2015 Year in Review.

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In every aspect of its business in 2015, the International Code Council found ways to improve service to Members, increase its participation and relevance in the industry, and substantially increase the financial performance of the association and its subsidiaries. This success has allowed ICC to transform as an information and knowledge organization that stays true to its core principles while creating new and relevant activities that are valuable to its Members and stakeholders. For more information on these and other programs, click here to read the 2015 ICC Annual Report. Following are some of the highlights from the Code Council this year. JANUARY ICC submits comments on the proposed Environmental Protection Agency Clean Power Plan, recommending the federal agency strongly encourage state building energy code adoption and compliance as a proven means of end-use reduction. "The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is in use in 47 states at the state or local level, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto," explains ICC Board President Guy Tomberlin. "Studies point out that consumer savings on energy usage offset the upfront costs to building to the IECC. For example, weatherizing every home in the U.S. to IECC compliance would save the country $33 billion a year in energy costs." Maryland is the first state to adopt the 2015 IECC ANSI re-accredits ICC Standard Development Trinidad eyeing the IBC to get ahead of "Wild West" mentality Mineola, N.Y., inspector gives the gift of life FEBRUARY In an initiative that is welcomed by code officials, architects, engineers and contractors, ICC is among the leading associations that are collaborating to align the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 and the LEED green building program. "In just a few years we progressed from developing the first model code for green buildings to a new cooperative document that will make it easier for owners, designers, builders and code officials to deliver sustainable, high-performing buildings," says ICC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. Funding available for states, municipalities that have adopted the ISPSC ICC A117.1 Consensus Committee considers public comments New publication includes 2015 I-Code solar energy provisions, ICC-SRCC standards MARCH ICC and ASTM International are partnering to support the use of codes and standards in sustainable construction in the Middle East. The work is part of The Standards and Codes for Sustainable Construction project and is funded in part through the Market Development Cooperator Program at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. The goal is to enhance the Gulf region's efforts in areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, materials management, building safety, and overall economic growth. Future of Code Officials report is now available ICC-SRCC certification required for Minnesota solar thermal system rebate Tupelo, Miss., dedicates Building Safety Month observance to longtime inspector Azodi named New Hampshire Building Official of the Year APRIL With warmer weather and outdoor activities on the horizon, ICC is partnering with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) Pool Safely Campaign to increase visibility among Americans about pool and spa safety. Pool Safely is the national public education initiative that raises awareness about drowning prevention and entrapment incidents to save children's lives in pools and spas. "This is a great opportunity for our association to partner with CPSC to help educate the public about protecting children from accidents that can be prevented through the adoption of safety codes and standards," Sims says. California celebrates Building Safety Month Consumers save energy thanks to new hot tub labeling ICC-SRCC Solar Product Certification qualifies systems for federal, state financial incentives MAY Jurisdictions across the U.S. are celebrating the 35th annual Building Safety Month with the theme, "Resilient Communities Start with Building Codes." Weekly themes supporting the overall message are: May 4-10, "Don't Get Burned — Build to Code," which focuses on protecting homes and buildings with essential safety measures; May 11-17, "Bounce Back Faster from Disaster — Build to Code," which raises awareness to prepare for natural disasters; May 18-24, "Water Safe, Water Smart — Build to Code," which focuses on pool safety and how plumbing codes reduce water usage and ensure safe drinking water; and May 25-31, "$ave Energy — Build to Code," which spotlights advancements in sustainable design and energy conservation. ICC resources support critical water issues in western states ICC-ES PMG, SAI Global release new plumbing product listings Industry experts announce solar pool heating standard initiative A wish comes true in Alaska JUNE The International Accreditation Service (IAS) issues its 800th accreditation on June 2. A pioneer in the accreditation profession, IAS actively develops new accreditation programs for organizations seeking to demonstrate the highest level of competence and service in their respective industries. IAS accreditation programs are based on recognized national and international standards that ensure domestic and/or global acceptance. "Congratulations to all for achieving such an outstanding milestone and historical accomplishment," says IAS Board of Directors Chair John Barrios. "It truly seems like yesterday that we celebrated the monumental 500 mark and here we are anticipating and expecting the 1,000th client in short order. This is a major achievement for IAS and ICC as the business and brand continues to grow throughout the world." ICC submits recommendations for federal strategies state and local adoptions of disaster-resistant building standards ICC, RESNET develop video on HERS Index ICC, SEAFC observe 35 years of fire prevention JULY In a deal nearly two years in the making, ICC and ASHRAE sign the final agreement that outlines each organization's role in the development and maintenance of the new version of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), ASHRAE, ICC, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The code, scheduled to be released in 2018, will be powered by ANSI/ASHRAE/ICC/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings developed using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved ASHRAE consensus process. The joint Standing Standards Project Committee 189.1 will serve as the consensus body that will work to ensure the standard is consistent and coordinated with the ICC Family of Codes. 