ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria, commonly abbreviated AC, are used in building-product evaluation when a product, system, or material needs a defined path for code-compliance review. They are especially important when qualification depends on documented testing, engineering evidence, and a clear connection to an ICC-ES evaluation report.
For laboratories and manufacturers, an AC designation often signals more than a document number. It can influence the loading method, specimen setup, seismic or anchorage workflow, instrumentation needs, and reporting discipline required to support product approval.
ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria (AC)
ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria are part of the ICC-ES evaluation process for building products and construction-related systems. They are developed for use in ICC-ES evaluations and are commonly applied when a product is innovative, specialized, or not fully covered by prescriptive code text alone.
That makes AC documents highly practical for test planning. Instead of pointing to one generic material test, an AC often defines a product-specific qualification path that may combine structural testing, installation-related evidence, seismic testing, anchorage performance, and formal report support.
Quick Definition
AC is the designation used for ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria. In practical terms, it is an evaluation criteria system used to support ICC-ES reports on specific building products, components, and methods.
Why ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria Matter in Testing
AC documents matter because they help define what evidence is needed to evaluate a product for code-compliance review within the ICC-ES system. For a laboratory, that can shape specimen preparation, loading sequence, instrumentation, acceptance checks, and the way results are documented.
They also matter for equipment selection. A criterion focused on a reinforcing-bar splice, an anchor, or a framing member commonly points to structural loading equipment, while a seismic qualification criterion may point to shake-table testing and dynamic instrumentation. The AC number therefore helps determine both the testing workflow and the reporting path.
Common Materials or Application Areas Covered
The AC catalog spans a wide range of construction products, so the relevant application area depends on the specific designation. Many widely used AC documents connect to structural components, anchorage systems, framing products, and building-envelope materials.
Common application areas: Reinforcing bar splice systems, concrete and masonry anchorage products, nonstructural seismic components, cold-formed steel framing members, and other building products evaluated for code compliance.
Common Test Types
Test activity under an AC can range from straightforward mechanical loading to dynamic qualification work. The exact method depends on the criterion title, the product type, and the evidence required for the evaluation report.
Common workflows: Static structural load testing, tension and compression qualification, anchorage pullout and shear testing, seismic shake-table testing of nonstructural components, and deformation or displacement measurement tied to component performance.
How to Read an AC Designation
ICC-ES AC designations begin with the prefix AC followed by a number, such as AC133. Current ICC-ES listings may also show the newest referenced code edition in parentheses, such as AC133 (24), and may include edition labels such as 2nd Edition for major updates or compliance-date changes.
Revision letters may be added to track later revisions, and some Canadian criteria use a CA suffix. When ordering tests or reviewing documents, it is important to match the full designation shown in the current ICC-ES listing rather than relying only on the base number.
Featured Standards / Methods / References
A few AC designations are especially recognizable because they clearly map to distinct laboratory workflows and equipment needs.
AC133: Mechanical Splice Systems for Steel Reinforcing Bars. This commonly connects with controlled structural loading, splice qualification, and deformation measurement.
AC156: Seismic Certification by Shake-table Testing of Nonstructural Components. This commonly points to dynamic seismic test equipment, fixtures, and instrumentation.
AC46: Cold-formed Steel Framing Members. This commonly connects with component qualification, load application, and reporting support for framing products.
Standards / Methods by Application Area
Because the AC catalog covers many building-product categories, the right workflow depends on the specific criterion and product scope.
Structural connection and reinforcement work: Criteria for anchors, inserts, reinforcing-bar splices, and related components often rely on load application, fixture control, and deformation measurement.
Seismic qualification: Criteria for nonstructural components can require shake-table testing and instrumentation tied to prescribed motion input and documented response.
Framing and product qualification: Criteria for framing, sheathing, siding, membranes, and related construction products may combine mechanical testing with dimensional checks and installation-oriented reporting.
Equipment Commonly Used with These Standards / Methods / References
AC documents do not point to one universal machine. Equipment should be selected around the exact criterion, specimen, loading mode, and evidence requirements.
Universal testing machines and structural load frames: Common for tension, compression, shear, and component qualification work tied to structural criteria such as splices, anchors, and framing members.
Shake tables and dynamic instrumentation: Common where seismic certification is required for nonstructural components and assemblies.
Anchor and fastening fixtures: Common where installed products must be tested for pullout, shear, embedment, or connection behavior in concrete or masonry substrates.
Data acquisition and reporting support: Important for traceability, calibration control, specimen identification, and preparation of the documented evidence used in evaluation reports.
Related Standards Organizations or Related Frameworks
ICC-ES acceptance criteria are commonly used alongside model-code and evaluation-report processes rather than as stand-alone consensus test methods. The related context usually includes the ICC-ES report pathway and the code provisions cited in that report.
Related frameworks: ICC-ES Evaluation Reports, International Code Council model codes, and the ICC-ES Evaluation Committee approval process.
Talk With NextGen About AC-Related Test Equipment
If your team is working to an ICC-ES acceptance criterion, the best equipment choice depends on the exact AC number, product type, load case, and reporting obligations. NextGen can help match AC-related workflows with practical machines, fixtures, instrumentation, and data-capture tools for qualification and evaluation work.