Pictured (left-right): International Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations Sara Yerkes; White House National Security Council Director of Hazard Mitigation & Risk Reduction Policy Eric Letvin; ICC Board of Directors President Alex Olszowy, III; ICC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO; and ICC Vice President of Government Relations for Federal Activities Christopher E. Ochoa Esq.

Executive Order calls for use of I-Codes in all new, leased and regulated federal buildings for seismic safety.

Prior to the start of the White House Earthquake Resilience Summit, President Obama issued an Executive Order, Establishing a Federal Earthquake Risk Standard that calls for new, leased and regulated federal buildings to meet seismic safety provisions outlined in the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). Both model codes are produced by the International Code Council. The IBC and IRC are developed through the Council's governmental consensus process and updated regularly to reflect the latest advancements in building science.

"There is no more important contributor to reducing communities' risks from earthquakes than the adoption and application of modern building codes and standards," said ICC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO, who served as a panelist at the earthquake summit in Washington, D.C. "To survive and remain resilient, and to assure the rapid recovery of local economies, communities must employ the most up-to-date code provisions. This Executive Order ensures that federal facilities and their occupants will be safe when the next earthquake strikes."

Second phase of Group A voting results available; OGCV starts Feb. 8.

Phase two of the 2015 Group A Public Comment Hearing vote was completed on Feb. 1. View the PCH 2 results. A comprehensive list of the Final Public Comment Hearing results for all of the code changes in the 2015 Group A Cycle, along with the Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV) voting options, is also available. Eligible Voting Members for the OGCV will be all Governmental Member Voting Representatives who were validated for the 2015 Group A Cycle, as well as ICC Honorary Members. Be sure to review the OGCV instructions which will be posted on cdpACCESS. They contain important information on how the OGCV will be conducted due to the Final PCH results being based on a combination of the two step electronic process and the in-person Long Beach Public Comment Hearing. The OGCV is scheduled to be open by 3:00 p.m. Central on Monday, Feb. 8, and will continue until 11:59 p.m. Pacific on Feb. 21. An OGCV webinar is scheduled for Feb. 9. Click here for details.

ICC Board denies appeals to G170–15.

Two appeals were filed with ICC on the 2015 Group A Public Comment Hearing (PCH) results for code change G170–15. The appeals were filed by the American Wood Council and Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc. Both appeals challenged the PCH action of As Modified by Public Comment 2 (AMPC 2), citing CP 28 Code Development procedural and process violations. The appeals were processed in accordance with CP 1 Appeals with the ICC Appeals Board recommending that both appeals be denied due to the lack of procedural and process violations. The ICC Board upheld the Appeals Board recommendation and denied both appeals. As a result, the Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV) voting options for G170–15 will be AMPC 2 and Disapproval in accordance with Section 8.1 of CP 28. In taking this action, both the Appeals Board and the ICC Board noted that their denial of the appeal is limited to matters of process and procedure in accordance with Section 5.3.7 of CP 1 and that consideration of the technical merits of G170–15 will be determined by the voting membership during the OGCV process.

New website to keep abreast of copyright infringement lawsuit against IAPMO.

ICC has created a microsite to provide the latest information about the copyright infringement lawsuit filed last month against the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). The site contains news and updates, copies of important legal documents, frequently asked questions, and other information about the case. Click here to view the site.

ICC, ICC-ES lead the industry in building/plumbing product evaluation/certification at KBIS/IBS.

The International Code Council and ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) had another successful year exhibiting at the International Builders' Show (IBS) and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), acquiring a record number of new report applications and Listings from manufacturers, confirming ICC-ES' reputation for high-quality reports and unparalleled service to customers. As major sponsors of the event, a large delegation of ICC and ICC-ES staff, including senior management, assisted a number of manufacturers specifically seeking ICC-ES certification apply for new reports for their innovative building products and plumbing products. Read more.

ICC helps NIBS' STEM education program exceed fundraising goals.

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), through its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education program, kicked off a fundraising effort during Building Innovation 2016 to engage the building community to support the future generation of building professionals. Within 10 minutes of the call to action, industry professionals and organizations — including Building Innovation 2016 Conference Sponsor ICC — surpassed the program's initial goal of $5,000. The funding will support development of the Mars City Facility Operations Challenge, which is geared toward introducing high school and community college students to building sciences.

Hoover receives IABO's first Building Official of the Year Award.

At some point during the Iowa Association of Building Officials' (IABO) annual meeting, there usually will be some tongue-in-cheek awards given, and a few members called out jokingly for some minor indiscretions. But when IABO President Mike Pardekooper started reading off the qualifications for the recipient of the organization's first Building Official of the Year Award, a lightbulb went off for former ICC Board Member Ron Hoover. Read more.

Code Essentials of the 2015 IFC.

Planting vegetation on building rooftops is becoming a common occurrence. The vegetation provides an area for recreational activities or meetings and a significant level of thermal insulation for the building, but also creates several concerns for the inspector and fire fighter such as inhibited roof ventilation and a fire hazard in the form of dying or dead vegetation. The 2015 International Fire Code (IFC) regulates rooftop gardens and landscaped roofs.

(This information is excerpted from the Fire Code Essentials based on the 2015 International Fire Code.)

ICC, NAHB co-publish updated jobsite guide to IRC.

2015 Home Builders' Jobsite Codes is a user-friendly pocket guide packed with more than 100 detailed illustrations, tables and a glossary to facilitate understanding of the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC). Published jointly by ICC and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), this companion to the 2015 IRC is an ideal field guide for builders, trade contractors, design professionals, inspectors and others involved in the design and construction of residential buildings.

Last chance to register for PCI Special Inspector Training course.

Intended for those who conduct special inspections in the precast concrete industry, this three-part Special Inspector Training course co-sponsored by the ICC aims to ensure that inspectors are familiar with precast industry operations and codes. This series of online classes will be held on Feb. 11, 18 and 25. Recordings of each class will be made available to all registered attendees. The entire course is $195, but ICC Members can register with a special discount code (SPIICC) for $75.

Portland BDS reinstates chief inspector positions.

The Inspection Services Division of the city of Portland's Bureau of Development Services (BDS) reinstituted its Chief Electrical Inspector and Chief Plumbing Inspector assignments, effective Jan. 14. McKenzie James (right) was assigned Chief Plumbing Inspector and Brett Welland (left) was assigned Chief Electrical Inspector. James and Welland were selected for the assignments for their extensive journeyman-level inspection and plan review experience respective to their trades.

"Both demonstrate considerable, detailed knowledge of local, state and national codes, along with vast professional plan review experience and the ability to communicate technical code information to a wide array of customers and business partners, both internal and external," according to BDS Inspection Services Manager Mitch Nickolds, CBO.

Oklahoma suburb is tornado-ready.

Moore, Okla. is no stranger to tornado tragedies. In 1999, 2003 and 2013, powerful tornadoes struck the area, killing dozens and causing billions of dollars in damage. But tragedy can breed resolve, and last year, Moore adopted a stricter building code for residential construction, becoming perhaps the first municipality in the country to approve rules aimed at significantly enhancing the structural strength of new homes and making them more tornado-resistant. Read more.

2016 ICC Chapter meetings & events.

Monterey Bay Chapter installs 2016 officers
NHBOA names William McKinney Building Official of the Year
Fire plan review at North Texas Fire Marshal's conference

ICC affiliate sponsors

Training & education opportunities

Upcoming shows & events