Stimulus Package Includes IECC

The Code Council’s 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will play a major role in the stimulus bill signed into law by President Obama last week. The stimulus package calls for funding through 2010 for state energy programs, and for states to certify they will implement building energy codes for residential buildings that are likely to meet or exceed the 2009 IECC. The stimulus package also calls for states to implement plans that include training and enforcement to achieve 90-percent compliance within eight years.

Visit the New Energy Page

Energy-efficient buildings have far-reaching benefits for consumers, the environment and the economy. Get the latest energy news, learn about Department of Energy support of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and prescriptive energy provisions of both the IECC and International Residential Code. more>>

New Call for SBTC Committee Members

The Code Council is accepting applications for the Sustainable Building Technology Committee (SBTC). The new committee will be involved in the improvement of Council codes, standards and guidelines in the areas of high performance and sustainability, including water, energy and mechanical efficiency, and new and renewable energy sources such as solar, hydrogen fuel cells and other systems. The SBTC will also serve in an advisory role to the Code Council Board regarding development of new Council codes, standards and guidelines. more>>

Code Council Acts on Ethics, Sponsorships

The Code Council Board of Directors has adopted two, new Council Policy statements on Ethics and Sponsorships, and amended Council Policy 10-04, Section 5.0 Chapter Responsibilities. The Board also is reviewing proposed by-laws changes impacting voter qualifications and voting procedures, which are now available. more>>

By-Laws Changes Proposed

The Code Council Board has acted on recommendations to amend By-Laws addressing voter eligibility and voting procedures developed by the President’s Advisory Committee, agreeing to forward an amended report for membership comment. These proposals could potentially be placed on the Annual Business Meeting agenda for a vote of the membership. more>>

New Green Standard Addresses the
Other Half of the Equation

While building codes and standards have traditionally addressed how the environment affects buildings during natural disasters and other events, the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) addresses the other half of the equation: how buildings affect the environment by accounting for nearly 40 percent of annual energy use in the U.S. Recently approved as an American National Standard, the NGBS or ICC 700 addresses environmental concerns through criteria such as land, water, and energy conservation, and allows many energy system design options, both prescriptive and performance based. Other highlights include storm water management and the use of energy efficient luminaries, appliances and heating and cooling systems. more>>

The consensus-based development of ICC 700 provides a practical route to green, sustainable and high-performance construction, Code Council COO Dominic Sims explained in a media teleconference hosted by the National Association of Homebuilders. “We are very proud of the fact that we have been able to achieve the ANSI recognition,” Sims said. “We went through great lengths to include a broad, cross section of stakeholders who were able to discuss and debate the technical merits of the standard. The consistency and coordination that has been built into the standard is a key to its overall performance.” more>>

Destination: Green Building

The Code Council and Cengage Learning have unveiled a new online resource for sustainable construction and manufacturing. TheGreenDestination.com features green building tips for consumers and industry experts, information on compliant manufacturers, industry news and information, green products, conformity assessment programs and codes, upcoming industry seminars and events, and various resources and tools. more>>

Green Conference Offers Global Expertise

Code officials, architects and other industry professionals can gain a global perspective on trends in sustainability and green building during the Green Building Focus Conference and Expo, May 12–13, in Birmingham, Alabama. Presented by alive2green and co-sponsored by the Code Council, Green Building Focus will feature international market leaders and U.S. experts to present, debate, and apply thoughts and trends in green building. Code Council members receive discounted registration. more>>

Code Council, Chief Architect Partner
to Benefit Code Users

Residential and light commercial code users and public safety will benefit from a partnership between the Code Council and Chief Architect, Inc. The partnership provides users of Chief Architect software access to the latest versions of the Residential Inspectors Guide, the IRC Checklist: Building Provisions and other valuable resources. more>>

New Events Added to 2009 Codes Forum

The 2009 Codes Forum Education Program, held March 23–25 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, will feature more than 20 training sessions taught by leading experts in building, fire, plumbing, green building, disaster response and more. In addition, a new session discussing the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code has just been added to the schedule.

Virtually every jurisdiction in the U.S. that regulates construction uses the International Codes—the foundation of building safety across the country.

2009 I-Codes Safer, More Energy Efficient

Several 2009 I-Codes continue to arrive at the Code Council’s Distribution Center, including the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. Other codes available for immediate shipment are the 2009 International Plumbing, Private Sewage Disposal, Wildland-Urban Interface, Property Maintenance, and Zoning Codes. more>>

Preview. Purchase. Download.

