questions and Concerns

You will always have questions when investigating a new innovative building material like NEXGEN MgO boards.  Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions from Home Builders. 

What are the downsides of MgO?

MgO is a high-performance building material that has a plethora of advantages; however, some aspects might be considered "downsides," such as how MgO boards are heavier and use stainless steel fasteners when compared to plywood and drywall. Despite these differences, the three materials have the same installation process. 

Will it cost more to build high performance?

MgO is slightly more expensive than legacy sheeting and underlayment. Still, the savings in construction time, insurance, energy, and maintenance costs can more than compensate for the materials needed to deliver a high-performance building. 

Why haven’t I heard of MgO before?

Building with MgO is nothing new. The Great Wall of China is built with MgO. This material, however, wasn't readily available in the USA until recently. Since most builders haven't had access to this product, there is little public knowledge about MgO and its benefits.

Why should we choose NEXGEN?

We enable our clients to build high-performance homes with materials that yield greater health, safety, long-term financial savings, energy savings, and sustainability. 

07 Take These Next Steps

Your MgO Action Plan

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To experience the benefits of NEXGEN MgO products firsthand, our successful High Performance MgO home builders have used the following 7 Step MgO Action Plan.  

  1. Request MgO samples 
  2. Review MgO Technical and Safety specs 
  3. Schedule a NEXGEN MgO consultation
  4. Review MgO advantages and logistics with local builders
  5. Work to enhance local building codes to permit MgO
  6. Perform onsite inspections of MgO construction sites 
  7. Monitor the ongoing performance of MgO buildings