IAS/CPSE Fire Prevention Council Discusses
Applications, Training and Outreach Efforts

The International Accreditation Service/Center for Public Safety Excellence Technical Advisory Council (TAC)—Fire Prevention Departments met in conjunction with the Center for Public Safety Excellence’s (CPSE) 2012 Excellence Conference in North Las Vegas to discuss applications, training and outreach efforts. TAC members provided IAS with guidance on potential application and evaluation process improvements. The TAC also discussed the progress of the alpha and beta clients' applications, training materials for applicant departments to be developed by CPSE, and outreach efforts. TAC members provided IAS with guidance on potential application and evaluation process improvements. Click to continue.

Model Program for Special Inspection Updated

Published jointly by the International Code Council and IAS, this user-friendly document provides building officials guidance on the administration and implementation of the special inspection requirements of Section 1704 of the 2012 International Building Code. In the past, special inspection tasks were often delegated to project owners, architects or engineers of record, and sometimes building contractors. In the 21st century, the responsibilities of building officials in providing oversight of special inspection activities are driven by several factors, including legal liability, insistence on competent performance and completion of work as specified and approved, and more involvement of local government. Duties and responsibilities of building officials, special inspectors, project owners, engineers or architects of record and contractors are defined in this guide. Click to continue.

BSD SpecLink-E Expands References to IAS to Ensure Competent Fabricators

Building Systems Design, Inc. (BSD) has added specification language for IAS accredited structural steel fabricators (AC172) to several new sections of its SpecLink-E–Spring 2012 release. BSD’s SpecLink-E is a sophisticated, master guide specification system subscribed to by architects, engineers and specification writers across North America. The latest version of SpecLink-E (made available in March) includes IAS references in the fabricator qualifications in sections 014219 (Reference Standards), 051200 (Structural Steel Framing), 052000 (Metal Joists), 053000 (Metal Decking), 055000 (Metal Fabrications), 055100 (Metal Stairs), Section 057113 (Fabricated Metal Spiral Stairs), Section 061000 (Rough Carpentry), 220548 (Vibration and Seismic Controls for Plumbing Piping and Equipment) and 230548 (Vibration and Seismic Controls for HVAC Piping and Equipment.).

American Concrete Institute Spring Convention

IAS exhibited at the American Concrete Institute's spring convention in Dallas that was attended by more than 1,400 engineers, contractors, educators, material suppliers, testing labs, and others interested in improving the design, construction, manufacture, and maintenance of concrete structures. IAS informed attendees about a number of concrete-related accreditation programs, including concrete fabricator accreditation, special inspection accreditation and testing laboratory accreditation.

Fabricator Accreditation Presentations Available to ICC Chapters

IAS Fabricator Program Manager Sandi McCracken and IAS Marketing Manager Greg West gave presentations on the IAS Fabricator Inspection Accreditation Program to ICC's Citrus Belt Chapter in Moreno Valley, the Foothill Chapter in Rancho Cucamonga, and the San Diego Chapter in San Diego, California. The presentations provided an overview of how building departments can use the IAS accreditation program to approve fabricators to work in their jurisdiction based on requirements in the International Building Code. IAS accredits the inspection programs for fabricators of reinforced and precast/prestressed concrete, structural steel, wood wall panels and metal building systems.

IAS Visits International Headquarters of ACES

The international headquarters of the Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES) recently hosted IAS Sr. Policy Advisor Dr. David S. Nelson. ACES was established in Amman, Jordan in 1983, initially as a geotechnical and materials testing engineering organization. Today, ACES provides a complete range of specialized engineering services which includes quality control of projects, special studies, environmental studies, materials testing, and land and marine surveying. ACES has 14 offices located throughout the Middle East, including four which are currently IAS-accredited testing laboratories. Click to continue.

IAS Accreditation Committee Meeting Scheduled for August

The IAS Accreditation Committee will meet on August 10 in Norwalk, California, to discuss proposed revisions to current IAS Accreditation Criteria, to consider new criteria and to provide oversight on various IAS program documents. The meetings are open to the public and interested parties may contribute ideas or voice their opinions on the items posted on the agenda during this open forum. Watch the IAS website for further announcements.

