April 2011 | ||
Welcome to the New Codes & Standards News | ||
Welcome to the new Codes & Standards News—a building science journal from the Technical Services Division of the International Code Council. The new Codes & Standards News delivers a concise collection of everything you need to know: breaking code news, the latest information on standards and guidelines, and code committee updates. The Codes & Standards News is a presentation of critical code-related information that those in the construction industry must have to help protect the property, health and safety of people worldwide. |
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UPCOMING MEETINGS | FEATURE ARTICLE Virgin Galactic Spaceport: Plan Review for the 21st Century If all goes according to plan, space tourist flights will originate from a facility in the western United States—a facility that underwent an ICC Plan Review. While it may sound like a science fiction novel, it is real. Near Truth or Consequences, Spaceport America has been providing commercial launch services since 2006. A state-of-the-art launch facility is under construction and is expected to become fully operational in 2011. In December 2009, International Code Council Plan Review Services completed both building and accessibility reviews of the proposed Terminal Hangar Facility for the State of New Mexico's Construction Industries Division. It is intended to serve as a commercial terminal for the Spaceport America project—a major component of Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin Galactic's efforts to provide commercial space flight services. Click to continue. CODE DEVELOPMENT NEWS Swimming Pool and Spa Code Poised to Be the 15th I-Code In July 2009, the International Code Council Board approved the development of the first comprehensive swimming pool code coordinated with the current requirements found in the International Codes to meeting the requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act to upgrade pool safety. The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) will be developed with the support of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) and will encompass the design, installation and inspection of aquatic facilities based on the current ANSI (APSP) standards, technology and code provisions. Click to continue. CODE DEVELOPMENT NEWS Code Interpretation by Code Development The Building Code Interpretations Committee was presented with a seemingly straightforward question: "Is the covering installed on water supply and drain pipes under accessible lavatories and sinks subject to the provisions regarding insulation in Section 719.7 of the International Building Code?" The answer provided: "No. The coverings for water supply and drain pipes under accessible lavatories and sinks are not insulation." Despite re-balloting this proposed interpretation, the Committee was unable to reach the required majority of 67 percent needed to issue the interpretation. The questioner was then informed that the Committee interpretation could not be issued. Click to continue. CODE DEVELOPMENT NEWS The IRC Is a Comprehensive, Stand-Alone Code A common misconception about the International Residential Code (IRC) is that it is always to be used in conjunction with other International Codes, implying that the IRC is somehow incomplete. As stated in the introduction section of the preface of the IRC, it is a comprehensive, stand-alone code that applies only to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. Click to continue. CODE DEVELOPMENT NEWS Code Technology Committee The Code Technology Committee (CTC) has started its work on its Board-approved Areas of Study for the upcoming 2012/2013 Cycle. The focus to date has been via CTC Study Group conference calls related to follow-up activities on Unenclosed Exits (approved Code Change E5-09/10) as well undertaking a new activity entitled "Elevator Lobbies". The CTC anticipates three meetings in 2011—the meetings have not been scheduled yet. Click here for more information. ICC PLAN REVIEW ICC Evaluates Plan Review Processes in Abu Dhabi Chris Reeves, P.E., Manager of ICC Plan Review Services, was invited to visit Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to meet with the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) and evaluate the plan review process at the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Western Region Municipalities. The meetings provided an opportunity to assess the extent of the technical content of the reviews currently being conducted, knowledge of the plan review staff with respect to the 2009 International Codes, and implementation issues with respect to the adoption of the 2009 I-Codes in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Meetings were conducted with the building department managers at the municipalities, the plan check department managers and many of the staff plan check engineers/architects. An additional objective of the meetings was to explore the potential cooperation between the ICC Plan Review Service and the DMA. ICC PLAN REVIEW ICC Plan Review Service Conducts Prototype Reviews on Request While the International Code Council has recently published the ICG G1-2010 Guideline for Replicable Buildings, the ICC Plan Review Service has historically conducted "prototype" reviews of commercial and residential buildings on request. The premise of a "prototype" building is that it can be