Interested in becoming a lead evaluator of building departments? IAS is offering a three-day training opportunity to qualify experienced building officials as lead evaluators for its popular Building Department Accreditation program. Included for registered conference attendees‚ learn about lead evaluator responsibilities‚ as well as the purpose‚ process and benefits of attaining building department accreditation at this years International Code Council Annual Conference September 14–23 in Minneapolis. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis.
The Perfect Opportunity to
Find out More about IAS
If you want to find out more about IAS accreditation programs for building departments‚ fabricators‚ special inspection‚ or testing and calibration laboratories‚ IAS is hosting an exhibit at the Annual Conference in Minneapolis. Stop by booth 1000 and see what we can do for you.
Proficiency Testing Begins
When it comes to dimensional measuring instruments‚ laboratories accredited under ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2005 or seeking accreditation are required to engage in proficiency testing or inter-laboratory comparisons (PT/ILC). This IAS-hosted proficiency testing program provides an opportunity to fulfill the PT/ILC requirement as it applies to calibration of commonly used dimensional measuring instruments.
The course is uniquely suited to calibration laboratories that provide dimensional calibration and testing laboratories that calibrate their own dimensional measuring instruments or any ISO/IEC Standard 17025 accredited laboratory involved in dimensional measurements using the types of instruments used in this program.
Two training programs to review ISO/IEC 17025 requirements concerning Measurement Uncertainty (MU) as well as new interpretations to ANSI/NCSL standard guidelines are set for Atlanta and Las Vegas. The two-day course offers attendees a clear insight into the intricate aspects of this difficult subject through lectures‚ group discussions and practical hands-on work. A first-ever laboratory module will provide attendees with the tools to develop a realistic uncertainty budget. Get the details here.
New CCT Refresher
Course Offered
Two new ASQ Certified Calibration Technician (CCT) training courses are available for laboratory technicians looking to meet the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for calibration in a calibration or testing laboratory. The two-day course will provide a comprehensive emphasis on general metrology‚ measurement systems‚ calibration systems‚ applied mathematics and statistics‚ quality systems and standards and measurement uncertainty. Get full details.
IAS Accreditation Officer Hershal Brewer hosted a half-day tutorial called Accreditation Bodies: Perspectives on Assessing 17025‚ Section 5.2 at the National Conference of Standards Laboratories (NCSL) International Workshop and Symposium in Orlando‚ Florida. The ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 5.2 and its sub-clause requirements call for adequately trained and qualified staff with an in-place training plan that can measure training effectiveness. Read more on Brewer’s presentation.
IAS Board and
Committee News
With interest in the many services of IAS increasing in the Middle East‚ IAS added a new Arabic section to its website and appointed Dr. Izz Eddin Katkhuda of the Arab Center for Engineering Studies to the IAS Board of Directors. In another significant move‚ a new industry representative position was created on the IAS board‚ and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute President James Toscas was appointed to fill the position. The makeup of the IAS Accreditation Committee also has undergone significant changes with the appointment of three new members. Read more on these changes.
IAS eNews
September 2008
Vol. 4, Issue 3
The International Accreditation Service (IAS) is a non-profit‚ public benefit corporation and a leading accreditation body in the United States. Internationally recognized‚ accreditation by IAS makes it easier to market products and services both inside and outside the United States.
IAS Coordinating Programs
with Government Agencies
The vision of the International Accreditation Service (IAS) is to promote safety and the protection of property through the accreditation of organizations that test‚ inspect‚ certify and regulate the products people use in their daily lives. We collectively work toward that end as do many federal‚ state and local government agencies. Often our work follows a parallel track where our efforts overlap. Read an example of IAS working in concert with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
NYC Codes Call for IAS Accreditation
Along with its adoption of the 2006 International Building Code‚ the New York City Construction Codes now include a requirement that all special inspection and testing agencies must be IAS accredited by 2010. Read more on the new Department Approved Agencies Rule.
Alaska Laboratory Earns Accreditation
Pouring of samples after fusion process is complete.
Alaska Assay Laboratories is the first Alaska-based operation to earn ISO/IEC 17025 testing laboratory accreditation from IAS. With sister laboratories worldwide, the Alaska Assay Laboratory offers sample preparation‚ precious metals by fire assay, and inductively coupled plasma analysis for base metals and exploration geochemistry for the mining industry. Continue reading here.