Do you want a 2009 International Code in a digital format for Windows and Mac formats? Then visit our ecodes.biz website to purchase a download. The following are available for immediate download:
2009 International Plumbing Code
2009 International Fuel Gas Code
2009 International Energy Conservation Code
2009 International Private Sewage Disposal Code
2009 International Property Maintenance Code
2009 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code
2009 International Zoning Code

What’s New in the 2009 I-Codes?

Did you know there are new requirements for storm shelters based on the new ICC/NSSA standard, ICC 500-2008? Or that automatic sprinklers are required in townhouses beginning in 2009, and one- and two-family dwellings beginning in 2011? What else is changing? more>>

Energy Code Wins Member Support

With energy-saving measures winning support from more than 60 percent of Code Council members, the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code will be more efficient than its 2006 counterpart, according to research firm ICF International. more>>

Free ICC-ES Webinar Offers CEU Credit

Learn how to verify that innovative building products comply with code requirements using ICC-ES Evaluation Reports in this one-hour webinar “Approving Innovative Building Products.” Participants are eligible to receive continuing education credit toward the renewal of Code Council certifications. Limited space is available for participating in this free webinar. more>>

Roofs Are Covered by ICC-ES

If you are interested in determining whether a roofing product meets code requirements, look no further than the evaluation reports from ICC-ES. From roof shingles and tiles to sheathing and coatings, ICC-ES has more evaluation reports for roofing products than any other product category. ICC-ES evaluation reports address compliance with product standards, durability, wind resistance, fire classification, and resistance to impact, all of which are code requirements. more>>

Save the World with Clean Water

Imagine a trillion dollars going towards plumbing technology for proper sanitation...and world peace. People who have access to safe drinking water and sanitary facilities are more at peace because their basic needs are being met. The ICC PMG Safewater campaign is recognized in this Plumbing and Mechanical Magazine column about the plumbing industry undertaking the mission for world peace. more>>

Expert Tips for Hard-Hit Construction Sector

Times were so good for so long in the construction industry that many contractors were caught off guard by the magnitude of the current recession. The industry may not rebound until 2011, when economists predict the housing market will start to recover. Here are some tips from the author of Construction Contractor's Survival Guide on how construction companies can survive during tough times. more>>

Code Official Alert: New Health Concern in the Walls

Chinese-made drywall imported during the height of the housing boom is suspected of being responsible for the corrosion and failure of metal components, as well as foul odors, in homes in the Gulf Coast region. State and federal health officials are trying to determine whether gases emitted by the drywall are hazardous to humans. more>>

Building Valuation Data Updated

The Code Council publishes Building Valuation Data (BVD) to provide the most efficient set of information for jurisdictions to use. The Code Council strongly recommends that all jurisdictions and other interested parties actively evaluate and assess the impact of the BVD table before using it in their current code enforcement activities. more>>

Code Question: Expert Staff Opinions

Where foam plastic insulation is exposed within an unvented crawl space and entry into the crawl space is only for servicing of utilities, is the use of an ignition barrier, in accordance with the provisions of Section R314.5.4 of the International Residential Code, permitted for all the air flow methods described in Section R408.3 for unvented crawl spaces? more>>

Code Update: Significant Code Changes

An addition to the attachment of asphalt shingles has been added to the International Residential Code. more>>

Code Spotlight: Featured Article

At no time in the past have code officials and their staffs been under greater pressure to function effectively and efficiently. Learn how to keep your building department ahead of the curve. more>>

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Studies Show Green Building Is Key to America's Economic Future

Green Product Demand Continues to Rise, Manufacturers Say

Stimulus Bill Requires States to Update Energy Codes

Device Helps Detect Buildings' Structural Damage

How Many Firefighters Does It Take to Put Out a Fire?

Builder Confidence at a Record-Low Ebb in January

New Wind Speed Methodology Unveiled

The Code Council implemented the project "Engineering Guidelines on the Impact of Climate Change on Design Wind Speeds in Saint Lucia." This project, part of the Special Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change, was managed and executed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. Read about a methodology to estimate change in basic wind speeds to design structures where hurricane frequency increases can be a result of climate change. more>>

Sylvana Ricciarini, International Liaison and International Operations Director for the Code Council (fifth from right), Tony Gibbs of Consulting Engineers Partnership Ltd. (fourth from right), and Peter Vickery of Applied Research Associates (third from right), listen to Winston Benett (far right) during the "Engineering Guidelines on the Impact of Climate Change on Design Wind Speeds in Saint Lucia" project.