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Building Officials Association of Louisiana President Blake Steiner and Chapter Board proclaim May as Building Safety Month.

Join the safety awareness challenge: proclaim your support of our industry's future leaders during Building Safety Month.

During May, the Code Council's 60,000-plus Members, along with other professionals in the construction and design community, will conduct events, including school assemblies, hosting information booths at builder supply stores, and implementing proclamation signing ceremonies to increase awareness about the importance of building and remodeling to modern codes and standards. Joining the outreach, the Building Officials Association of Louisiana proclaimed May as Building Safety Month and demonstrated they are partners truly invested in community safety and economic growth.

Discover how you can support Building Safety Month and help showcase the next generation of code officials.

ICC partnership means higher performing buildings will be easier to achieve.

Thanks to a partnership among ASHRAE, the International Code Council, the American Institute of Architects, the Illuminating Engineering Society, and the U.S. Green Building Council to create a unified green building code that could become the foundation for LEED certification, the resulting "IgCC powered by 189.1" integrated document will become the 2018 version of the International Green Construction Code, due to be published in summer 2018. It will provide the design and construction industry with the single, most-effective way to deliver sustainable, resilient, high-performance buildings.

Code Officials: Real-life superheroes.

Superheroes and Code Heroes have more in common than you might think, as both protect the public from harm. This week, trade your hardhat for a superhero cape, and share your real-life, superhero-worthy safety stories with the Code Council. In preparation for Building Safety Month, our #CodeHeroes photo contest focuses on this year's theme, Code Officials — Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth.

Be prepared to vote and participate in September.

The Code Council's Electronic Voter Validation site is an easy-to-use, online portal to check and update your 2017 Governmental Member Voting Representative (GMVR) information. Your ICC Member status and 2017 GMVR information must be up-to-date in order to participate and vote at the Annual Business Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in September.

Save the date: Sept. 10-12.

No other building safety code conference offers more exclusive International Code resources, education and networking opportunities than at ICC's Annual Conference. Join us in Columbus, Ohio, for the 2017 Annual Conference and Building Safety & Design Expo. Take advantage of special pricing for early-bird registration beginning in May.

Significant changes to the 2015 PMG codes.

A new exception to Section 715.1 (Exception for Backwater Valve Installations) specifically addresses a common problem encountered with installation of a backwater valve for an existing building. Retrofit of a backwater valve in accordance with the code in an existing building is nearly impossible without the new exception.

Take your career further, faster.

Held in conjunction with the 25th Building Professional Institute educational program, ICC's Training & Certification Summit will feature three unique training tracks designed to help expand your knowledge on building safety, inspections and leadership. Learn more about our rock star lineup and register now.

Add your voice to the Professional Development Council.

Applications are now being accepted for the ICC Professional Development Council (PDC). Comprised of the Certification Committee and the Education Committee, the PDC is your opportunity to have a say in the governance of ICC National Certification exams and education programs. Applications are due June 1.

Leave no doubts in your inspections.

Residential Inspection Institute • June 26-30 • Rochester, N.Y.
Based on the 2015 International Codes, the Residential Inspection Institute is a prime opportunity to earn 3.0 CEUs, receive answers to your code questions and discuss emerging code enforcement issues and challenges specific to residential inspections. Reserve your spot now before this in-demand institute sells out.

2017 hurricane season forecast update.

An early forecast from Colorado State University scientists concluded that a weak or moderate El Nino is likely by the height of the Atlantic hurricane season, along with cooling temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and the North Atlantic Ocean. An El Nino weather pattern generally results in fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, as it increases wind shear.

Don't miss this year's Western Roofing Expo in Las Vegas.

Western Roofing Expo 2017 • June 11-13 • Las Vegas
Known as the premiere regional roofing and waterproofing event in the western United States, the Western Roofing Expo 2017 features a trade show, educational seminars, keynote luncheons, the Roofing Games, unbeatable networking, and live product demonstrations every hour on the trade show floor. Visit ICC at Booth #566.

ICC-ES is CARB-approved to conduct composite wood product certification.

ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) received California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval to provide third-party certification services to manufacturers of composite wood products destined for sale, supply or use in California. The approval allows ICC-ES to conduct CARB certification to section 93120.4 of the Airborne Toxic Control Measure to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. The products that can be certified under this program are hardwood plywood, medium density fiberboard and particle board products.

ICC-ES and Twining to cooperate in testing and certification of cementitious materials.

ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) and Twining, Inc., are working in concert to best serve the needs of manufacturers of alternative and supplemental cementitious materials. This cooperation makes available a smooth transition between testing and the evaluations or listings of such products.

Save big — transfer your plumbing product listing to ICC-ES PMG.

As the premier product certification program for North America and Canada, ICC-ES PMG offers a lower cost for certification than competitors, expedited certification for all client listings, and accepts test reports from other entities. Unlike many certifiers, ICC-ES PMG does not conduct warehouse inspections and does not charge for additional company listings. Transfer your plumbing product listing to ICC-ES PMG by June 1 and pay just $1,000 per year for four years.

Spanish version of CodeNotes available.

As part of its continued goal to serve the needs of plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas officials, the ICC PMG Official Membership Council has partnered with the ICC Global Membership Council to provide online access to our free and informative CodeNotes in Spanish. Get your free downloadable copy of the newest CodeNotes on the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code in Spanish.

ICC Chapter Leaders: register for Chapter Leadership Academy.

Building on last year's theme of finding, recruiting and mentoring the next generation of Chapter leaders, this year's Chapter Leadership Academy June 6-7 in Atlanta, Ga., will focus on Chapter management skills, including using social media to reach out to new and prospective Chapter Members.

Study: water-efficient toilets save 170 billion gallons annually.

Water-efficient toilets could potentially save up to 170 billion potable gallons of water per year across five states dealing with water shortages, according to new research by the Alliance for Water Efficiency and Plumbing Manufacturers International. This savings can be extrapolated to an estimate of up to 360 billion potable gallons of water per year saved nationally.

Spring air conditioning & heat pump maintenance tips.

Spring is in the air, which means the days of air conditioning are quickly approaching. Now is the time for homeowners to prepare their central air conditioning and heat pump units so they run efficiently. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute offers some excellent tips to improve HVAC performance and minimize repair and energy costs.

Interesting global construction trivia.

In Building 87 at Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Wash., a special anechoic chamber holds the Guinness World Record for being the quietest place on earth. Registering at -9 decibels, it is known as "the place where sound goes to die" and is so quiet that no one has been able to stay in the room longer than 45 minutes without suffering extreme agitation and hallucinations. The walls, floor and ceiling are all specially designed to absorb sound, rather than reflecting it as most surfaces do. Microsoft engineers use the chamber to design, build and test the audio experience for products like Xbox, HoloLens and Surface.

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