The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a new building codes strategy, defining the goals and objectives it will pursue to promote the application, adoption and enforcement of hazard-resistant building codes across the United States. This first-of-its-kind strategy focuses on three core goals: integrating building codes and standards across FEMA, strengthening nationwide capacity for superior building performance, and driving public action on building codes. The goals will drive coordination and prioritize the agency’s activities to advance the adoption and enforcement of hazard-resistant building codes and standards for FEMA programs and communities nationwide. Read more
Safety for all: Building codes in action
Building Safety Month is an international campaign celebrated in May to raise awareness about building safety. The International Code Council and its many partners come together every year to celebrate issues that impact our everyday lives: energy, careers in building safety, emergency management and potable water. The theme for this year's 42nd annual Building Safety Month is "Safety for All: Building Codes in Action" and the 2022 Building Safety Month website is now live and provides proclamations, campaign toolkits, social media graphics and helpful links to promote building safety. We encourage everyone to help us promote Building Safety Month on social media using the hashtag #BuildingSafety365. Join us to raise awareness about the importance of building safety and the role of building safety professionals.
Code of Honor Scholarship site is open
If you are an ICC Governmental Member Voting Representative, don't miss your chance to apply for a Code of Honor Scholarship to support your attendance at the Code Council's Public Comment Hearings being held Sept. 14–21, 2022, in Louisville, Kentucky. The scholarships help ensure that the International Codes reflect the consensus view of officials at all levels of government by providing funding to Governmental Member Voting Representatives seeking to attend and participate in the Public Comment Hearings. The application site is now open and will close on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Read more
Board Shadow Program participant Daniel Dabler
Daniel Dabler, a building inspector for the Clark County Building Department in Washington, participated in the Code Council's Board Shadow Program during the 2021 ICC Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “It couldn’t have come at a better time,” Dabler said. “I was trying to further my career and take on as much as I could to submerge myself in it. The Board Shadow Program is something that takes you from just touching the surface to getting submerged in a big network of great people with tons of experience.” Read more
Palm Bay earns IAS recognition
The building department of the city of Palm Bay, Florida, is the first in the U.S. to be recognized under the new Building Department Recognition program by the International Accreditation Service (IAS). The IAS recognition is for building and code enforcement departments, as well as third-party companies that have demonstrated a commitment to service, safety and continuous improvement. The department’s staff demonstrated that they are committed to public safety and customer service and are eager to set goals that will benefit both their department and the city they serve. Read more
Russ Manning joins Code Council
Russ Manning, former executive director of facility operations and maintenance for the National Facility Services of the Kaiser Permanente Health System, joined the codes and standards department of the International Code Council as deputy senior vice president of technical services. Dr. Manning will succeed Mike Pfeiffer, who has announced his plan to retire in 2023 after serving the Code Council for 36 years. Read more
ICC-ES, ICC NTA gain approval to issue UAE certificates
The Civil Defense Authority of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially added both ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) and ICC NTA to its list of approved international certification bodies and testing laboratories. This recognition from the authority that oversees the UAE Fire Code entrusts the ICC Testing, Inspection and Certification services bodies with reviewing and verifying the test reports of listed fire safety products before they can be sold or used in the UAE. Read more
California competition introduces students to construction
Started by the Construction Industry Education Foundation in 1986, the Design Build Program promotes career awareness of the construction industry among high school students. This year's Southern California Design Build Competition was held April 6–7, 2022, at the Orange County Fairgrounds in sweltering 90-degree heat. Eighteen high schools, one public charter school and two colleges competed in designing and preparing construction documents for a 96-square-foot structure — which are submitted for plan review by volunteer community plan-checkers and architectural professionals — and then creating the structure. Submissions range from sheds and barns to miniature castles and even replicas of California missions. Recent years have brought a focus to green designs, framing and construction techniques. Each school is allowed to sell the final product and retain the revenue to support its construction and trades program. Judging was conducted by a panel of design and construction industry professionals, including local area building officials Gabriel Lineras, city of Brea; Kent Tsen, city of Mission Viejo; Miriam Madjlessi, city of Tustin; and Evan Zeisel, city of Orange. Lisa Eklund, a building industry liaison and member of the ICC Ventura Region Chapter, was also in attendance and accompanied the Thousand Oaks High School team. Judging considered quality of documentation, design, project management and conduct, craftsmanship, teamwork, and safety. Read more
Apply for the Professional Development Council
The International Code Council is issuing a call for new members of the Professional Development Council. If you are interested in having a say in the governance of the Code Council's certification exams and education programs, now’s the time to apply. The application closing date is Friday, April 29, 2022. Read more
Craig Morr joins ICC-ES as quality systems vice president
The ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) welcomed Craig Morr as its new vice president of quality systems. With an extensive background in operations, quality and compliance, Morr has served on several boards and committees, including the International Accreditation Service and the American National Standards Institute. He brings his expertise in conformity assessment standards, quality management systems, lean process management as well as regulatory and accreditation processes. Read more
Proposed committee interpretation for review, comment
A proposed committee interpretation to Section C402.5.1.2 (Air Barrier Compliance) of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code was posted for review and comment by International Code Council membership on April 5, 2022. The review and comment period will end on May 5, 2022. Read more
Truong Huynh guests on ICC Region I Radio
The Code Council’s Region 1 is made up of the states of California, Hawaii and Nevada and includes 32 Code Council chapters. Its ICC Region 1 Radio is where code professionals come together to share their experiences with others. In a recent episode, Truong Huynh, general superintendent with the Long Beach Building and Safety Bureau, discusses the importance of participating and joining your local chapter. Read more
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