ICC eNews

What They're Saying about cdpACCESS

First U.S. Assisted Living Community to Meet ICC 700 National Green Building Standard Earns Award

Fountain Hills, Ariz., Adopts 2012 International Codes

Camp Verde, Ariz., to Continue Public Meetings on IBC Adoption

Royal Oak, Mich., to Renovate its Property Maintenance Code

Yolo County, Calif., Building Inspection Division Gets High Rating

Pikes Peak, Colo., Building Department Earns Achievement for Solar Practices

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What They're Saying about cdpACCESS

The Code Council is testing all aspects of cdpACCESS, the new, online cloud-based tool built exclusively for ICC's code development process (cdp). ICC encourages user feedback as the rollout continues leading up to the start of the Group C code development cycle for the International Green Construction Code. Members of the Code Council’s Website Users Group have been involved in the testing phases and here’s what some of them are saying about ICC’s bold step to step to transform the way building codes are developed.

Michael Smith
Richland County, S.C.
"I thought it actually worked pretty darned good. It doesn't have all of the bells and whistles yet, but those are things that can be added down the road. The basic functionality is spot on. It should be easy. I think it's going to be a great product for ICC and a great tool for Members and users."

Neville R. Pereira, P.E., CBO
La Canada, Calif.
"The interface is very user-friendly and very well thought out; you can tell that a lot of time has been put into the development of it. Right now, we can only afford to send one or two people to the code development hearings, but cdpACCESS allows voting members in a building department to be involved and to participate in the code development process and the annual business meeting."

In the coming weeks additional features will be rolled out in stages based on the steps in the code development process. These features will include:

• Online collaboration with one or many colleagues;
• View, download and print the Code Change Agenda;
• Online submittal of floor modifications at the Committee Action Hearing;
• Online vote on assembly floor motions following the Committee Action Hearing;
• View, download and print the Report of the Committee Action Hearing;
• Online creation and submittal of public comments to the Committee Action Hearing results;
• View, download and print the Public Comment Agenda; and
• Online voting on proposed code changes/public comments following the Public Comment Hearing.

"The ultimate goal is to provide a superior way to develop codes and increase participation in code development," said ICC CEO Dominic Sims, CBO. "We are confident that code development participants and public safety will benefit from cdpACCESS."

"ICC is taking a bold step to transform the way building safety codes are developed," added Code Council Board President Stephen D. Jones, CBO. "Every effort was made to design cdpACCESs to build a user friendly online experience. We think you will be pleased with the results and we are expecting to make continuous improvements as we receive feedback."

Log in to cdpACCESS today.

First U.S. Assisted Living Community to Meet ICC 700
National Green Building Standard Earns Award

One of only two senior communities in the nation to be recognized by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) for being "green" Oak Hill Supportive Living Community in Round Lake Beach, Ill., received an honorable mention in the 2013 ICAA Innovators Green Award category for its green construction and livable community. The green building materials and practices used in the construction of Oak Hill provide a more comfortable, healthier living experience for its residents as well as a positive environmental legacy for future generations. Oak Hill was the first assisted living community in the United States to meet ICC 700 National Green Building Standard criteria and earn gold certification from the National Association of Home Builders and the International Code Council. Continue reading story

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Fountain Hills, Ariz., Adopts 2012 International Codes

The Town Council of Fountain Hills, Ariz., voted 7-0 to adopt the updated 2012 versions of the International Building Code, Mechanical Code, Electrical Code, Swimming Pool and Spa Code, Fire Code, Residential Code, Fuel Gas Code, and Plumbing Code; the Fountain Hills amendments to the 2012 International Building Code; and amended the town code to include the updated codes. The new codes are effective as of Nov. 21. The only exception was 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. The town will continue to use the energy standards found in the 2006 code, and those building in town may use the updated 2012 version. The council delayed action on the updated energy code at the urging of the Fountain Hills Association of Licensed Contractors, which in a letter stated, "there are items within the (2012 energy code) in its current state that appear to contradict energy efficiency in our desert environment." The association asked that the council consider recommendations to be made by a committee of the association members at a future date since the 2006 energy code currently being used is working well in the current economic environment. Continue reading story

Camp Verde, Ariz., to Continue Public Meetings on IBC Adoption

The Building Safety Department of Camp Verde, Ariz., hosted a public meeting on Nov. 4 to discuss the potential adoption of the 2012 International Building Codes. The meeting was the final meeting regarding possible changes to the International Residential Code (IRC), one of 11 building codes. The meeting focused on plumbing and electrical sections of the IRC. The Building Safety Department encourages architects, builders, contractors and designers and residents of Camp Verde and the surrounding areas to attend.

"The public meetings are a great forum for the people that live and work within Camp Verde to give their input to the personnel that are enforcing the codes," said Kristi Gagnon, fire marshal for the Camp Verde Fire District. "The Town of Camp Verde and the Camp Verde Fire District want to hear how these codes affect businesses and homeowners. While we do believe that the codes are written and enforced for the benefit of all, we also understand that Camp Verde is not Phoenix, and it is possible to amend sections of the code while still meeting the intent of the code. The public meetings give an opportunity for dialogue to help each side understand different perspectives and work towards adopting a code that we all can live with." Continue reading story

Royal Oak, Mich., to Renovate its Property Maintenance Code

The Royal Oak City Commission has voted to renovate the city's Property Maintenance Code. Staff will work to create solutions, which will streamline the process for residents making home improvements to have a little more discretion with the building department. Staff are expected to present recommendations at the strategic planning session set for Jan. 18.

Commissioner Kyle DuBuc agreed it's a good focus for the commission, citing an example where a family experienced code enforcement headaches. "My fundamental issue, without going into any of the details of it, is that had they done nothing there would have been no violations," DuBuc said. "There is no doubt, even part way into the project, the home looks significantly better than it did." Continue reading story

Yolo County, Calif., Building Inspection Division Gets High Rating

The Building Inspection Services Division of the Yolo County Planning & Public Works Department was surveyed by the Insurance Service Office Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule. The survey resulted in a Building Code Effectiveness Grading Classification of 2 — a high rating — for its commercial and residential properties codes and inspections. The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule assesses building codes in effect in a jurisdiction and how the jurisdiction enforces those codes, with special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards.

The assessment evaluates the administrative support for code enforcement within the jurisdiction, adopted building codes and the modifications of those codes through ordinance, code enforcement qualifications, experience and education, zoning provisions, contractor licensing requirements, public awareness and training programs, the building department's participation in code development activities and administrative policies and procedures.

"With a Class 2 rating, ISO will now apply credits to new construction in Yolo County issued a Certificate of Occupancy in 2012," said Yolo County Chief Building Official Lonell Butler. "Ultimately, this will result in decreased insurance rates for our homeowners." Continue reading story

Pikes Peak, Colo., Building Department Earns Achievement for Solar Practices

The Solar Friendly Communities program has awarded the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department a Silver Level certification for adopting best practices in solar permitting. Solar Friendly Communities rewards communities that work to adopt the U.S. Department of Energy's 12 best practices outlined in U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot initiative to drive down the costs of solar energy. The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department is the 11th Colorado jurisdiction to be recognized, and the first in southern Colorado. Continue reading story