Future of Code Officials
report is now available.       

ICC has released the report, "Raising the Profile, Filling the Gaps: Report from a Town Hall Meeting on the Future of Code Officials," which summarizes the findings of a Town Hall Meeting held during the Code Council's 2014 Annual Conference. The report is available online and includes recommendations for individual code professionals and guidance for ICC. Results of the first-of-its-kind nationwide survey of code officials also are available. "We must act now to bring the next generation of code officials into our vocation or risk a serious impact on public safety and the quality of building department staffing," said ICC Board of Directors President Guy Tomberlin, CBO.

Call for committee members for Standard 189.1,
which is the basis for the next version of the IgCC.       

A call for Members has been announced for the SSPC 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings Project Committee. Standard 189.1 will become the basis for the technical content of the next version of the International Green Construction Code. Persons interested in serving on this ASHRAE committee are asked to obtain the necessary forms and information by clicking here, or by contacting Stephanie Reiniche by phone at 678-539-1143 or by email. The deadline for applications is March 27, 2015.

L.A. mayor's earthquake plan is "biggest step forward."       

Moving forward with just a few of the projects outlined in an earthquake action plan unveiled in December by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti would be "the biggest step forward" in the city's efforts to fortify its buildings and infrastructure against damage from seismic disasters, according to U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, the mayor's point person on earthquakes. At a recent L.A. Chamber of Commerce event, Jones talked about proposals for protecting the city's buildings and their occupants in the event of a major earthquake, as well as the water system and telecommunications infrastructure.

Tornado safety: stronger construction
standards can reduce destruction.       

Dr. Tim Reinhold, chief engineer and senior vice president of research for the Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety (IBHS), presented several new recommendations to reduce tornado damage through stronger construction practices during a presentation at the National Tornado Summit in Oklahoma City. He specifically noted the importance of including internal pressures in building design and continuous load paths. "We can more than double the strength of buildings to resist wind loads by installing the connections correctly," he said. IBHS' FORTIFIED Home and FORTIFIED COMMERCIAL standards are designed to help strengthen new and existing structures through retrofit techniques that will ward off damage from specific natural hazards. Read more.

ICC-ES reports, listings give builders assurances they want.       

Product performance and availability often trump price, according to a survey conducted by Builder magazine. ICC Evaluation Service reports and listings provide the assurance builders want that they are choosing code-compliant products that meet their performance needs.

Telling the story of how ICC and
its Members keep communities safe.       

Some may think that the life of a Board member is filled with interesting travel, resorts, fancy dinners and other trappings of the leisure class. As the appointed liaison to the National Association of Home Builders, it occurred to me that ICC Members may wonder what the value is to them for me to travel across the United States, stay in a Las Vegas hotel and generally hang out for five days. Here's the deal.

Free download of FEMA's
Reducing Flood Losses guide.       

Developed by ICC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Reducing Flood Losses through the International Codes Coordinating Building Codes and Floodplain Management Regulations 4th Edition, 2014 is intended to help state and local officials integrate the International Codes into their current floodplain regulatory processes related to structures, buildings, and other development in order to meet the requirements to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Seminar update: 2015 IFC Essentials.       

Kevin Scott is the subject matter expert of the new ICC seminar "2015 International Fire Code Essentials." This seminar introduces the application of the IFC administrative requirements, occupancy classification, general precautions against fire, emergency planning and preparedness, fire service features, interior finish, decorative materials and furnishings, fire protection systems, means of egress, and provide an introduction to hazardous materials.

EE Global Forum returns to Washington, D.C., in May.       

The eighth EE Global Forum returns to Washington, D.C., May 12-13. The forum brings together industry professionals, members of academia and policy makers looking to create partnerships, discuss the latest technology, and develop "best practices" policies and strategies for global implementation of energy efficiency. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Plenary and Executive Dialogue sessions aimed at driving actionable plans for the next generation of energy efficiency. This year's forum also features an Embassy Tour, which will give participants an opportunity to attend the Canadian and German embassies who are leading the charge in energy efficiency. Participants will learn about green initiatives, embassy retrofits, and each country's energy efforts while networking with other elite-level attendees. Purchase your ticket today!

APSP announces strategic staff changes.       

Carvin DiGiovanni, the 2014 recipient of the ICC Affiliate Award, has been promoted to vice president of technical standards for the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP). He will lead the association's standards writing efforts globally with the American National Standards Institute and the Code Council. DiGionvanni played an instrumental role in the development of the International Swimming Pool & Spa Code. APSP also announced that Patrick J. Giambalvo has joined the association as vice president of business development. Read more.

Sauers presented Lifetime Honorary Membership award.       

The Pennsylvania Association of Building Code Officials presented Thomas Sauers a Lifetime Honorary Membership award for his 27 years of service to the Chapter and the industry. Sauers also received proclamations from the Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives and the Borough of Lewisburg.

Deadwood, S.D., building inspector retires after 25 years.       

After overseeing roughly $300 million in construction projects that transformed Deadwood, S.D., since legalized gaming was introduced, the city's building inspector Keith Umenthum put down his clipboard after 25 years of service. Umenthum took the job in February 1990 just months after Deadwood became the third locale in the U.S. to offer legalized gaming. He says that the biggest challenge he faced at that time was "ensuring people didn't tear down historic buildings." A quarter century later, Umenthum says, his biggest success was the city's historic preservation.

ICC's Clifton honored by Ventura Chapter.       

Government Relations Director of Plumbing Programs Lee Clifton was recently honored by the ICC Ventura Chapter for his outstanding service. Clifton serves as the staff liaison to the Chapter and has performed several duties, including installing Chapter officers and directors.

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