built in a variety of locations. Consequently, the "prototype" building is not typically reviewed with respect to site-specific requirements. Therefore, such essential items as structural design parameters (snow, wind, seismic, soils report, etc.), exterior wall provisions (fire department access, exposure, opening protectives, etc.), regional architectural considerations, and legally adopted state/local amendments must be reviewed by the local jurisdiction. Click to continue. STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT NEWS Standards Development Update A117.1-2009: Completed and published. The book is available. The 2009 edition is referenced in the 2012 International Codes. ICC 300: The ICC Standard Development Committee on Bleacher Safety (IS-BLE Committee) met in November to consider public and committee proposals that were submitted on the 2007 edition of the ICC 300 Standard in response to two call-for-comment periods (April 13 to May 26 and June 16 to July 15, 2010), which resulted in this first public comments draft. The 2012 edition of the standard is expected to be referenced in the 2012 I-Codes. ICC 400: The ICC Standard Development Committee on Log Structures (IS-LOG committee) met in November 2010 to consider public and committee proposals that were submitted on the 2007 edition of the ICC 400 Standard in response to two call-for-comment periods (April 13 to May 26 and June 16 to July 15, 2010), which resulted in this first public comments draft. The 2012 edition of the standard is expected to be referenced in the 2012 I-Codes. ICC 500: Storm Shelter Standard. A call for committee members went out this quarter. The next edition of the standard is expected to be referenced in the 2015 I-Codes. ICC 600: Residential High Wind Standard. A call for committee members went out this quarter. The next edition of the standard is expected to be referenced in the 2015 I-Codes. ICC 800: Irrigation Standards. On January 17, ICC closed the committee application period, and is expecting a Standard Council meeting sometime in February to review the applications and make appointment recommendations to the ICC Board. |
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Industry Advisory Committee Meeting Date and Location TBD |
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ICC Ad Hoc Committee on Healthcare April 20-21, 2011 Chicago, Illinois |
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ISPSC/IGCC Code Development Hearings May 16-22, 2011 Dallas, Texas |
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ISPSC/IGCC Final Action Hearings November 2-6, 2011 Phoenix, Arizona |
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TECHNICAL COMMITTEES | ||
Expansion of Code Action Committees | ||
Code Technology Committee | ||
I-Codes Development Consensus Committees | ||
To be appointed November 2011 (except IGCC and ISPSC) | ||
ICC Administrative Code Committee | ||
International Building Code—Fire Safety Committee | ||
International Building Code—General Committee | ||
International Building Code—Means of Egress Committee | ||
International Building Code—Structural Committee | ||
International Energy Conservation Code Committee | ||
International Existing Building Code Committee | ||
International Fire Code Committee | ||
International Fuel Gas Code Committee | ||
International Mechanical Code Committee | ||
International Plumbing/Private Sewage Code Committee | ||
International Property Maintenance/Zoning Code Committee | ||
International Residential Code—Building & Energy Committee | ||
International Residential Code—Pluming & Mechanical Committee | ||
International Green Construction Code Committee | ||
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code Development Committee | ||
International Councils | ||
ICC Re-engineers Its Code Councils | ||
Interpretation Committees | ||
Building Code Interpretations Committee | ||
Electrical, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Property Maintenance Zoning Code Interpretation Committee | ||
Fire, Performance, Urban Wildland Interface Code Interpretation Committee | ||
Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing, Private Sewage Disposal Code Interpretation Committee | ||
Residential Code Interpretation Committee | ||
Oversight Committees | ||
Industry Advisory Committee | ||
Code Correlation Committee | ||
Standards Development Consensus Committees | ||
Accredited Standards Committee A117 on Architectural Features and Site Design of Public Buildings and Residential Structures for Persons with Disabilities | ||
ICC Consensus Committee on Bleacher Safety | ||
ICC Consensus Committee on Residential Construction in High Wind Regions | ||
ICC Consensus Committee on Log Structures | ||
ICC/NSSA Consensus Committee on Storm Shelters | ||
Turfgrass and Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler Standard Consensus Committee | ||
CONTENT DISCLAIMER — Codes & Standards News features links that may take you outside the Code Council's website. We are not responsible for the content and privacy practices of outside websites. Copyright ©2011 | International Code Council | All rights reserved World Headquarters‚ 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW‚ 6th Floor | Washington‚ DC 20001 USA | (888) 422-7233 All articles are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of the International Code Council. |
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