The BSJ Weekly will be taking a break from publication for Veterans Day. We'll be back in your inboxes with the latest news on November 18. In the meantime, you may want to use the holiday as an opportunity to catch up on any recent stories you missed.
Robin Yochum: Bringing vision to the energy code committee
Robin Yochum, an incoming vice chair of the Residential Energy Code Consensus Committee, is looking forward to applying some of her acquired expertise as an energy program manager in the Nevada Governor's Energy Office to working on the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. "We have turned our focus toward carbon reduction, and have found that energy efficiency, especially, is one of the pillars supporting these goals." Read more
Emerging technologies in building construction
New construction concepts such as 3D-printed homes, shipping container homes and tiny homes are the three horsemen of modernity, ushering in new and creative design spaces to provide more affordable housing options to consumers. Read more
Don't miss attending ICC Learn Live
Join us this fall for the virtual education summit that brings together industry experts and your fellow code professionals to learn the latest on topics such as AEC digital transformation, technology collaboration solutions, building to improve communities and unique building structures. Registration is open for ICC Learn Live, the Code Council's premiere fall educational event being held from Nov. 15-18, 2021. (Those who registered for the ICC Annual Conference will receive a complimentary registration to ICC Learn Live.) Register now
Code Council chapters honored for extraordinary performance
Each year, the International Code Council recognizes chapters that are a reflection of what the association stands for and that promote its mission and goals. The Code Council honored several outstanding chapters for their accomplishments and contributions at the Chapter Presidents Meeting on Sept. 20, 2021, during the ICC Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chapter Merit Award winners — the Chemeketa Chapter and the Los Angeles Basin Chapter — were recognized and the prestigious Chapter of the Year Award was presented to the Central Arizona Chapter. Read more
The Federal Emergency Management Agency released a new series of guides to expanding mitigation that highlight innovative and emerging partnerships for mitigation, illustrating how communities can better support hazard mitigation projects and planning by engaging other sectors. The “Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Codes and Standards” explains how to benefit from diverse codes and standards — such as the Code Council’s International Energy Conservation, Plumbing, Wildland-Urban Interface and Zoning Codes, which are referenced in the guide — and how to work with departments to adopt and enforce codes that increase community resilience. Read more
Significant changes to fixture drains serving as trap priming
An addition to Section 1002.4.1.5 (Fixture Drains Serving as a Trap Priming Method) of the 2021 International Plumbing Code states that waste from lavatories and hand sinks can be directed to floor drains, trench drains or floor sinks where such floor fixtures require a trap primer. Read more
Hands-on experience key for Jeff Finch earning his certification
Building and pride in his work have always been important to Jeff Finch, building inspector II for the city of Olympia, Washington. “Back when I was a young carpenter, I used to sign every set of stairs I built, kind of like an artist signs a painting.” Since then, Finch has been building toward earning a Certified Building Official certification and recently put his mark on his goal by earning the International Code Council’s Building Plans Examiner certification. Read more
Meet Code Council member Jeffrey Surlet
Jeffrey Surlet, a senior building inspector in Colorado, has been in the construction industry for 43 years and seen many changes in technology and the education of construction professionals. A desire to become a building inspector led him to become a Code Council member: “I started as a carpenter's assistant building apartments. I was hurt after 10 years on the job and was then re-trained as a computerized estimator for general contractors. I've always thought I would end my construction career as a building inspector.” Read more
Study: Roof replacement yields huge energy benefits POLYISOCYANURATE INSULATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
Roof replacement projects not only keep institutional and commercial facilities dry and safe from the elements, they also can help facilities reduce energy use and carbon emissions, a recent study revealed. The study looked at buildings such as schools, retail stores, strip malls, and small office buildings. Read more
Achieving ADA compliance for door hardware CONSTRUCTION SPECIFIER
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law in the United States designed to make public spaces more accessible to people with disabilities. There are several key considerations for door hardware to comply with ADA requirements such as the approach to the door, the opening clearance, thresholds, surfaces, operating hardware, closing speed, opening force, and exit door signage. Read more
