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ICC: Bringing People Together to Address Complex Issues When the need arises, the International Code Council brings together Members, stakeholders and other technical experts to address complex issues in the construction industry. ICC is planning to do so again this summer by partnering with other organizations to host three events: 1. The ICC, National Association of Home Builders and National Multifamily Housing Council will convene a roundtable of stakeholders in July to examine safety improvements to combat fires in buildings under construction. Recent incidents have resulted in injuries and caused destruction. 2. A second roundtable gathering will look at maintaining, versus extending, the current three-year code adoption cycle. Partaking stakeholders will examine causes and effects of delaying adoption or extending the adoption cycle by rulemaking or legislation and its impact on public safety. 3. The ICC and National Institute of Building Sciences will convene a national summit—Career Pathways for Future Code Officials—to examine issues and propose solutions related to education and development of professional code officials. More information on these three events will be available soon. |
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National Forum Focuses on Building Codes for a Stronger and Safer America The BuildStrong Coalition and Congressional Fire Services Institute recently hosted the 2nd Annual National Thought Leaders Forum on Building Codes for a Stronger and Safer America. The event in Washington, D.C., featured a Congressional Panel and Industry Roundtable where lawmakers and safety advocates examined the need for stronger building practices to help mitigate future disasters. Speaking during the Industry Roundtable, Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims said the first and most important step in disaster mitigation is code adoption and enforcement. "Today's challenge is the need for more widespread adoption and compliance," he said. "We know with measurable results that structures built to comply with the latest codes are much more resilient to anticipated risks such as wind, fire, flooding, and seismic loads. "What we also know is that adoption of the latest codes is not consistent throughout the country," Sims continued. "All jurisdictions have a process to consider updates to their codes, and in recent years there has been some opposition to the latest editions of codes based on the idea that they increase building costs." With the continued development of the International Codes by industry representatives—to include the incorporation of new technologies and building science and the removal of obsolete mandates—Sims said the investment in code adoption and enforcement pays huge dividends down the road. "Generally, the cost increases and decreases balance out," he explained. "But the really big savings comes when a disaster strikes: the value of a life saved; a critical facility that is still in service; and a home that survives with only minor damage. The savings in these instances is always higher than the initial investment. And for the federal, state and local governments, insurers and taxpayers who have to deal with aftermath, the savings are in the billions." The Industry Roundtable was moderated by Julie Rochman, President and CEO of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. In addition to Sims, other participants were Bill Windsor, Associate Vice President of Consumer Safety for Nationwide Insurance; Bill Jenaway, President of the Congressional Fire Services Institute; David Heyman, Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Michael Lingerfelt, Chair of the Disaster Assistance Committee, American Institute of Architects. Participants in the Congressional Panel were Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), sponsor of the Safe Building Code Incentive Act and Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act; Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL), sponsor of the Disaster Savings Account Act of 2013; Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), co-sponsor of the Safe Building Code Incentive Act and member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), an advocate of strong mitigation measures. The general consensus of the Congressional panelists is that building stronger is a non-partisan issue and, although the Federal government has to be a partner and play a role to incentivize, logic and common sense must also be part of the plan. With after-disaster costs rising and federal dollars to rebuild more scarce, strong building practices and the adoption of codes are the keys to saving lives and creating more resilient buildings. Key findings during the event included: • Compliance with codes is a must. • The public's expectations are not aligned with what is being built; need comprehensive educational plan for the general public, particularly homeowners. • There is a bigger problem with the nation's current housing inventory than new construction; need to be more proactive. • Public safety is the number one responsibility of government. Need more training and education. • If we want to save money and protect our investment, then we must support resilience. • It doesn't have to be this way (expensive mitigation costs); legislative bills are a good start but we would be smarter to change "headlines." • The message for state and local jurisdictions: it is a community issue. "The good news for Congress is our system of developing and adopting codes at the state and local level, when kept up-to-date, works very well," Sims concluded. "We don't come here asking for financial support or tax breaks. What we do seek is support for the policy and research we get from agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of Energy. We also think it makes sense, as Congress considers how best to allocate scarce funds such as funding for mitigation under the Stafford Act, that those funds be prioritized to states that do the right thing by adopting and enforcing the most current building codes. That's what the Safe Building Codes Incentive Act of 2013 would do; simply provide a small incentive in the funding formula for states that adopt and apply current building codes. No additional money, just spending current dollars in a smarter way and you get better results." |
