The International Accreditation Service (IAS) created a new Building Department Registration Program (RC418) that provides building departments with an administrative/quality management assessment and pathway towards full accreditation.
"The IAS Building Department Registration Program provides building departments with an opportunity to critically assess their administrative, code enforcement and quality management systems with the goal of improving the services they provide to the communities they serve," said IAS President Chuck Ramani. While the registration program provides national recognition for the building department through the IAS listing, it also prepares building departments that may be interested in pursuing full accreditation under the IAS Building Department Accreditation Program (AC251). "Full accreditation may result in even greater benefits such as insurance discounts, liability protection and more," continued Ramani.
The IAS Building Department Registration Program is based on requirements of IAS's Building Department Accreditation (BDA) Program, but does not entail an onsite peer evaluation. The emphasis of the registration program is to provide to building departments a self assessment of their administrative, code enforcement and management processes followed by an independent validation of the assessment by IAS. "By responding to the IAS registration checklist and submitting related documentation for verification, building departments receive an unbiased evaluation by an independent body experienced in the operation of building departments," said IAS Vice President and Chief Technical Officer Patrick McCullen. IAS staff provides its evaluation to the department along with recommendations and resources for improvement. Successful completion of the basic requirements outlined in the IAS Building Department Registration Criteria RC418 results in a registration listing on the IAS website and builds a solid foundation to assist building departments in achieving the ultimate goal of full accreditation under AC251.
Registration familiarizes jurisdictions with the requirements of AC251, provides recommendations on best practices in building department administration, and shows how to properly prepare responses and supporting documentation leading to full accreditation. Most of the information garnered from a successfully registered department is applied to their AC251 Workbook so there is no duplication of effort when seeking full accreditation. As an additional incentive, registered building departments that apply for accreditation under AC251 within the three-year cycle will receive credit towards their application fee and the pre-evaluation onsite visit is waived.
For building departments looking to eventually achieve accreditation, the IAS Registration Program provides a tiered approach that is cost effective and that provides numerous benefits to departments seeking to raise their profile in the community, while pursuing national recognition as a fully accredited department.
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