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This issue of ICC eNews is dedicated to John Ingargiola‚ Senior Engineer assigned to the Mitigation Directorate’s Building Science Branch of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)‚ for his work to advance the role of building science in hazard mitigation. more>> |
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Dear ICC eNews reader‚
Thank you for reading ICC eNews. With a circulation of more than 130‚000 subscribers‚ your interest makes us one of the most-read enewsletters in the industry—a great way to conclude 2008.
As the Code Council completes its budgeting for 2009, we are addressing the impacts of the global economic crisis that are also hitting many of you. Given that we are not immune from these impacts, there will be adjustments to ICC programs in the coming year. At the same time we remain committed to our core mission of promoting code development and technical support to create a safer world. In the coming weeks, you will be hearing more about organizational and programmatic changes. In the meantime, we are deeply appreciative of your support and partnership.
May you have an enjoyable and safe holiday season. |
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2008: The Year in Perspective |
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The approach of the new year prompts us to review and reflect on the events and accomplishments of 2008. Despite the current economic downturn‚ and resulting slowdown in the construction industry‚ it was a year that saw continued growth in green building‚ more International Codes adoptions and increased support of many Code Council initiatives on Capitol Hill. more>> |
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FEMA‚ ICC Team Up for Disaster Response |
| The International Code Council and the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are teaming up to reduce the loss of life and property caused by natural disasters. A memorandum of understanding calls for FEMA and the Code Council to support the maintenance‚ adoption‚ outreach‚ training and enforcement of disaster-resistant building safety codes to reduce human and economic losses resulting from natural hazards including hurricanes‚ earthquakes‚ tornados and flooding. more>> |
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(Left to right) Code Council Member Services Senior Vice President Mike Armstrong‚ FEMA Administrator David Paulison and Code Council Board Immediate Past President Steve Shapiro sign a Memorandum of Understanding calling for the organizations to join forces to reduce the loss of life and property caused by natural disasters. |
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ES PMG Program Accredited by ANSI |
The ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) Plumbing‚ Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) listing program received accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The ANSI accreditation certifies that the PMG program operates under ISO/IEC Guide 65‚ “General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems‚” the same guidelines under which the ICC-ES program for evaluation reports is certified. more>> |
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ANSI Accreditation Assessors Kingsley Drake (left) and Richard Stump (second from left) review ES PMG technical procedures with ICC-ES Principal Mechanical Engineer Richard Beck (center)‚ Vice President Gary Nichols (second from right) and Director of Listing Programs Bernie Soesilo during the initial ANSI audit conducted in August. |
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Crane Safety Discussed in the Big Apple |
The Code Council participated in the recent Crane Safety Conference hosted by New York City Building Commissioner Robert LiMandri. Safety experts from across the U.S. attended the meeting to discuss national standards following several deadly crane accidents this year. more>> |
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International Code Council Government Relations Senior Regional Manager Roland Hall (right) and others learn how New York City has tightened its regulations and created a new system to track crane parts and certify repairs. |
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Feds Release $3 Billion in
Preparedness Grants |
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State and local governments can apply for preparedness grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS announced more than $3 billion is available to strengthen our nation’s ability to prevent‚ protect‚ respond and recover from major disasters‚ terrorist attacks or other emergencies. more>> |
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| Trade Associations Feeling Their Members' Pain |
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New Program Verifies Product Sustainability |
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eCodes Plus Offers Instant Access to I-Codes |
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IAS Offers New Accreditation of Third-Party Providers |
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Be a Part of the Profile Campaign |
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Code Council on Expanded ANSI StandardsPortal |
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Metal Building Guide Has
Earth-Shaking Focus |
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The earth may shake but metal buildings have a better chance of standing when built to earthquake requirements in the new Seismic Design Guide for Metal Building Systems. One way First Preventers prevent harm by ensuring compliance with building safety codes before a disaster occurs is to check earthquake requirements when reviewing metal building plans. more>> |
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Hit the Big Easy |
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Increase your code knowledge‚ earn CEUs and enjoy the excitement of New Orleans at the 2009 Codes Forum. Scheduled for March 23–25‚ the Forum’s Education Program includes new sessions on the 2009 International Codes‚ green building, disaster response and hazard mitigation‚ plus much more. Register today. |
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Build It Green with ICC |
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It’s not easy being green—even in the construction world‚ but ICC can help you learn about the many green building programs‚ standards and rating systems‚ and help you improve your job skills through cutting-edge training programs. |
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| Now is your chance to establish yourself in the green building niche and advance your career. Take advantage and register now. |
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Industry Article: Codes Keep
Commercial Kitchens Up to Par |
There are rules and regulations governing just about every aspect of business life. Commercial kitchens are no exception. Lee Clifton‚ Director of Plumbing Programs for the Code Council‚ weighs in on how the International Codes address plumbing systems within commercial kitchens. more>> |
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PMG Covers Plumbing Essentials |
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Lee Clifton‚ Director of Plumbing Programs for the Code Council’s Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Group (PMG)‚ gives an overview of the new New York City Plumbing Code to more than 100 people from the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the American Society of Sanitary Engineers. The presentation—“Essentials of the NYC Plumbing Code”—was taught in November in New York City. |
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Code Question: Expert Staff Opinions |
The provisions for “hotels and multiple-family dwellings” referenced in Item 28 of Table 1607.1 of the International Building Code specifies a uniform live load of 40 psf for individual sleeping and dwelling units and for the corridors that serve them. Where both private and public rooms or spaces are provided‚ does the 40 psf uniform live load apply to corridors located outside individual sleeping and dwelling units that provide access to and egress from both the public rooms and the individual sleeping and dwelling units? more>> |
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| Code Update: Significant Code Changes |
A clarification to incidental use areas has been added to the International Building Code. more>> |
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| Code Spotlight: Featured Article |
The U.S. Department of Justice has taken another step towards adoption of a new Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. So what’s new and what does it mean? more>>
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported construction employment numbers that are the worst in the agency’s 124-year history. In November alone‚ the construction industry lost 82‚000 jobs. ICC provides this new segment of informative articles—Surviving the Downturn—as solutions you can use to build stability in this time of economic uncertainty. |
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| Surviving the Downturn |
Contractors Can Survive a Tough Construction Market
If you are paying attention to what it takes to get business in the door‚ and doing it‚ you will survive. more>> |
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Career Opportunities |
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As a service to the construction code standards community‚ ICC provides an online network connecting the most progressive companies with the most qualified individuals. Please visit ICC’s JobTarget career opportunities webpage for details. more>> |
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“Building Inspector” Wins Game Show |
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You know building inspection has hit the mainstream of pop culture when it’s featured on a popular television game show like the Wheel of Fortune. more>> |
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| The following links take you outside the Code Council’s website. We are not responsible for the content and privacy practices of outside websites. |
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Amidst Deepening Recession‚ Green Fights Back |
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Green Building Could Triple by 2013 |
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Free Database of Nature-Inspired Design Strategies Available |
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U.S. Green Building Council Unveils 2009 Plans |
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New Report Measures Impacts of Green Buildings |
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ABC Forecasts Downturn in 2009 Construction Activity |
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Top Building Products of 2008 |
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Housing Starts and Permits Fall to Lowest Levels on Record |
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The Job Axe Starts to Fall for Architects |
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Pennsylvania City Reverses Policy on Armed Code Officers |
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Visit our eNews Newswire Page‚ filled with articles of interest to you from newspapers around the world. |
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