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ICC to Relocate West Coast Operations to a New, State-of-the-Art Facility The International Code Council announced the relocation of its Western Regional Office into a new, state-of-the-art facility in Brea, Calif., coming July 2014. The new location will continue to provide a global gateway for accreditation and product certification for its subsidiaries ICC Evaluation Service, LLC (ICC-ES) and the International Accreditation Service (IAS). The new office will provide clients and customers with best-in-class service. Global and western regional activities and roles will move to the Brea location, allowing for ease of access to important services and providing ICC with a platform to better meet the needs of its customers. "ICC is committed to serving as a catalyst for innovations that build a safer world," said ICC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims. "Our new Western Regional Office location is the perfect place for us to further our mission that all concerned with the safety and performance of the built environment have access to resources and tools that help ensure safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient communities." |
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ICC Seeks to Honor Deserving Individuals, Organizations Do you know an outstanding person or organization deserving to be recognized for efforts to promote safety in the built environment? Each year the International Code Council honors outstanding service and achievements that contribute to saving lives, protecting property and creating resilient communities. Nominations now are being accepted for the Code Council's annual awards in several categories to honor accomplishments and service to ICC and safety in the built environment. The deadline to submit nominations for ICC Awards is the close of business on July 1, 2014. Nomination forms and award criteria are available at: www.iccsafe.org/2014AwardsCall. Nominations may be emailed, mailed or faxed. Any enclosures in addition to the form must be sent in multiples of seven for committee review. |
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Forecasters Say Another Quiet Hurricane Season Possible After one of the quietest hurricane seasons in decades, forecasters with The Weather Channel predict a below-average 2014 Atlantic hurricane season. The early outlook calls for 11 named storms, including five hurricanes, two of which are predicted to attain major hurricane status. This is slightly below the long-term average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. The season begins June 1. Although fewer storms are predicted, their strength and potential for damages are not diminished. The Code Council offers numerous tips and recommendations to assist public safety officials, design professionals, inspectors and contractors to prepare for hurricanes. Information also is available to citizens to protect their families and homes before, during and after the storm. At the beginning of the hurricane season, homeowners are encouraged to prepare emergency supplies and store bottled drinking water; store flashlights and batteries; clean storm gutters and drains; prepare their homes for high winds and rain; repair/replace storm shutters; and check your property insurance policy for appropriate coverage. Continue reading story |
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Code Officials Become Energy Code Ambassadors in the State of Texas; ICC Cosponsors The South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) provided 13 building code professionals advanced training to become certified Energy Code Ambassadors in the state of Texas. These experienced code enforcement professionals have stepped forward to offer their expertise and assistance to other building departments and the construction industry, to assure that construction of buildings and homes comply with the energy code, providing greater energy efficiency. Energy Code Ambassadors can be reached by phone or email to answer questions about the energy code. An Ambassador has access to resources to assist local enforcement staff, may be called upon to provide local training for building professionals, or peer-to-peer assistance on plan reviews or technical issues facing the industry. The Energy Code Ambassador Program was sponsored in Texas by SPEER, BCAP, the International Code Council and the State Energy Conservation Office. |
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FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Report Touts Importance of Codes The report states: There is no more important factor in reducing a community's risk from an earthquake than the adoption and enforcement of up-to-date building codes. Read the report. |
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Design and Construction Industry Commitment to Resilience Panel Featured at the National Building Museum The International Code Council is among the leaders of more than 20 associations involved and dedicated to promoting resilience in the built environment in a unified way. A May 13 event "Alliance for Resilient Tomorrow" at the National Building Museum—America's leading cultural institution devoted to the history and impact of the built environment—will feature panel discussions of several CEOs who support the pledge and will explore how this industry and its members can make the nation's infrastructure and environment safer and more secure. |
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Lend Your Voice to the Conversation at EE Global The International Code Council is pleased to announce that you have the opportunity to join us and other premier energy efficiency experts at EE Global 2014! Claim your seat at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., from May 20–21. |
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Register Today for 10NCEE—10th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering The International Code Council is a proud sponsor of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and invites you to attend the 10th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (10NCEE) held July 21-25 in Anchorage, Ala. |
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Want to Reduce the Costs of Natural Disasters? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there have been 151 major natural disasters in the United States that exceed $1 billion of economic losses between 1980 and 2012. Strong building codes are a preventative measure that can help save lives, protect property and reduce taxpayer exposure to natural disasters. On May 1, in conjunction with the kickoff of National Building Safety Month, the BuildStrong Coalition and the Congressional Fire Services Institute hosted the second annual National Thought Leaders Forum: Building Codes for a Stronger and Safer America. At the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. |
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