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Serving the Needs
of California
In January 2008‚ California adopted the new California Building Codes developed by the International Code Council. The Council is committed to helping jurisdictions and organizations transition to these new codes with training seminars; certification‚ membership and plan review services; and publications resources. See what we offer.
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Code Resources:
A Winning Combination for California
The 2007 California State Building and Fire Safety Codes are now in effect. Are you up to code? Become a member of the International Code Council to receive special member pricing on the essential code resources you need to learn and apply the California State Building Codes. You’ll also receive a wide range of money-saving member benefits to help keep you current on critical issues and code changes that affect your on-the-job decisions. Download a free 30-day trial of either the 1997 Uniform Building Code or the 2006 International Building Code Nonstructural or Structural Comparison & Cross Reference Series. Join now!
Free to code officials‚ contractors and anyone in the construction industry‚ ICC-ES Evaluation Reports on code compliance provide comprehensive technical evidence that products and systems meet code requirements. All Evaluation Reports searchable based on attributes such as product type‚ manufacturer or report number. View new reports.
Sound Structural Alternatives
Extreme weather and unstable geologic conditions have resulted in more stringent building safety code requirements that are pushing building professionals to seek stronger‚ more innovative solutions‚ particularly for handling lateral loads caused by high winds or seismic activity. ICC Evaluation Service addresses these concerns head-on with streamlined acceptance criteria processes so that the building industry can make use of new product standards as quickly as possible.
Plan Review Services
If your jurisdiction is facing an overflow of plan reviews‚ the Code Council can help. Council experts provide cost-effective‚ accurate‚ prompt and technically comprehensive review of all drawings and construction documents. Learn more.
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Membership Structure
Changes for 2009 Updated Member Categories and Dues
Beginning January 2009‚ the Code Council will significantly change its membership structure. These changes will simplify some member categories‚ and help balance annual dues for individual categories with those for groups. The following are a few examples of the new changes:
• Cooperating and Professional Member categories will combine into one new Building Safety Professional category. The annual dues will decrease from $150 to $100.
• Corporate Member category annual dues will increase from $300 to $350.
• ICC Chapters can save with a new bulk membership plan. Get more information on membership category changes.
We are very interested in hearing from you on the current issues in California. Please send us your questions and comments. Leslie Haberek
Senior Manager‚ State &
Government Relations Kevin Scott
Senior Regional Manager‚ Fire Service
California eReport
September 2008
Volume 4‚ Issue 3
New CBSC Commissioners Sworn in
SCSA Secretary Rosario Marin (right) swears in new CBSC Commissioners Michael Paravagna (left)‚ Public Member/Disabled; Craig Daly (center)‚ Contractor; and Tony Hoffman‚ Organized Labor.
California State and Consumer Services Agency (SCSA) Secretary Rosario Marin‚ Chairperson to the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC)‚ swore in new commissioners Michael Paravagna, Craig Daly and Tony Hoffman to two-year terms. The 11-member commission, which is appointed by the California Governor and subject to State Senate confirmation‚ is chaired by Secretary Marin. The commission reviews and adopts state building standards‚ including building‚ plumbing‚ electrical‚ mechanical and energy codes. It is responsible for ensuring codes proposed by various state agencies are necessary‚ understandable and not in conflict.
Wildfire Preparedness in California
Representing the Code Council Foundation‚ Council Board Vice President Adolf Zubia is interviewed for a television newscast.
The International Code Council Foundation‚ the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes‚ and The Home Depot Foundation unveiled a nationwide wildfire prevention consumer campaign‚ A Tale of Two Houses—Wildfire at a news conference in San Diego‚ California. The campaign combats the myth that only “lucky” homes survive wildfires‚ and demonstrates that homes built to‚ or above‚ code can survive wildfires.
A Commitment to Preventing
Loss of Life and Property
A total of nine wildland firefighters died in the line of duty in 2007. So far this year‚ 20 wildland fire fighters have died and it is still very early in the fire season. The International Code Council holds high the honor of these fallen firefighters and is committed to help prevent the loss of life and property by providing education nationwide. Read more.
Blue Ribbon Panel Report Recommends NAC on Wildland Urban Interface
The Code Council leads the efforts and is the coordinator for the National Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Wildland Urban Interface Fire in the United States. This report has been completed and given to each member of Congress‚ governors‚ state and federal fire service organizations‚ and many more. The report recommended that a National Advisory Council (NAC) on Wildland Urban Interface be established. Copies of the report are available to download.
The Code Council proudly announces its sponsorship of the NAC’s inaugural meeting, which will be held late 2008 or early 2009. For more information‚ contact Code Council Wildland Fire Programs Director Dan Bailey.
