Group B Code Development Cycle Begins with January 3, 2013, Deadline for Proposed Changes
ICC Announces Next Step in Commitment to Water Efficiency
ICC (ASC) A117.1 Committee Meeting Continues January 14–18, 2013
ICC Consensus Committee on Storm Shelters Holds Telephone Conference
 
Group B Code Development Cycle Begins with
January 3, 2013, Deadline for Proposed Changes
The deadline for proposed changes to the 2013 Group B cycle is January 3, 2013. The Group B I-Codes include the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Fire Code (IFC), International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), International Zoning Code (IZC), and the ICC Performance Code for Buildings and Structures. Group B also includes the Administrative Code Provisions, which are Chapter 1 of the Group A I-Codes (International Building Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code and International Private Sewage Disposal Code) plus the IEBC, IFC, IPMC, IWUIC and IZC. Proposed changes to Chapter 1 of the IECC, IRC, ISPSC and ICC Performance Code will be considered by the applicable Code Development Committee. The administrative updates to referenced standards contained in all of the I-Codes will also be considered by the Administrative Code Development Committee—this includes all the Group A, B and C I-Codes. As has been published previously, the ICC Board has moved the International Green Construction Code to a new Group C cycle to be held in 2014.

Also included in the Group B cycle are sections of the Group A I-Codes noted above that are the responsibility of one of the Group B Code Development Committees. For instance, Chapter 9 of the International Building Code is the responsibility of the International Fire Code Development Committee.

Not included in the Group B cycle are sections of the Group B Codes that were the responsibility of one of the Code Development Committees that met during the 2012 Group A cycle. For instance, several structural sections of the IEBC are prefaced with a [B], meaning that they are the responsibility of one of the IBC Code Development Committees, in this case the IBC-Structural Code Development Committee. Therefore, the opportunity to propose changes to those portions of the IEBC has passed.

For information on responsibilities of the Group A, B and C Code Development Committees, please consult the ICC website. Code change proposals will be accepted by the ICC Technical Services staff on or before Midnight Pacific Standard Time on January 3, 2013. For procedures and forms used to submit proposals, please click here. If you would like to discuss this with someone on ICC staff, please contact Dave Bowman, Manager, Codes, at 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) ext. 4323.

The web posting of the 2013 Group B proposed changes is scheduled for March 11, 2013. The Code Development Hearings are scheduled for April 21–30, 2013, in Dallas.
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ICC Announces Next Step in Commitment to Water Efficiency

Call for Development Committee experts for ANSI Rainwater Collection Standard.

The International Code Council has announced a call for Standards Development Committee members to continue development of an ANSI standard dedicated to rainwater collection and conveyance systems. The project title ICC 805, Standard for Rainwater Collection System Design and Installation, began in April 2011 when ICC filed a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) with the American National Standards Institute. During the PINS phase, a public announcement notified all interested parties and stakeholders of ICC's plan to develop a standard and asked for comments or identification of other standards developers that may have an interest in this area. No overlapping projects were identified within the ANSI specified period.

The Code Council has made great progress in its commitment to the safe use of rainwater through the development of code provisions to protect water resources. The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) was completed and made available for adoption in March of 2012. It includes a robust section on water efficiency and conservation. In the 2012 Code Development Cycle, ICC Members and industry stakeholders worked to develop comprehensive non-potable water provisions covering sources like rainwater, graywater and reclaimed water provisions to support a comprehensive strategy. These groundbreaking provisions have been added to the 2015 edition of the International Plumbing Code, due out soon.

Building on these efforts, ICC is continuing to move forward with resources that will facilitate expanded application of rainwater harvesting systems, and ensure the preservation of health and safety while saving water. ICC Standard 805 will apply to the design, installation and maintenance of rainwater collection systems intended to collect, store, treat, distribute, and utilize rainwater for potable and non-potable applications.

This is especially important for regions experiencing water shortages and water quality issues. Many jurisdictions are seeking an industry standard to help them develop guidelines and provide a minimal and safe water source in a way that works with their existing codes. Many drought stricken jurisdictions, as well as those wishing to conserve natural resources, have undertaken efforts to provide their citizens with guidelines, codes and best management practices to enable the use of these systems locally.

Ensuring the availability of fresh water is a critical issue and rainwater reuse will become an ever more important alternative water source in the years ahead. The ICC and building safety industry are again taking the lead by embracing this effective means of water capture. Rainwater systems make use of a variety of unique devices such as first flush diverters, debris excluders and diverter valves. At present no standards exist in the United States for these devices.

Anyone interested in more information, should contact ICC's Mike Pfeiffer; 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) ext. 4338.
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ICC (ASC) A117.1 Committee Meeting Continues January 14–18, 2013

 The ICC (ASC) A117.1 Consensus Committee on Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities met in August to consider proposals to amend the 2009 edition of the ICC A117.1. The deliberations were detailed and the committee did not complete its review of all proposals, however, so the "first" meeting will continue next month in Washington, D.C. Read the meeting notice.
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ICC Consensus Committee on Storm Shelters Holds Telephone Conference

 Members of the ICC Consensus Committee on Storm Shelters (IS-STM) considered task group recommendations on public proposals for the ICC 500-2008-ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters. Read more.
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