Online Governmental Consensus Vote to develop the 2018 Group A Codes closes Feb. 21.

The Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV) for the 2018 Group A International Codes continues until 11:59 p.m. Pacific on Feb. 21. Log in to cdpACCESS. Eligible Voting Members for the OGCV are all Governmental Member Voting Representatives who were validated for the 2015 Group A Cycle, as well as ICC Honorary Members. View the Final Public Comment Hearing results.

Make plans to participate in the Group B Committee Action Hearings.

Registration is open for the 2016 Group B Committee Action Hearings, April 17-27, in Louisville, Ky. The hearings offer code and fire officials, architects, builders, engineers, designers and plumbing, mechanical and energy conservation professionals an opportunity to provide input on proposed changes to the Group B International Codes. Whether you attend the hearings in person or participate online using cdpACCESS, you can help develop quality building codes that drive growth and affordability through innovation and safety. The schedule for the 2016 Committee Action Hearings will be posted online soon.

Are you eligible for ICC certification reinstatement?

The ICC Board of Directors recently approved a new reinstatement program for expired certifications from ICC and its legacy organizations BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI and CABO. Prior to the new program, certifications more than six years past the initial expiration date were considered expired and required retaking the certification exam. Read more.

Growth accelerates in 2016 for ICC-ES' Building Product Listing Program.

ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) issued six new listings under their Building Product Listing Program. ICC-ES listings advance manufacturers certification scope and indicate to code officials they are approving building products that meet the requirements of specific consensus standards referenced in building codes.

Code Essentials of the 2015 IBC.

There are 10 different basic occupancies in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC), which are then divided into separate subcategories (Table 3-1). The majority of the subcategories are generally listed from the most hazardous use to the least hazardous within the major occupancy classification. Chapter 6 discusses how these multiple occupancy buildings are addressed.

New Concrete Manual examines testing, finishing, inspection and more.

Now updated to the 2015 IBC and ACI 318-14, ICC's Concrete Manual provides the guidance and information inspectors and other construction professionals need to become more proficient in concrete field practices and inspection. Hundreds of tables, figures and color photos are included to deepen the reader's understanding. The manual's author is well-known concrete expert and instructor Gerald Neville.

Wally Baily, Cindy Davis represent state, local code officials on NIBS' 2016 executive team.

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) announced its 2016 Board of Directors, which includes ICC Board of Directors Past President Wally E. Bailey as NIBS treasurer. Bailey, director of development services for the city of Fort Smith, Ark., heads the city's administration and enforcement of building safety, neighborhood services, historic preservation and land development divisions. In addition, former ICC Board Director Cindy L. Davis, CBO, Deputy Director, Division of Building & Fire Regulation, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, returns for a second term.

What you need to know: Hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels.

Hydrogen embrittlement is well known by anchor and fastener manufacturers, but it is not widely known by structural engineers. Embrittlement occurs as hydrogen atoms migrate to the region of highest stress and cause microcracks. In construction, high-strength steels in anchors and fasteners have upper strength limits due to hydrogen embrittlement.

Homeowners offered $100M for upgrading gas furnaces, water heaters.

Ontario, Canada, announced a $100-million program to help homeowners upgrade their furnaces, water heaters and insulation. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and at the same time help create jobs and lower residential natural gas bills. Every building in Ontario will be retrofitted with better windows, insulation, thermostats and heating systems, and the government will use revenue from cap-and-trade to help pay for those upgrades.

2016 ICC Chapter meetings & events.

Central Coast installs new officers
Connecticut District 7 code officials engage in training
FPANT Chapter meets in Dallas on CO2 monitoring
Monterey Bay Chapter names persons of the year
IABO chapter swears in new board officers

ICC affiliate sponsors

Training & education opportunities

Upcoming shows & events