Group A Committee Action
Hearing schedule now available.       

The hearings will begin at 1:00 p.m. on April 19 at the Memphis, Tenn., Cook Convention Center and are scheduled to end on April 28. Click here to view the schedule. Registration is free and encouraged to verify ICC membership status. All ICC Members must be validated by March 20 to vote.

Codes, standards developers align guidelines to create sustainable, high-performance buildings. 
      

Several leading associations that develop codes and standards to create green buildings are collaborating to align the International Green Construction Code, ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 and the LEED green building program. The initiative is being welcomed by code officials, architects, engineers and contractors.

Funding available for states,
municipalities that have adopted the ISPSC.       

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) expects to award $1 million in grants in fiscal year 2015 to reduce deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapments in pools and spas through education programs for enforcement officials. The grant program is part of the CPSC's national effort to make drowning and drain entrapment prevention a critical public safety priority. It is authorized through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act) that was passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in 2007.

PCA, AGA presenting sponsors for Building Safety Month 2015.       

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and American Gas Association (AGA) are Presenting Sponsors for Building Safety Month 2015. PCA is the sponsor of BSM Week 2 (May 11-17). The theme is "Bounce Back from Disaster — Build to Code." AGA is the sponsor of BSM Week 4 (May 25-31). The theme is "$ave Energy — Build to Code." Founded by the Code Council, BSM is a public awareness campaign offered each year to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create and sustain safe and sustainable structures.

Significant changes to
the 2015 IPC/IMC/IFGC.       

A modification to Section 715.1, Exception for Backwater Valve Installations, has been made. Retrofit of a backwater valve in accordance with the code in an existing building is nearly impossible without the new exception. (This information is excerpted from the Significant Changes to the 2015 International Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes.)

ICC-ES PMG, SAI Global release new plumbing product listings.       

The ICC Evaluation Service PMG Listing Program and SAI Global have issued two new listings for two Australian manufacturers. ICC-ES and SAI offer a dual certification program for all plumbing, mechanical and gas product manufacturers. Philmac Pty, Ltd. received PMG-1253 and SAI Global's Watermark License WMKA21131 for its compression fittings used on polyethylene pipes for pressure applications. The ProAcqua Group received PMG-1265 and the SAI Global Watermark License WMK25827 for its water filtration system. Read more.

ICC supports FPE PhD program at University of Maryland.       

In a letter to school officials, ICC Board of Directors President Guy Tomberlin, CBO, and Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO, express support for a new PhD program in fire protection engineering (FPE) at the University of Maryland. "The University of Maryland has an excellent reputation for its undergraduate and graduate FPE programs," they write. "Further enhancing the education and research opportunities with a PhD program is most appropriate and timely."

Webinar update: Hazardous Materials and Use
of Control Areas Based on the 2012 IBC and IFC.       

ICC Plan Review Services Manager Chris Reeves served as the moderator of the successful ICC webinar "Hazardous Materials and Use of Control Areas Based on the 2012 IBC and IFC." The webinar focused on hazardous materials and the use of control areas based on the building and fire codes, and reviewed the requirements of Chapter 3, and Sections 414 and 415 of the International Building Code and Chapter 50 of the International Fire Code.

Why is report writing important?       

Quality inspection reports and notices of violation help ensure code compliance, facilitate repairs and reinforce requirements for safe operations. Report Writing for Code Inspectors addresses skills essential to success in code enforcement, including basic principles for organizing and writing reports, sentence structure, specialized vocabulary, and much more. A seminar based on this book is also available.

Johnson City's Dave Jenny
retiring from chief building post.       

After more than 30 years with Johnson City, Tenn., Chief Building Official Dave Jenny is retiring April 30. Jenny started with the city in 1984 when he became the city's first mechanical inspector. He spent 27 years inspecting all types of ventilation, heat and air units and gas installations before being named Chief Building Official three years ago. "I've watched Johnson City grow," Jenny said. "I can remember when the population was only about 22,000. It's been enjoyable watching it grow, and I've gotten a lot of satisfaction out of it."

Tri-County Officials, NYSBOC delegates hold meetings.       

ICC Board Director Jim Morganson attended the recent Tri-County Building Officials and New York State Building Officials Conference (NYSBOC) meetings in Middleton, N.Y. Morganson swore in new Tri-County officers Steve Hunter, B.J. Gettel and Gene Jaques. Morganson also addressed the NYSBOC officers and gave updates on ICC programs and initiatives.

Upcoming Shows and Events