Translated Web Pages Available at iasonline.org

IAS has added four new pages to its website (www.iasonline.org) that include general information about IAS translated into Arabic, Chinese, German and Spanish. The information will help increase recognition for IAS accredited clients globally. "While IAS is a U.S.-based accreditation body, many of our U.S. clients do business internationally," said IAS President Chuck Ramani. "Also, many international clients are looking to do business in other countries. All of these companies must have an accreditation that is recognized by regulators and industries around the world." IAS is able to provide this recognition because its organization is voluntarily assessed by peer accreditation bodies around the world, most of which are governmental regulatory agencies. More than 60 countries recognize each other’s accreditation programs based on the peer assessment process. Click to continue.

IAS Offers ISO/IEC Standard 17025 Training

IAS will present two training sessions on ISO/IEC Standard 17025:
ISO/IEC 17025 (Measurement Uncertainty) Training | August 20–21 | La Habra, California
The program offers participants an initial step to understand the accreditation requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 as applicable to MU calculations.
ISO/IEC 17025 (Laboratory) Training | October 17–19 | Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Knowledge of these standards is critical to any inspection agency or testing or calibration laboratory as well as inspection agencies considering IAS accreditation.

Contact IAS for more information on training schedules, custom curricula, training at your facility, special requests or more information at (866) 427-4422 or e-mail info@iasonline.org.

Recap of IAS Board Meeting in San Diego

The IAS Board of Directors met in San Diego to deliberate on several subjects dealing with governance, receive progress reports on the 2012 business plan, review the IAS financial report and to receive updates from the managers of several IAS accreditation programs. The meeting began with introductions of two new board members: William (Bill) McHugh, Executive Director of the Firestop Contractors International Association; and Rocco Davis, Vice President and Regional Manager of the Pacific Southwest Region of the Laborers' International Union of North America. Click to continue.

IAS Promotes Safe Food and Clean Drinking Water
on World Accreditation Day

IAS recognized June 9 as World Accreditation Day and promoted the theme "Accreditation—Supporting Safe Food and Clean Drinking Water." More than 60 countries participated in the global initiative established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), IAS is a recognized accreditation body and a signatory member of both ILAC and IAF, which provide the infrastructure necessary for consumers in many different countries to have confidence in the safety of goods traded on the world market. Click to continue.

IAS to Present Training at ICC Annual Conference

IAS will present three educational sessions during the Code Council’s Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon:
Building Department Accreditation Evaluator Forum | October 23 | 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Special Inspections—Implementing and Managing IBC Chapter 17 Requirements for Building Departments | October 23 | 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Best Practices: Lessons Learned from the Building Department Accreditation Program | October 24 | 8:00-11:15 a.m.
Special Inspections—Implementing and Managing IBC Chapter 17 Requirements for Building Departments | October 24 | 8:00-11:15 a.m.

Click here for more information.

ARCOM’s MasterSpec Names IAS for Quality Assurance

Designers who use ARCOM’s Masterspec software to design metal buildings are now provided with language specifying manufacturers of metal building systems that are accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS). The IAS Inspection Program for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems (AC472) is listed in Masterspec’s 3rd Quarter update, released in December 2011, to assist designers in meeting the quality assurance requirements for metal building manufacturers. Click to continue.

UL Accredited to New Lighting Standard LM-82

Underwriters Laboratory, of Nansha District Guangzhou, China, has achieved IAS accreditation as a testing laboratory TL441 based on the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Standard LM-82-12. IES LM-82 is a new standard for certification of Integral LED lamps and light engines by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program. The IES LM-82 standard allows manufactures to certify designs for lighting that meet the government requirements for commercial and residential use in the replacement of a variety of lighting products, including new types of lighting solutions and the gradual replacement of incandescent bulbs. IES LM-82 is the "Approved Method for the Characterization of LED Light Engines and Integral LED Lamps for Electrical and Photometric Properties as a Function of Temperature."

Building Departments Offered Verification Tools at No Cost

Special inspection agencies, fabricators, testing laboratories, plan review and inspection services, metal building manufacturers and field evaluation bodies are all covered in the IAS Accreditation Suite, a comprehensive resource that helps building departments with the approval process. Click to continue.

Look for the IAS Accreditation Mark

When you see the IAS Accreditation mark associated with a company or organization, you know IAS has evaluated it for competence and quality.

IAS Signatory of ILAC, APLAC, PAC, IAF

IAS is a Mutual Recognition Arrangement signatory of the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). IAS is also a Multilateral Recognition Arrangement signatory of the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

New and Updated IAS Accreditations

For a complete list of companies and organizations that became accredited or renewed their accreditation with IAS between February 1 and May 1, 2012, click here.

Let IAS Know What You Are Thinking

Share your comments about accreditation with IAS using our new electronic feedback form. See the Feedback link on the Contact Us page of the IAS website.

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