Group B code change deadline is Jan. 11; save the dates for the Committee Action Hearings.

The deadline to submit online proposed changes to the Group B International Codes via cdpACCESS is Jan. 11, 2016. A series of webinars are scheduled to assist in the development of code changes. The Group B I-Codes consist of the International Building Code — Structural, International Existing Building Code — Structural, International Residential Code — Building and Energy, International Fire Code, International Energy Conservation Code — Commercial and Residential, International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, and the Administrative provisions for all of the codes. The 2016 Committee Action Hearings will be held April 17-27, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. Click here for more details.

ICC issues call for consensus committee members.

ICC is accepting applications for its Consensus Committee on Bleacher Safety (IS-BLE) and Consensus Committee on Log Structures (IS-LOG). The ICC Standard on Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating, and Grandstands (ICC 300-2012), first published in 2002, will undergo an IS-BLE committee and public review process to determine whether the standard will be re-affirmed, revised or withdrawn. The ICC Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures (ICC 400-2012), first published in 2007, will undergo an IS-LOG committee and public review process to determine the same status. The application deadline for both committees is Jan. 21. Click here for details.

ICC-ES part of first consortium launched for environmental product declarations market.

The new Program Operator Consortium — which includes the ICC Evaluation Service, ASTM International, NSF International and Sustainable Minds — will serve as an expert resource and advocate for creating product category rules, reviewing life cycle assessment reports, and verifying and publishing environmental product declarations. "When an architect or another specifier is choosing which products to use, ICC-ES and our partners in this effort want them to recognize that a high-profile group is now linked together, providing instantly recognizable value in the marketplace," says ICC-ES President Shahin Moinian. The consortium was announced during the Greenbuild 2015 International Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C.

New appraisal guidance addresses housing built to the IECC.

The long-standing confusion on the valuation of green and energy-efficient residential properties has received some much-needed clarification via a new guidance created and distributed by the Appraisal Institute and the Building Codes Assistance Project. "New homes built to the 2012 or 2015 IECC [International Energy Conservation Code] are high-performing, and the appraisals should reflect that," said Maureen Guttman, president of the Building Codes Assistance Project. "This letter gives the industry step-by-step guidance to help make that happen."

Central Asian nations updated on ICC green codes and standards.

Code Council Vice President of Regulatory Activities David Karmol gave a presentation on ICC energy conservation and green codes and related standards to delegates from five Central Asian nations at an event organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Law Development Program. Delegates from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan attended the event in Washington, D.C.

Planning is underway for 2016 Building Safety Month.

Building Safety Month (BSM), founded by the ICC more than 35 years ago and celebrated worldwide during May, is a public awareness campaign that raises the profile of building safety professionals and helps individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. BSM also raises and reinforces the need for adopting the most up-to-date model building codes supported by strong, efficient code compliance and a well-trained, professional workforce. ICC, its Members, jurisdictions, government agencies, professional associations, labor and others in the construction industry, and corporations come together to support BSM because they understand the need for safe and sustainable structures where we live, work and play. Keep an eye out in the weeks to come for more info about 2016 BSM and how you can participate, including sponsorship opportunities.

Significant changes to the 2015 IFC.

An addition to Section 901.8.2 (Removal of Existing Occupant-Use Hose Lines) has been made to the 2015 International Fire Code (IFC). The new section states that existing 1.5-inch hose lines can be removed under certain circumstances; it does not say that the system can be removed. The hose lines can be removed only if all specified criteria are met.

(This information is excerpted from the Significant Changes to the 2015 International Fire Code.)

Preferred Provider Program benefits training providers and participants.

ICC's Preferred Provider Program offers expanded training opportunities to ICC Members and customers, and training providers a larger platform to reach prospective participants. The Program also supports new ICC certification renewal requirements that a certain percentage of CEUs must be earned from Preferred Providers or ICC Training (a minimum of 40 percent beginning on Jan. 1, increasing to a minimum of 50 percent beginning on June 1).

Browse the Preferred Provider training courses now to plan your 2016 training. Visit the website to learn more about becoming a Preferred Education Provider.

Code hearings available for viewing with new video subscription.

A new ICC service allows professionals in code enforcement, product manufacturing and design to review all discussion from the 2015 Committee Action Hearings and 2015 Public Comment Hearings. The videos are easy to search and include complete coverage of each event. Video subscriptions for either set of hearings are available for one month or one year.

Building Innovation 2016 to focus on achieving a resilient future.

It's less than a month away from the one event that gathers all of the building industry players together to collaborate on important industry-wide solutions. Building Innovation 2016: The National Institute of Building Sciences Fourth Annual Conference & Expo, January 11-15, 2016, at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Metro Washington, D.C., is set to coordinate the efforts of all disciplines toward Achieving a Resilient Future. The International Code Council is the Conference Sponsor. Read more.

FLASH conference focusing on the next generation of resilience.

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) 2016 Annual Conference, Jan. 27-29, at Florida's Wyndham Grand Orlando Bonnet Creek, will bring together the nation's foremost voices in the disaster safety and resilience movement to share best practices, collaborate, network and create meaningful action. With the theme "The Next Generation of Resilience," conference topics will focus on building codes and standards, building product innovation, financial solutions, policy leadership, public education and outreach activities, and much more. Click here for registration information.

COCOA holds annual meeting, installs officers.

The Central Ohio Code Officials Association (COCOA) held its Annual Meeting in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Donald L. Phillips of the city of Worthington was elected President. ICC Government Relations Senior Regional Manager Corey M. Roblee was on hand and installed the newly elected officers.

Fields named director of Alexandria's Code Administration.

Alexandria, Va., City Manager Mark B. Jinks has appointed Gregg C. Fields as Director of Code Administration. Fields had been acting director since Dec. 18, 2014, and joined the city in 2001 as the first trade combination plans examiner. Fields served in the U.S. Army and the Virginia National Guard, and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal and the Virginia Emergency Services Ribbon. He is a building and property maintenance code official, certified by ICC and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

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