Department Builds Solid Reputation
The Rochester Hills Building Department earned national accreditation by IAS‚ making it the first jurisdiction in Michigan and eighth in the nation to receive the recognition. Accreditation signifies the department operates under the highest professional and technical standards and is professionally qualified to provide a high standard of public safety. Read more on the IAS on-site evaluation.
Grand Rapids Considers Accreditation
Speaking from experience‚ Building Official Scott Cope‚ Rochester Hills‚ Michigan, presented a detailed perspective to the International Code Council Metro Building Inspectors Association of Greater Grand Rapids Chapter on what it takes to achieve building department accreditation. Cope’s Rochester Hills Building Department was the first in the state of Michigan to be accredited by IAS.
The Rochester Hills Building Department underwent its final accreditation evaluation by IAS and received accreditation.
Clark Country Recognizes IAS Special Inspection Accreditation Program
The Clark County Nevada Department of Development Services announced its decision to recognize IAS-accredited special inspection agencies for work in the county. To read the letter from Clark County‚ click here.
Laborers–AGC Education and Training Fund Earns IAS Accreditation
The Laborers–AGC completed IAS accreditation of its training and curriculum development programs for the construction workforce. Laborers–AGC offers curriculum and instructor training in the construction trades, including asphalt technology‚ concrete technologies‚ hazardous waste cleanup and many others. Laborers–AGC received achieved accreditation in 29 fields of training and 32 fields of curriculum development.
John J. LeConche‚ Executive Director of the Laborers–AGC Education and Training Fund‚ said‚ “Independent accreditation by a well-respected organization like IAS sets our training apart. LIUNA members know they’ll receive the best skills training available because it must pass independent quality standards. It’s not just quality training and curriculum because we say so. It’s the best because industry experts hold it to agreed-upon criteria. Accreditation confirms that commitment; but we don’t intend to rest on this accomplishment. We’re proud to be the first to achieve this distinction; now we want to make sure that as many workers and employers as possible benefit from the quality training that is available.”
Pictured from left are: Terence M. O’Sullivan‚ LIUNA General President and Laborers–AGC Labor Co-Chairman; Chuck Ramani‚ IAS President; Edward J. Hynds, Chairman of English Brothers Co.‚ Inc.‚ and Laborers–AGC Management Co-Chairman; and John J. LeConche‚ Laborers–AGC Executive Director.
ACES-Dubai Earns Accreditation Honors
The Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES) in Dubai‚ United Arab Emirates (UAE)‚ was selected as the “Best Accredited Laboratory for 2007” by the Dubai Accreditation Center—Dubai Municipality. ACES first earned ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation from IAS in December 2007‚ enabling them to gain approval by the Dubai Municipality. IAS accreditation has also enabled the organization to better market its capabilities throughout the UAE. Continue reading here.
Pictured from left are Eng. Abdullah AbdulRahman Al Shaibani‚ Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Technical Services Affairs; Eng. Emad Sharif‚ ACES Dubai Manager; Mohammed Abdul Karim Julfar‚ Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Finance and Properties Affairs; and Amina Ahmed‚ Director of Dubai Accreditation Center.
BDA Hot Topic Quality Management Systems for Building Departments
In the past‚ the sole method of quality control was inspection. Finished items were inspected and‚ if defective‚ were scrapped or reworked. As quality management techniques evolved‚ the emphasis diverted from catching mistakes to preventing them. Building departments are no strangers to quality management systems. In essence building code enforcement is a type of quality system. Learn more on what can sometimes be an intimidating topic—quality management systems.
Achieve Successful Quality Management
A top-notch quality management system regularly defines and assesses key performance metrics‚ combines quantitative and qualitative tools‚ and allows for continuous improvement. But what does that really mean? Discover five basic performance metrics.
It’s Not Too Late to Register
Held September 14-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center‚ the International Code Council’s 2008 Annual Conference and Final Action Hearings offers the opportunity to broaden your code knowledge and contribute to the future of building safety and fire prevention. Register today.
Weigh in on 11 Important Criteria
An IAS Accreditation Committee Hearing on proposed Accreditation Criteria will be held September 18 in Minneapolis in conjunction with the Code Council’s Annual Conference. The hearing will establish or revise accreditation criteria pertaining to IAS accreditation programs. See the agenda and items under consideration.
Chat with the ICC Board President
International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland (right) listens as Council Board President Steve Shapiro (left) speaks with a caller during the May Fireside Chat.
Express your feedback and opinions on matters of interest to you and your peers‚ as well as mutual issues and concerns shared by First Preventers nationwide and globally‚ during the Fireside Chat at 2 p.m. EST on September 12. Click here to register.
