Building safety is a tough job. No matter your role — code official, architect, engineer, builder, tradesperson or manufacturer — your job contributes to safe spaces for us to live and work. The work can be challenging and is often overlooked by the public. We want to take the time to say thank you all for the hard work you do.
When devastating incidents occur, our daily work is placed under a microscope. With the recent tragic collapse, the work you do may be under increased scrutiny. Your role as a building safety leader is more crucial than ever at this time as you guide the public, demonstrate integrity and maintain professional competence. In your role, you ensure that tragedies like the Surfside condominium collapse are an extremely rare event. Read more
California launches RESNET water efficiency rating program
The California Energy Commission’s accredited rating providers, CalCERTS and CHEERS, were recently approved by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) as official HERSH2O providers — paving the way for the launch of the water efficiency rating program in California. Read more
An investigative team from Newsy reviewed building codes in seven major American cities and found that re-inspections of towers vary greatly. For areas in the crosshairs of climate change with sea-level rise and stronger storms, regular examinations of high-rise buildings may be on the horizon. “The forces that are acting on buildings are changing,” said International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, “and we’re going to want to hear from the experts.” Read more
Primer on ICC standards development: Starting a new standard
Standards are generally developed to support consistency in a product, process or outcome. The Code Council’s portfolio of standards address important aspects of the built environment — from the design of storm shelters to bleacher safety and rainwater collection. But how are these standards born? Learn more
Plumbing code essentials: Relief vents in multiple-story buildings
Relief vents are required for drainage stacks serving more than 10 branch intervals. The relief vent must be connected to the drainage stack at each tenth branch interval counting down from the top floor. Discover more
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. Learn more
Significant changes to the 2021 IMC
A modification to Section 602.2.1.8 (Pipe and Duct Insulation Within Plenums) of the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) states that the revision addresses the practice of using pipe insulation materials to protect piping that does not meet the required fire performance requirements. Learn more
Meet Code Council member Tom Jaleski Principal Analyst/Managing Principal, Code Unlimited, Oregon
"The code is a performance code, therefore focus on the intent of the sections of the code and understand what life safety aspect it is trying to achieve. Learn about all the different systems that are involved and how they individually and collectively provide protection. And give yourself time by focusing on code areas, learning them thoroughly, then moving to some other parts of the code. You will never learn all the parts of the code well, so find complementary partners to see the big picture." Meet Tom
Disaster averted thanks to building inspection
When a pre-purchase inspection uncovered significant structural damage in a downtown Minot building last year, the Minot City Inspection Office in North Dakota was called in to help head off a potential collapse that could have led to casualties. According to Minot Building Official Luke Tillema, the incident also highlights the importance of the work of building code inspectors. Read more
Dickson city staff help teach new college construction course
City of Dickson staff recently volunteered their time and expertise to help students in a new building construction technology college program gain job experience. The program at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Dickson offers students instruction and training in carpentry, bricklaying, electrical wiring, and plumbing. Dickson Planning and Zoning Director Jason Pilkinton said the program could help the city as well as other local governments with codes departments facing a shortage of qualified inspectors. Read more
The number of U.S. households with an outdoor kitchen is expected to rise 4.7 percent to 3.9 million in 2022. Glenn Mathewson, MCP, discusses what the International Residential Code has to say about outdoor kitchens and requirements for the appliances installed and used in them. Learn more
Code official safety promoted at virtual leadership academy
Last month, the Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation (CEOSF) presented at the International Code Council’s Chapter Leadership Academy, held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Foundation President Justin Edson discussed CEOSF, available resources and its recent partnership with the Code Council to support code officials and protect all the professionals in the industry. Read more
Pledge to “get the lead out” and a commitment to healthy homes
Lead contamination and drinking water quality is a major health concern in many American communities. In 1986, the U.S. Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to prohibit the use of lead plumbing fixtures and pipe fittings for drinking water but did not require or fund the replacement of existing lead pipes. As they age, corrode and contaminate drinking water, the need to replace the plumbing grows. Read more
Number of Master Code Professionals continues to grow
Fifteen code professionals achieved the Master Code Professional designation — Richard Ames, Gregory Armstrong, Chris Brown, Daniel Dabler, Richard Golashovsky, William Hordyk, Damien Jorge, Norman Kain, Daniel Mauldin, Chris Netherton, Chad Phillips, Michael Rohlfing, Tim Shiner, Kevin Shulman and Robert Sterioti — in the second quarter of 2021. “The Master Code Professional certification is the pinnacle of all Code Council certifications, representing a level of effort, knowledge and dedication that elevates not only the individual achieving it but the code official profession as a whole,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. View MCPs
Historic first: Three women elected to lead California CSLB
In a historic first, three women were recently elected to lead the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) in California. Susan Granzella, public member, is board chair; Mary Teichert, class A general engineering contractor, is vice chair; and Diana Love, representative of a statewide senior citizen organization, is secretary. It is the first time all three offices have been held by women since CSLB was established to regulate the state’s construction industry in 1929. Read more
Last year, entrepreneur and business magnate Elon Musk tweeted that he was “selling almost all physical possessions,” and would “own no house.” It seems he has made good on his promise and the world’s second-richest man is now living in a mass-produced, prefabricated, 375-square-foot Boxabl home in Boca Chica, Texas, that can be set up in just one day. Read more
Solar Decathlon design & build challenge winners revealed
The U.S. Department of Energy announced the winners of its annual Solar Decathlon, selecting collegiate winners that challenge the next generation of building professionals to design and construct high-performance, low-carbon buildings powered by renewable energy. This year's competition included 72 teams representing 12 countries. Nine of the winning projects were constructed and displayed on the National Mall in Washington as part of DOE's first Solar Decathlon Virtual Village. Read more
Video to share: Understanding the American Rescue Plan
Code Council Vice President of Government Relations and Federal Activities Gabe Maser describes how American Rescue Plan funds provide an unprecedented amount of resources to governments and assistance to our members. He encourages them to act quickly on this unique funding opportunity. Watch now