2015 IECC adoption, compliance make new U.S. homes more energy efficient ICC-SRCC recognized by city of Los Angeles as solar heating and cooling listing agency ICC, Americans with Disabilities Act celebrate 25 years of accessibility ICC, AIA ink five-year collaborative agreement AUGUST To help combat one of the state's worst droughts in history, officials in California adopt stricter lawn-reduction rules based in part on irrigation regulations developed by ICC and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The new rules, which take effect Dec. 1, specify using drought-tolerant plants on lawns for new homes with more than 500 square feet of landscaped area, and limits turf grass to 25 percent of landscaping, down from a third. "Compliance with ASABE/ICC 802-2014 ensures irrigation systems use less water by providing uniform distribution and uniform growth," Sims says. "It makes for a healthier, more resistant landscape with minimal water use, and greatly increases the ability of compliance agencies to verify irrigation systems are properly designed during the plan review process." Ten years after Katrina: "People had to learn the hard way" HSTTP is building better knowledge at Kansas high school ICC and Hanley Wood form communications partnership SEPTEMBER ICC Members elect Board Officers and Directors during the association's Annual Business Meeting at the 2015 Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif. Alex "Cash" Olszowy, Building Inspection Manager for the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government in Lexington, Ky., is elected President; Georgia State Fire Marshal M. Dwayne Garriss is elected Vice President; and Mission Viejo, Calif., Building Official Jay Elbettar is elected Secretary/Treasurer. Members also elect five representatives to sectional and at-large positions on the Board: Gillette, Wyo., Deputy Building Official Jim H. Brown, Johnson County, Kans., Building Official and Fire Marshal Jerry R. Mallory, and Glendale, Calif., Fire Marshal Stuart D. Tom are Sectional Directors; and Anne Arundel County, Md., Code Enforcement Administrator William R. Bryant and Thornton, Colo., Chief Building Official Greg Wheeler are At-Large Directors. ICC Honors Building Safety Professionals Olszowy: We have a purpose, a vision, and an obligation Tomberlin: Filling the ranks for the future Board extends Sims engagement as Chief Executive Officer 2015 Annual Conference videos OCTOBER The ICC Board of Directors seeks feedback on a proposed revision to Council Policy 28. It contains criteria that a standard must meet to be updated to a subsequent edition in the International Codes. ICC's Industry Advisory Committee submits the proposed revision during the Board's meeting at the 2015 Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif. The proposal seeks to ensure transparency and the ability of stakeholders to review currently referenced standards as they are being updated by Standards Developing Organizations. There are more than 1,400 standards referenced in the I-Codes. ICC Board approves four new Chapters Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition releases drainline transport report ICC-SRCC's Prado completes Energy Execs program NOVEMBER The ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) is part of the first Program Operator Consortium launched for the environmental product declarations market. The consortium — which also includes 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. "This partnership just makes sense." ICC, CSA Group seek comments on rainwater harvesting standard ICC as valuable resource as property owners comply with historic seismic retrofit ordinance 2015 IECC adoption makes new U.S. homes more energy efficient ICC 700 is the basis for green rebuilding in Iraq DECEMBER ICC-ES reports 2015 was another year of substantial growth. The growth is attributed to focusing on enhanced customer service, fast application turnaround time, and continued high quality evaluation reports that code officials look for and manufacturers demand. MiTek-USA Senior Vice President of Engineering Ray Yu, P.E., S.E. says, "Mitek-USA has been a long-term client of ICC-ES and we rely on their expertise, reputation and ability to evaluate innovative building products like ours." ICC-ES' Listing programs also play a significant role in the growth. The Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas program offers certification to the International Plumbing Code, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, the EPA WaterSense® program and an expanded scope from the Standards Council of Canada. The Building Product Listing Program provides manufacturers with credible documentation that their products are compliant with standards used in the building industry. It also has an expanded SCC scope. New appraisal guidance addresses housing built to the IECC Industry leaders spearhead development of Disaster Recovery Construction Specialist certification ICC, ASTM International promote sustainable construction in the Gulf region