The National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021 includes an amendment for the creation of a program on premise plumbing, including metrology research concerning water safety, efficiency, sustainability and resilience. The amendment also requires coordinating research activities with academia, the private sector, nonprofits and federal agencies. The International Code Council supported the inclusion of the amendment and also continues to support stand-alone legislation addressing these issues, both directly and as the chair of the High-Performance Buildings Coalition. Read more
Primer on ICC standards development: Seating the committee
Development committees are at the core of the standards development process. They are responsible for the development of standard content, reviewing public comments and determining what is ultimately included in the standard.
The Code Council Board of Directors held its annual summer meeting from July 15–18, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts. During its first in-person meeting in over a year and a half, the board addressed a wide variety of matters, including an update on National Fire Protection Association activities, revisions to Code Council policies, this year’s awards recipients and honorary member recommendations, and subsidiary board and committee appointments. Learn more
The Empowering Leaders Luncheon during this year’s ICC Annual Conference in Pittsburgh will feature keynote speaker international speaker and business advisor Jennifer McClure, president at Unbridled Talent LLC, who is recognized as an influencer and expert on the future of work, innovative people strategies and high-impact leadership. In her session — Prepare for Impact: Leading Business Transformation in a Post-Pandemic World — McClure will challenge conventional leadership thinking and explore progressive ways to evolve and disrupt traditional business practices. She'll also share actionable insights and creative ideas that leaders can leverage immediately to drive business results and competitive advantage for their organizations through the people that they lead and serve. Learn more
Annual conference ride expanded to a virtual event
This year's annual Bob Fowler Motorcycle Ride has been re-imagined to a virtual ride/walk/run event. Suggested 5K routes will be provided to in-person participants and others around the world can participate virtually in their areas.
Wet venting systems where the drain also serves as the vent is considered by many in the plumbing industry to be one of the best designs for plumbing systems due to its self-scouring function. It also can result in a reduction in cost of materials and labor. Discover more
Significant changes to commercial cooking appliances
A modification to Section 623.2 (Commercial Cooking Appliances) of the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code states that an unnecessary exception for commercial cooking appliances within dwelling units has been deleted.
Meet Code Council member Robert Lennen Building Official, City of Campbell, California
"There is no limit to the direction I may take or to the level of knowledge I chose to gain. I was a construction worker, evolving to a tradesman, a contractor, a designer, an inspector, a plan checker, a building official, perhaps someday a code author. Now that is an exciting and enriching career."
Ginny Rumiser named new Whitman County building inspector
Ginny Rumiser, a permit technician at the front desk in the public works office for Whitman County, Wash., for the past 23 years, was recently named the new county building inspector. Rumiser is a certified residential building inspector and has performed inspections. She takes over for Dan Gladwill, who retired in June after 17 years. Read more
Last chance to weigh in on performance building codes
As we continue to move forward in our effort to understand stakeholder perspectives on performance-based building codes and performance-based design, the Code Council has launched a survey to obtain widespread input from as many disciplines and professions as possible, including architects, engineers, code and fire officials, and more from across all regulated areas (e.g., energy, structure, fire, etc.) from the U.S. and around the world. Open until Aug. 15, 2021, the survey takes about 30 minutes to complete. Please make your voice heard by following this link to complete the survey. Get started
Call for committee for new ICC 1210 standard
The Code Council is currently accepting applications for the Off-Site Construction Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing Standard Consensus Committee (IS-OSMEP). As an ANSI-accredited, standards-developing organization, the Code Council is partnering with the Modular Building Institute in the development of a new comprehensive standard to address mechanical, electrical and plumbing used in off-site construction. This standard will be part of the 1200 series portfolio of standards to address the challenges faced by the off-site construction industry. The deadline to submit applications is Aug. 15, 2021. Apply soon
Code change proposal submittals open for the 2024 IECC, IRC
The International Code Council is currently accepting code change proposals for the development of its 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and Chapter 11 of the International Residential Code (IRC). As established through the Code Council’s energy efficiency framework, the 2024 IECC and Chapter 11 of the IRC will be updated using the Code Council’s American National Standards Institute approved standards process. Read more
Report scores building codes along the hurricane coastline
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety released its Rating the States report assessing building codes, the administration of code provisions and related practices in the 18 Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard states vulnerable to hurricanes.
The Code Council recently debuted its Digital Code's Premium Mobile App for iOS and Android devices that offers the same premium features that are accessible on the Code Council website. It’s easier than ever to search over 400 of the latest codes and standards, find individual code sections, save searches, view notes, search significant code changes, share access and more using its interactive tools and advance features that are only a tap away. Plus, as an added feature, Digital Codes Premium now links the 2021 I-Codes to the Group A code changes. By clicking on the blue “CDP” icon you can find the proposed code change for that section. Discover more
Get ready for FEMA’s 2021 BRIC program
Now in its second year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program is set to award $1 billion for pre-disaster mitigation grants. This is an opportunity for jurisdictions to submit applications for programs and services to improve their code adoption, enforcement and operations because BRIC prioritizes the adoption and enforcement of hazard-resistant building codes and makes funding available for adoption activities. Learn more
Video to share: How to designate GMVRs
The deadline to validate International Code Council Governmental Member Voting Representatives (GMVR) is August 21. This short video takes you through the step-by-step process to designate your voting representatives.
Discover how the standards development process works
Curious about why structural engineers rely on standards such as ASCE 7? Or how does the International Building Code get updated or adopted? Susan Dowty, P.E., S.E., regional manager in the government relations department of the International Code Council, recently joined experts for a conversation about how the standards development process works to improve building standards and codes. The event — #SEILive: Code Development by the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers — is now available to watch online. View video
The foundational role of modern construction standards
Technical standards and building codes have the distinct benefit of providing clear and implementable guidance to governments, builders and societies resulting in quantifiable development outcomes. Judy Zakreski, vice president of global services at the International Code Council, recently shared with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) audience about the work of the Code Council in standards and innovation for building safety, economic recovery and resilient growth in response to the pandemic and climate change. A USAID Standards Alliance partner, the Code Council has been at the forefront of some of these conversations since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Experts share info on new online solar permitting tool
The Code Council’s Chief Knowledge Officer Joan O'Neil joined experts at the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Energy to share how communities can make solar permitting instantaneous with the new Solar Automated Permit Processing Platform Plus (SolarAPP+). An overview of the tool, its success in reducing permitting workload, and clear instructions for how it can be easily deployed using existing permitting software is provided in the online webinar. Watch webinar