ICC announces procedures to address Public Comment Hearing onsite voting problem.

The International Code Council Board of Directors has reviewed the Long Beach, Calif., Public Comment Hearing (PCH) results and concerns with the unexpected voting device problems. The Board has unanimously agreed on a process to address the issue that maintains the integrity of ICC's Code Development Process and the Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV), which follows the PCH. It should be noted that this process will only be used for those code changes that were voted utilizing the voting devices. The PCH action for the code changes that were considered and voted by a show of hands remains as published and will be the basis for the OGCV. The Board has directed staff to develop and utilize a two-step, electronic voting process to re-create the PCH, resulting in accurate and transparent PCH results to be used to conduct the cdpACCESS OGCV. Read more.

RESNET priority is working with jurisdictions, industry to adopt rating index in the 2015 IECC.

The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Board of Directors adopted priorities for the organization in 2016, including working with code advocates, the construction and rating industries, and jurisdictions to adopt and implement the Energy Rating Index (ERI) option in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The ERI option results in increased energy performance of homes while giving greater flexibility to builders to comply with IECC requirements. ICC and RESNET have joined together to assist code officials in determining energy code compliance, educate building safety professionals on rating index options, and to develop standards to make energy compliance more consistent and performance rating systems to increase building water efficiency.

ICC 700 is basis of green rebuilding efforts in Iraq.

Years of war have left wide swaths of Iraq with no power, roads or other infrastructure, and it's critical for citizens to have a way to build homes with little to no waste that can operate in a country with a power grid that only works sometimes. Longtime St. Louis green homebuilder Matt Belcher has started implementing a solution: guiding Iraqi engineering professors through the Certified Green Professional educational curriculum that is based on the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard. Read more.

Building codes are the key to national pre-disaster standards.

Establishing state and local building codes would ensure resilient construction and stop the cycle of spending to rebuild after disasters such as hurricanes, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. The organization said it supports the BuildStrong Coalition's National Mitigation Investment Strategy, which calls for a comprehensive federal plan to improve disaster resilience across the U.S. ICC is a Coalition member.

Significant changes to the 2015 IPC.

A term has been added to Section 202 (Alternate Onsite Nonpotable Water Definition) of the 2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC) to support a revised Chapter 13 that covers how various nonpotable waters are to be collected, stored and distributed.

(This information is excerpted from the Significant Changes to the 2015 International Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes.)

Accessible showers: the devil is in the details.

Where bathing facilities are provided, the International Building Code requires that at least one is accessible according to ICC A117.1. Options include a transfer shower, roll-in shower, alternate roll-in showers, bathtubs with removable seats and bathtubs with fixed seats. ICC Senior Staff Architect Kim Paarlberg examines the reasons behind the requirements and some common difficulties encountered with installing shower stalls. Read more.

South Korean officials express interest in forming an ICC Chapter.

ICC's Governmental Affairs Office in Washington, D.C., hosted professors Kim, Woon-Hyung and Kim, Jong Hoon from the Department of Fire Safety Administration at Kyungmin University in South Korea. The primary purpose of their visit was to learn more about ICC membership benefits and the process to form an International Chapter. Dr. Maurice Ngwaba also attended the meeting to share his experiences about forming an International Chapter in Nigeria. Pictured are Professor Kim, Woon-Hyung (left), ICC's Sara Yerkes (center), and Professor Kim, Jong Hoon.

Sims is commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel.

ICC CEO Dominic Sims, CBO, has been commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Steve Beshear. Kentucky Colonel is the highest honor bestowed by the commonwealth and is given to individuals in recognition of their noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state, or the nation. Sims was presented his commission by ICC Board of Directors President Alex "Cash" Olszowy during the Code Administrators Association of Kentucky Fall Education Conference in Bowling Green, Ky. Read more.

Are you prepared to step into a senior code official position?

Over the next 10-15 years, 80 percent of current senior code officials are projected to retire. Be prepared to take the next professional step as soon as positions are available when you complement your technical skills with valuable leadership training today. ICC's Code Official Institute will be held Dec. 7-10 in Phoenix, Ariz., and is an invaluable opportunity to learn from recognized leaders in the field. Instructors Ron Lynn, CBO, and John Gibson, MCP and CFM, both bring impressive credentials and decades of experience to the classroom.

This Institute will enhance your technical skills, offer management training, and further develop your leadership skills. You'll receive hands-on instruction and the opportunity to discuss and collaborate with peers. You will earn 2.4 CEUs and have the opportunity to go in-depth into topics that include human resource management, financial management, ethics and legal strategies. Register today.

ICC participates in 2015 Campus Fire Forum.

The Code Council participated in the 2015 Campus Fire Forum that was hosted by the Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Rick Wood of the University of Massachusetts Lowell presented a training seminar on the International Existing Building Code, and ICC was an exhibitor during the event's technology trade show. Other events included a live mock dorm room burn and a town hall discussion forum. Pictured is CCFS President Paul Martin addressing attendees during the president's reception.

Bryan Soukup puts youthful drive to work for ICC Members.

One of the rare ICC Government Relations staff members who got his start in government relations and then transitioned into working with building codes, rather than vice versa, Bryan Soukup is one of the newest and youngest members of the GR team. He's used every ounce of his youthful energy during his first six months on the job working for ICC Members. Read more.

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