Follow the Group A Hearings online.           

The 2015 Group A Committee Action Hearings are underway in Memphis, Tenn. View the schedule and monograph of proposed changes and follow the results online. The hearings are being webcast live on the ICC website, as well, and are scheduled to continue through April 28.

2015 ICC call for awards nominations.           

Nominations are now being accepted for the ICC Awards and Honorary Members. These awards will be presented at various events, including but not limited to the 2015 ICC Annual Conference Sept. 27-29 in Long Beach, California. For applications and more information, click here.

Significant changes to the 2015 IFC.           

The threshold for requiring a manual fire alarm system in Section 907.2.3 of the 2015 International Fire Code (IFC) has been raised from 30 occupants to 50. The emergency voice/alarm communication system requirement has been raised to 100 occupants. (This information is excerpted from the Significant Changes to the 2015 International Fire Code.)

BSM sponsors are making building safety a priority.           

ICC is grateful for the companies and organizations that are making building safety a priority by sponsoring 2015 Building Safety Month. This year's Presenting Sponsors are the American Gas Association, National Association of Home Builders, and the Portland Cement Association. Major Sponsors are Koffel Associates, Laborers' International Union of North America, Simpson Strong-Tie, and the National Multifamily Housing Council. Supporting sponsors are ASTM International, BOMA International, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Lubrizol, and the National Institute of Building Sciences. Contributing Sponsors are AquaStar, Holdrite, National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, and the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

Consumers save energy thanks to new hot tub labeling.           

In an effort to improve consumer energy awareness and demonstrate the energy efficiency of hot tubs, the newly revised American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Association of Pool & Spa Professionals/International Code Council (ICC)-14 2014 Standard for Portable Electric Spa Energy Efficiency is available. Jurisdictions that adopt this standard will require a comprehensive energy label on each hot tub, enabling consumers to evaluate their choices when making a purchase. This new labeling will display the energy consumption compared to all other hot tubs. Read more.

2015 IgCC is available for pre-order.           

The first model code focused on affordable green building design and performance of new and existing commercial buildings, the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) has been updated and is currently available for pre-order. Key changes in the 2015 edition address exterior lighting zones, infiltration rate testing for pervious pavement, material recycling and salvaging, material selection, acoustics, daylighting, commissioning, and much more.

ICC-ES PMG, HIRL offer Canadian recognition.           

ICC Evaluation Service has formalized a working partnership to offer Canadian listings to Home Innovation Research Labs' (HIRL) clients. "Home Innovation clients whose products are certified by ICC-ES PMG know that code officials approve such products for installation with confidence," said Dawn LaFleur-Qualley, Director of ICC-ES PMG. "With full certification by both organizations, the certification reports are more readily accepted in the U.S. as well as all provinces and territories in Canada."

Learn from the experts at the next Residential Institute.           

ICC will host its next Residential Institute Sept. 14 in Atlanta, Ga. Attendees will learn from nationally recognized code administration educators how to perform effective and efficient residential building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical inspections in accordance with the 2012 International Residential Code.

College offers building inspector/plans examiner certificate.           

The New Hampshire Technical Institute is offering a curriculum that prepares building inspectors and plans examiners to critically examine permit applications and plans for residential, commercial, and other building types to ensure their construction is conducted in accordance with relevant building codes. After reading the report concerning the potential shortage of code officials in the coming years, Bruce Buttrick and Tedd Evans of the New Hampshire Building Officials Association decided to take action and approached NHTI with this proposal, and the college agreed to pursue the concept of a training/certificate program for future code officials. "As our profession begins its retirement exodus from this industry, many openings will be coming, especially in New England," added Tom Johnson from the town of Durham, N.H. "This certificate is supported by the New Hampshire Building Officials Association, the International Code Council and eventually the New Hampshire Municipal and Town Managers Associations."

FEMA releases 2014 south Napa (Calif.) earthquake report.           

The report says earthquakes present an opportunity to study how buildings perform when subjected to strong ground shaking, and update building codes and standards for improved performance. Past earthquakes in California have resulted in significant improvements to national and local codes. Read the report.

Codes play a major role in home insurability.           

Code compliance plays a major role in a new publication from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and the Actuarial Foundation. If disaster strikes will you be covered? A homeowner's insurance guide to natural disasters says homeowners can ensure the insurability of their homes by keeping them up to date with applicable building codes. Read more about how codes impact homes providing safe shelter and protecting homeowner investments in their homes.

Ventura Chapter honors retirees.           

The ICC Ventura Chapter recently celebrated the retirements of Steve Sutton (left) and Ed Carlos (right). Sutton retired from the city of Port Hueneme, Calif., with 35 years of service, while Carlos retired from the city of Ventura, Calif., with 40 years of service. ICC Director of PMG Resources Lee Clifton was on hand to present certificates of recognition honoring their dedicated service to safety in the built environment.

Rehr retires after 22 years.           

Technical Services staff engineer Bill Rehr retired after more than 22 years with the Code Council. Rehr's duties included serving as Staff Secretariat for the International Fire Code and the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, and providing technical support internally for product development, training and certification.

Resources

Training & education opportunities

Upcoming shows & events