Technology Acceptance Planning Brings New Building Products to Market Faster

New and innovative building products or technologies can be terrific tools to build better housing in a more cost-effective way. These new innovations, however, can only achieve market success if they meet building codes, standards, and regulations adopted at the federal, state, and local levels. Moreover, codes and regulations may also hinder the deployment of a new technology by requiring testing, retesting and possibly redesign.

Technology acceptance planning – the timely and parallel consideration of building regulations and research, development, and design – can greatly enhance the probability of market success for new building products and technology.

"Getting Building Technology Accepted: Developing and Deploying New Building Technologies," a new report by HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research and the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), is intended to facilitate the acceptance of new building technology by helping developers and proponents of innovative building products to more effectively plan for and address technology acceptance and approval.

“Getting Building Technology Accepted” defines and describes the benefits of technology acceptance planning; provides a general overview of how building regulations, standards, and model codes are developed, adopted, implemented, and enforced; and describes who is involved in those processes. The report then goes on to discuss activities associated with developing and implementing a successful technology acceptance plan.

In the end, the report recommends the following activities to develop and implement a successful technology acceptance plan:
· Identify existing codes and standards affecting the technology.
· Review and assess those documents and other regulations to identify problems or opportunities.
· Develop a rationale and support documentation showing that technology complies with the intent of existing building regulations.
· Secure an evaluation report verifying the technology's compliance with relevant codes.
· Conduct required conformity assessment activities.
· Develop informational materials that describe the technology and code compliance.
· Disseminate informational materials to code officials, builders, designers, and others.
· Monitor technology acceptance in the field.
· Conduct field research to shape the next version of the technology.

As part of the implementation of a new product or technology, other issues that might also be considered include:
· Develop new standards or revise existing standards.
· Conduct research and prepare documentation in support of standards.
· Secure approval of standards.
· Revise codes and develop supporting documentation.
· Secure approval of revised codes.

By using the approaches in this report, product innovators and proponents will better understand the issues associated with codes and standards and be better prepared to develop successful strategies to bring new products to the marketplace. These new products will, in turn, contribute to the development of safer, better, and more affordable housing for all Americans.