Gary Lewis (left), Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism-Resistant Buildings, presented "The Progress of ICC Building and Fire Codes and the NIST/WTC Recommendations" during the Fire Safety Directors Association meeting at the New York City Fire Museum. Dorothy Harris, Director, State and Local Government Relations for the Code Council, was present at the event.
The Building Inspectors Association of Nassau County (BIANCO) held its Annual Dinner Dance February 11 at the Inn at New Hyde Park in New York where new chapter officers were sworn in. Newly elected BIANCO President Eric Famiglietti (left) presented Code Council Board member Ron Piester with a plaque of appreciation at the event.
Chief Paul Martin of the Fire Prevention Division of the Office of Fire Prevention and Control commented on a new state law that requires New York homes to have carbon-monoxide detectors. The legislation—dubbed "Amanda's Law" for 16-year old Amanda Hansen who died from carbon-monoxide poisoning while spending the night at a friend's house—went into effect February 22. The new law requires the installation of a carbon-monoxide alarm in all one- and two-family residences, and all multi-family residences in New York State. Martin, who sits on the Code Council's IBC Means of Egress committee, spoke to New York NBC and ABC news affiliates on the new legislation. The video clips are below
ABC News 10 Video Link — Amanda's Law Goes into Effect
NBC 13 Video Link — CO Detectors Mandatory
The proposals are based upon provisions of the 2006 editions of the International Residential Code, International Building Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Fire Code, International Property Maintenance Code, International Existing Building Code and the 2009 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code. New York State modifications have been integrated with provisions of the International Codes to create the January 2010 editions of the Codes of New York State. The draft text of the Codes of New York State and associated rule making documents are available for review online.
The Southern California Fire Prevention Officers Association met February 17 at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center. The meeting was hosted by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). LAFD Fire Chief Douglas L. Barry and Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Jimmy Hill welcomed the group and encouraged continued efforts in fire prevention, inspection and plan review. Fire Marshal Hill (right) shared thoughts and ideas with Code Council Board member Barbara Koffron (left).
The Southern California Fire Prevention Officers February meeting has become an annual event for the Code Council. Code Council Board members John LaTorra and Barbara Koffron provided an update on Code Council membership, the newly revised Chapter Education Benefit and the development status of the International Green Construction Code.
California adopted the 2009 International Building Code, International Residential Code (IRC) and International Fire Code in January 2010. Code Council Senior Fire Services Manager Kevin Scott presented a brief synopsis of the amendments California included in their adoption, including the fire sprinkler requirements in the IRC.