President proclaims May as National Building Safety Month.

President Obama proclaimed May 2016 as National Building Safety Month in the United States, encouraging citizens, government agencies, businesses, non-profits and other interested groups to join in activities that raise awareness about building safety. He also calls for all Americans to learn more about how they can contribute to building safety at home and in their communities.

"The Science behind the Codes" is the theme for Building Safety Month week two.

Do you wonder how a building withstands an earthquake or tornado, or how it stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer? The answer to both questions is building science and the codes that assure their performance. Building codes are made up of requirements — based on science involving research in many different areas — for how to design and construct homes and buildings. When science reveals ways to improve an area of building safety, these findings can be included in the code requirements and standards.

2016 ICC call for awards nominations.

Nominations are now being accepted for the ICC Awards and Honorary Members. These awards will be presented at various events, including, but not limited to, the 2016 ICC Annual Conference October 16-18 in Kansas City, Missouri. View more information on the Chapter/Regions Awards Program.

Join the movement to raise funds for emerging code professionals.

Last year's 1st Annual Ron Burton Golf Outing held during the 2015 ICC Annual Conference was a tremendous success and raised $30,000 to support the next generation of code professionals, and helped fund the "Journey to Leadership" program to support new and emerging code officials. This year, ICC's Past Presiding Officers will host the 2nd Annual Ron Burton Golf Outing on Oct. 16 during the 2016 ICC Annual Conference in Kansas City, Mo. We again invite you to show your support.

Pictured (left-right): David Walls, ICC; Santiago Creuheras, SENER; Evangelina Hirata, CASEDI; Undersecretary Leonardo Beltrán, SENER; Richard Shackleton, UK Embassy; Julia Martinez, CTSEMBARQ; and Odón De Buen, CONUEE.

The Energy Conservation Code for Mexico is presented at the Ministry of Energy.

As the result of several years of work in cooperation with national and international institutions and organizations, the Energy Conservation Code for Mexico was formally introduced on March 8 at a ceremony headed by Leonardo Beltrán, Undersecretary of Planning and Sustainability of the Ministry of Energy of Mexico, and Odón de Buen, General Director of the National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy.

Code Essentials of the 2015 IBC.

The 2015 International Building Code (IBC) requires existing buildings to comply with the International Existing Building Code (IEBC). When a building is constructed as a shell building and not initially occupied, it is still considered a new building and must comply with the requirements of the IBC. Once it is occupied, any work involving an alteration, addition, repair or change of occupancy must comply with the IEBC.

New rule for exam candidates.

To speed up the check-in process, the Certification Committee has ruled that, as of May 1, exam candidates in the National Certification and National Contractor/Trades programs may bring any copyrighted bound reference into a test site (excludes Fire Inspector I, Fire Inspector II exams). Test questions will still come only from references listed in the bulletins as approved. For more information, email certexam@iccsafe.org or call 1-888-ICC-SAFE (1-888-422-7233), ext. 5524.

ICC-ES seeks individuals to serve on its Board of Managers.

The ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) seeks to fill openings on its Board of Managers with qualified individuals who will participate and contribute to the governance of ICC-ES through effective guidance on programs, activities and goals. Terms of service start Sept. 1; applications will be accepted until May 13.

Keeping it in the family. ICC Board Director Jay Elbettar, building official for Mission Viejo, Calif., gives new meaning to developing the next generation of code officials while reviewing the 2015 International Residential Code with his daughter, Nora. You can never start succession planning too early!

Start 'em when they're young.

It's never too early to think about a career in the building industry. At least that's what Hood Construction of central South Carolina, believes. Outfitting a group of home-schooled kids with safety vests and hard hats, the company engaged the young students on the job site, potentially leading them to explore careers in construction.

No rotten apples or oranges this time for Jefferson County's Bill Mullins.

When Bill Mullins, director of Inspection Services for Jefferson County, Ala., received the phone call from the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, he originally thought it was a joke. "My first thought was, 'What do they plan to do, put me on the stage and throw rotten eggs and apples at me?'" Mullins remembers. "Code officials are regularly cursed, but rarely awarded for anything."

ICC renews top sponsorship for Building Innovation 2017.

For the second year, the International Code Council renewed its commitment as the Conference Sponsor for Building Innovation 2017: The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Fifth Annual Conference and Expo. ICC is a Sustaining Organization Member of NIBS and ICC representatives participate in leadership roles on a number of NIBS councils and committees, as well as NIBS' Board of Directors. Building Innovation 2017, to be held January 9-12, 2017, in Washington, D.C., will focus on Collaborating for a High-Performing Future.

2016 ICC Chapter meetings & events.

WCBO Chapter to celebrate 40th anniversary.
Newport Beach wins building department award from CALBO.
AZBO board proclaims Building Safety Month 2016.
NHBOA, ICC staff attend GMNHBRA Home Builders breakfast.
WSTBOA Vice President James Pacanowksi passes away.
Ashland, Ky., signs proclamation for Building Safety Month.

What we're reading, following and covering.

There's a lot happening — domestically and globally — in building safety, fire prevention, sustainability and resiliency right now. Our aim is to provide busy professionals like you with a weekly run-down of the most compelling industry news stories concerning the safety, science and performance of the built environment. We do the reading for you and break down the latest news and information into an easy-to-digest format with fresh insight.

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