• The D.C.-based staff is actively engaged on a number of initiatives, including responding to federal notices requesting comments on a petition to incorporate material by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. An action that would have a negative impact on model code and standards developers as it would change how copyrighted materials would be referenced by the Federal agencies. ICC is working with other organizations to coordinate a strong unified response.
• GR is also working on a response to an ANSI-ISO survey requesting input about existing international standards dealing with design and construction. Both this and the statement above are being coordinated with others and will be made available once finalized.
• The winners of the Elected Official of the Year Awards have been selected. Winners were selected at Federal, State and Local levels and were chosen for their commitment to furthering the cause of safety and sustainability in the built environment. Winners will be notified as soon as possible and will be officially recognized during Building Safety Month activities in Washington, D.C.
• The New York City Construction Development Hub program was launched October of 2011 by the NYC Department of Buildings as a way to speed up the construction review process and to get workers working sooner. The NYC Hub is a virtual counter where licensed professionals can submit digital constructions plans, and then have those plans reviewed by all city agencies at the same time while the person submitting waits. Project approvals increased by 52 percent per hour in the first month, and the program has led to more than 1,400 approved projects and generated more than $1 billion worth of economic activity. The NYC Development Hub will be featured in an upcoming BSJ article as a result of a result demonstration of the program made by Commissioner Robert LiMandri to Chief Executive Officer Rick Weiland, Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes and Vice President Dottie Harris. A BSJ article about the Development Hub is forthcoming.
• GR Regional Manager David Nichols attended the Utah Chapter Annual Business Meeting and Education Conference held April 20-24 in St. George, Utah, at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, where ICC Board member Jeff Whitney addressed the Chapter Members, installed the new Officers, and presented the Past-President and Immediate Past President awards. Scott Marsell received the Utah Chapter's highest award for the year, the Jess M. Miller Award for a career of distinguished service. "The Jess M. Miller award is a once-in-a-lifetime award for outstanding contributions to the building and safety field. Achievements must be significant to hold this person in the highest esteem for work that has impacted the chapter, ICC, and/or the community."
• The I-Codes require the use of "listed" devices, equipment and components. Typically, the "listing" is provided by a third-party testing agency or laboratory. But all of the testing labs are not equal. To assist code officials know if a testing lab is qualified to perform the needed tests to be able to "certify" or "list" a particular product. GR Regional Manager Kevin Scott wrote an titled, "Acceptability of Testing Labs" that will appear in an upcoming edition of the BSJ and provides more detailed information so you can make an informed decision.
• ICC was selected as the Administering Organization for 2012's World Standard's Day. The annual celebration and reception will be held on October 14 with this year's theme being Standards Increase Efficiency.
• In addition, we are proud to announce that past ICC President of the Board, Ron Lynn, was nominated and unanimously chosen as this year's recipient of the World Standard's Day Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award. This award is given to an individual who has shown strong leadership, given support and contributed to the U.S. standardization system and conformity assessment community.
• Also this month, GR staff attended a meeting with NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The event was sponsored by the New York Women's Agenda whose members represent women in construction, government and other industries.
• The ICC Vocational High School Program is gaining a lot of attention and support across the country.