Full Court Press for CBCAG Act
Code Council representatives are rallying Congressional support for the Community Building Code Administrative Grant (CBCAG) Act. The legislation passed the House of Representatives on a voice vote and the Senate version of the bill is now being considered by the Committee on Banking‚ Housing‚ and Urban Affairs.
ICC representatives are currently focusing their lobbying efforts on Republican members of the Banking Committee to gain their support for the CBCAG Act. Meetings have been held with Senators Bob Bennett (R-UT)‚ Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Bob Corker (R-TN). CEO Rick Weiland and Board Director Jimmy Brothers are scheduled to meet with Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) who is the ranking member of the Banking Committee‚ this week. Code Council stakeholders are encouraged to call or write his office urging his support of the CBCAG Act. To contact other members of the Banking Committee seeking their support for the legislation.
Annual Conference Heads to Minneapolis
The Code Council’s 2008 Annual Conference and Final Action Hearings take place September 14–23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Events include the ICC Expo‚ Education Program‚ Annual Business Meeting‚ Certification Exams and much more. Learn from experts‚ network with peers‚ and see the newest tools and technologies. Register today.
Chat with the Board President
International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland (right) listens as Council Board President Steve Shapiro (left) speaks with a caller during the May Fireside Chat.
Code Council Board President Steve Shapiro will host a Fireside Chat from Minneapolis on Friday‚ September 12‚ beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific. Fireside Chats provide an opportunity to express your feedback and opinions on matters of interest to you‚ your peers and Council members as well as mutual issues and concerns shared by building safety officials across the U.S. and around the world. Click here to register for the next Fireside Chat.
Conference Adds BIM Workshop Event
Learn more about building information modeling (BIM) and its current and future applications‚ including clash detection‚ cost estimating and SMARTcodes code compliance checking‚ at Annual Conference. A BIM Workshop will be held September 15‚ and webcast live. Get an overview of how BIM relates to the design‚ construction and plan review/approval processes from industry experts. In the meantime‚ check out the new voice-based SMARTcodes interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers are offered on model code provisions only.
Always check state regulations and local ordinances on these topics.
Fire-Resistance-Rated
Construction in the IBC Q: Are building elements, such as plumbing piping, HVAC ducts and fire sprinkler piping, that are permitted to penetrate a fire wall required to be designed for compliance with the provisions of Section 705.2 of the International Building Code (IBC) for structural stability? Get the answer.
HCD to Release IRC Findings
The Housing and Community Development (HCD) has concluded its focus groups on the International Residential Code (IRC). The HCD will release its findings this summer and continues to receive comments. Submit your comments.
Title 24 Standards Adopted by CEC Rulemaking File Delivered to CBSC
In April‚ the 2008 Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards were adopted by the California Energy Commission (CEC). As part of the next step in the Standards update process‚ CEC staff delivered the final express terms for the Standards rulemaking file to the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) for pre-publication review. The rulemaking file will go before the CBSC for approval at its September 11 meeting. The updated Standards must be published by January 1‚ 2009 in order for the CEC to meet the anticipated effective date of July 1‚ 2009, for the Standards. View the most significant changes to the 2008 Standards.
Number of ICC-ES PMG Listings Double
Unico‚ Inc.; NVENT; Uponor North America; Spears Manufacturing Company; Roth Industries‚ Inc.; Cheil Industries‚ Inc.; The RectorSeal Corporation; DiversiTech Corporation; Duct Saddle‚ LLC; and John Guest‚ Ltd. are among plumbing‚ mechanical and fuel gas (PMG) product manufacturers boosting their business with ICC Evaluation Service‚ Inc.‚ (ICC-ES) PMG evaluation reports. Continue reading here.
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) announced the unanimous adoption of the nation’s first statewide green building code. The code will lead to improved energy efficiency and reduced water consumption in all new construction throughout the state‚ while also reducing the carbon footprint of every new structure in California.
California Chapter Highlight International Code Council Los Angeles Basin Chapter
With the recent change of the model codes from the Uniform Building Codes to the International Codes‚ the International Code Council Los Angeles Basin Chapter has been active in leading the effort to create uniformity of building codes and regulations in the entire Southern California region as well as addressing policy issues of interest to building officials and the construction industry. Continue reading here.
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Did you enjoy this issue of the California eReport? Send a free eReport to a colleague and let them discover what we can deliver. Share with a friend.
The next edition of the California eReport will publish in November 2008. The deadline for submitting articles is October 31. Email them to Leslie Haberek.
This California eReport provides information on the International Codes as well as pertinent items of interest to California on a variety of topics. Please do not construe this eReport to be reporting on California’s overall code adoption process. Information on this matter must be obtained from the California Building Standards Commission.
