ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria (AC) define the tests and evidence needed to show that a building product or system meets the intent of the building code in North America.
Why AC standards matter in testing
Acceptance Criteria list the mechanical tests — such as tension, shear, or bond of anchors, connectors, and reinforcement — and the pass/fail requirements used in an ICC-ES evaluation report.
What AC criteria cover
AC documents are common for structural connectors, post-installed anchors, reinforcing splices, and similar products, where mechanical load testing on a universal testing machine or frame is required.
How to read an AC designation
An Acceptance Criterion is written as AC followed by a number — for example, AC133 for mechanical splice systems for steel reinforcing bars.