Download the Group B hearing schedule; validate memberships by March 18.

The schedule for the 2016 Group B Committee Action Hearings is now available. The Group B International Codes include administrative provisions for all codes, the structural chapters in the International Building Code and the International Existing Building Code, the building and energy chapters in the International Residential Code, and all chapters in the International Fire Code, International Energy Conservation Code and International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. To participate in the Online Governmental Consensus Vote which follows the hearings, ICC Governmental Memberships must be current by March 18. Details are available at www.iccsafe.org/EVDS.

Get involved in developing the nation's leading building codes.

With nearly 6 million commercial buildings and more than 130 million residential housing units in the U.S., the influence of building codes is pervasive. To advocate participation in our code development process through cdpACCESS, ICC and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) are partnering with GOVERNING, the nation's leading magazine covering politics and policy issues for state and local governments, on a campaign to encourage jurisdictions to join ICC and get involved as governmental members.

Deadline near for proposed committee interpretation on 2012 IMC section.

A proposed Committee Interpretation to Section 507.2.1 Type I hoods of the 2012 International Mechanical Code (IMC) was posted for ICC Membership review and comment on February 5. The review and comment period will end March 6. The proposed Committee Interpretation can be viewed at www.iccsafe.org/technical-opinions.

ANSI approves revised RESNET/ICC Standard 301-2014.

The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) has posted the revised publication of ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 301-2014, Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Low-Rise Residential Buildings using an Energy Rating Index. The new standard was developed through the ANSI accredited RESNET Standard Development Process and includes the Code Council as a joint sponsor. Read more.

Send us your Building Safety Month proclamations and photographs.

San Joaquin Valley Chapter President Ron Beehler signs a proclamation recognizing Building Safety Month 2016. This year's celebration, "Building Codes: Driving Growth through Innovation, Resilience and Safety," is supported by weekly themes: Week One, May 2-8, Building Solutions for All Ages; Week Two, May 9-15, The Science behind the Codes; Week Three, May 16-22, Learn from the Past, Build for Tomorrow; and Week Four, May 23-29, Building Codes: A Smart Investment. Click here to submit your 2016 Building Safety Month photographs and proclamations.

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-ES issues report to MiTek for fire wall hangers.

ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) issued ESR-3444 to MiTek USA for its FWH Fire Wall Hangers, providing evidence they comply with code requirements of the 2012, 2009 and 2006 International Building Code and International Residential Code. ICC-ES thoroughly examined MiTek USA's product information, test reports, calculations, quality control methods and other factors to ensure the product is code-compliant.

Code Essentials of the 2015 IRC.

Height above finished grade. The 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) intends to protect the building from moisture intrusion that may damage portions of the structure and cause an unhealthy living environment. As part of these requirements, concrete and masonry foundation walls must extend above the finished grade a minimum of 6 inches.

ISO issues national assessment, state-by-state evaluation of building codes.

The National Building Code Assessment Report released by ISO provides a comprehensive examination of the nation's building codes and their enforcement in 20,800 communities representing 87 percent of the U.S. population. The issuance of this first-time report marks the 20th anniversary of the Building Code Enforcement Grading Schedule, which ISO created to assess the building codes in effect and grade communities on both code adoption and enforcement, with a special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. Read more.

Register early for one of ICC's most popular institutes.

Make your plans now for the Plan Review Institute, April 25-29 in Baltimore. Earn 3.0 CEUs while you increase your competency in completing structural, nonstructural and residential plan reviews in compliance with the 2015 International Residential Code and 2015 International Building Code. Register now to get answers to your toughest code questions.

Regulatory gaps leave unsafe lead levels in water nationwide.

The crisis in Flint, Mich., where as many as 8,000 children under age 6 were exposed to unsafe levels of lead after a budget-cutting decision to switch drinking-water sources, may be the most serious contamination threat facing the country's water supplies. But it is hardly the only one. Unsafe levels of lead have turned up in tap water in city after city as well as in scores of other places in recent years. Read more.

USAB mourns passing of former chair Tricia Mason.

The United States Access Board (USAB) announced the death of former Board member and chair Tricia Mason of Myrtle Beach, S.C., after a brief illness. Appointed to the Board in April 2005 by President George W. Bush, Mason was elected its chair two years later. She was active in the Board's development of accessibility guidelines and represented the agency on the Election Assistance Commission's Board of Advisors and Technical Guidelines Development Committee.

2016 ICC Chapter meetings & events.

ICC's newest Chapter NEBOEA installs officers
Peninsula Chapter installs new officers
FMAU Chapter receives 2015 IBC Means of Egress training

ICC affiliate sponsors

Training & education opportunities

Upcoming shows & events