Despite a difficult economic climate, CEO Rick Weiland said the Code Council was able to overcome the challenges of 2010 while maintaining the organization's mission and its role in supporting members. "In many ways we have moved the ball forward," Weiland told Annual Conference delegates in Charlotte.

The forward momentum was due in part by the ongoing development of the International Codes. ICC Voting Representatives took action on more than 900 proposed changes to the 2012 I-Codes during Final Action Hearings in Dallas and Charlotte. Voting Representatives also ratified the Code Council Board of Directors' emergency amendment to the fuel gas purging requirements of the 2009 International Fuel Gas and Residential Codes, which drew applause from U.S. Chemical Safety Board Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso.

Public Version 2.0 of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) was unveiled during the Greenbuild 2010 Conference in Chicago. "Public Version 2.0 reflects the work of the IGCC Public Hearings Committee, which conducted a review of 1,500 comments and nearly 120 hours of testimony during eight days of public hearings," Weiland explained at the unveiling. "It's another step in providing tools now for jurisdictions to integrate their sustainability programs with the tested safety language of the family of International Codes." The new PV 2.0 of the IGCC drew widespread praise from partners and industry leaders.

During ICC's code development process (CDP), the Board of Directors' Code Development Review Ad Hoc Committee began a comprehensive review to make recommendations about any changes needed to the CDP. The committee held its fourth meeting in November to continue reviewing member feedback regarding current procedures. The discussions resulted in a recommendation to tighten funding restrictions for Governmental Member Voting Representatives and to utilize survey information to inform next steps regarding electronic voting. Members and stakeholders can still provide feedback and/or suggestions as the committee continues its review process.

2010 was marked with many other highlights for the Code Council:

In January, the California Building Standards Commission announced the adoptions of the 2009 International Building, Existing Building, Fire and Residential Codes statewide. Other adoptions were announced in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New Hampshire.

In February, the Code Council and Building Code Assistance Project teamed up to create the Energy Code Ambassadors program to benefit code officials who want to take a leading role in energy-efficient buildings.

In March, the Council participated in an invitation-only Post Disaster Recovery Roundtable at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., that examined the viability of existing federal government approaches to disaster recovery.

In April, ICC was among the organizations across the country that observed the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with the theme, "Standards for Accessibility," on World Standards Day.

In May, during the 2010 Building Safety Month celebration, the Code Council honored the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association Chapter and the New River Valley Homebuilders Association with a Raising the Profile Award for their collaboration on the "Better Building. Safer Homes." campaign.

In June, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the U.S. Green Building Council pledged their support for the International Green Construction Code.

In July, the Code Council announced it was a member of a government and academic consortium working to raise awareness of the life-saving capabilities of storm shelters.

In August, it was announced that new accessibility standards to be enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will include means of egress requirements from the International Building Code (IBC).

In September, the Council sponsored an ASME Symposium on the use of elevators in fires and other emergencies.

At its 2010 Annual Conference in Charlotte in October, ICC honored Terrence L. Cobb and Jay Elbettar, Sean DeCrane, William Koeffel, the Fort Smith, Arkansas, Development Services Department, and Instructor John Gibson for their contributions to the building safety and fire prevention industry.

In November, ICC hosted the first-ever U.S. International Code Council World Toilet Summit in Philadelphia.

And in December, the Code Council updated the ICC A117.1-2009: Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities that makes buildings accessible to people with disabilities.

Throughout 2010, ICC Members were able to utilize more products and services from the Code Council. "We restored member benefits in a more cost-effective and sustainable fashion, including chapter training benefits and the redesigned electronic version of the Building Safety Journal," Weiland explained.

With the 2010-2011 Board of Directors that includes Board President James L. Brothers, Vice President William (Bill) Dupler, Secretary/Treasurer Ron Piester and Immediate Past President Ron Lynn, and a staff that will continue to develop new efficiencies in delivery and service to keep pace with the changing times, Weiland added that more can be expected in the future:

• Professional development opportunities that will evolve into a more diverse menu of options.
• New products that will be increasingly available electronically to expedite decisions in the field and at the counter.
• And best efforts at the federal, state and local levels that will focus on the promotion of the Code Council’s process and the protection of the International Codes.

"Around the world, engagement with the products and services of the Code Council reflects on your expertise," Weiland told conference delegates. "And it provides additional financial resources for us to continue to do our important work both domestically and globally."