The primary purpose of testing a representative sample of a product or material under the International Building Code (IBC) is to verify compliance with relevant standards. Compliance testing ensures that materials and products meet the necessary safety, structural, and performance requirements stipulated in the code. This process serves to protect the safety of occupants and users by ensuring that the materials used in construction are reliable and designed to perform as expected.
Testing provides evidence that the materials adhere to established specifications, which can include aspects like strength, durability, and fire resistance. This verification process is crucial for regulatory authorities, builders, and designers to assure that the materials used in construction projects will perform adequately under various conditions, thus maintaining public safety and integrity in building practices.