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Building Safety Month addresses all-age building design solutions

There are 76.4 million Baby Boomers, roughly one-quarter of the estimated U.S. population of 320 million. As they prepare to retire, will the built environment be ready for them? Aging in place is not just about the home, and while many like their current homes and intend to remain in them for as long as possible, the aging of the population will affect every interior environment: private, commercial and public.

Building recognition of code professionals in the U.S. Congress

U.S. Representative Lou Barletta (R-PA 11th District) recognized Building Safety Month and the work of the International Code Council, its Board and its Members during the May 1 proceedings of the U.S. Congress. His remarks are now part of the Congressional Record — the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress. Congressman Barletta, in his continuous efforts to promote pre-disaster mitigation, has been a tireless advocate for the adoption and enforcement of statewide building codes. He has worked closely with ICC and the BuildStrong Coalition on the National Mitigation Investment Act. The Code Council applauds Congressman Barletta for his strong support of building and safety codes, and thanks him for recognizing the International Code Council and its 63,000 members.

Communicating building safety awareness

Building Safety Month depends on the efforts of individuals like you, and ICC has everything you need to assist in promoting Building Safety Month in your community, including strategies on how to set up a Building Safety Month event, a fill-in news release, a sample proclamation, and an official ICC Building Safety Month PSA video you can watch and share.

Representatives of the Building Officials Association of Georgia were in attendance as Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a proclamation declaring Building Safety Month.

Building safety celebrated coast to coast

Safety is the name of the game this month. City officials and code professionals nationwide are stepping up and out into their communities to educate their residents on how building codes and standards are helping to keep them safe — through receptions, roadshows, roundtable forums, presentations, career fairs, webinars, and even baseball games.

FLASH, FEMA launch DisasterSmart initiative

In honor of Building Safety Month, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) unveiled its DisasterSmart — Leadership for a Resilient Future initiative designed for leaders seeking to enhance community resilience before and after natural disasters. Commentary, video and a resource library outline the cost benefits of smart building code practices.

Create a strong foundation for building safety

Science and technology are leading the way for designing and constructing safe, efficient and resilient homes and buildings. In our photo contest's final week, illustrate how following up-to-date building safety codes and standards enable technology to be incorporated into buildings while ensuring safety for lives, properties and investments. Using #CodeHeroes, post your photo with a caption to ICC's Facebook page, on Twitter, or enter using our online form.

High school program builds a resilient future

Resiliency is the ability to spring back; to recover readily from adversity. Our communities have come back from natural disasters and economic challenges, but how will we recover from the mass retirement of skilled construction professionals and safety code officials already underway?

Significant changes to the 2015 IFC

A modification to Table 1004.1.2 (Occupant Load Factors) of the 2015 International Fire Code (IFC) has revised the mercantile occupant load factor and created one factor for all floors. The change will allow all retail spaces regardless of which floor level or what type of merchandise to use a single factor of 60 square feet per occupant.

Say YES to advancing your career

It's never too early to plan the next step in your career, and it's not too early to make your plans for an upcoming ICC Institute. These focused-topic, multi-day events are an opportunity to earn CEUs, learn from expert instructors and build your professional network.

NCARB announces alternate path to licensure

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) announced a new method to achieve licensure for designers with more than five years' experience. Design professionals can satisfy the Architectural Experience Program's (AXP) requirements by completing an online portfolio of work. This alternate path — which calls for the documentation of work that is older than five years in an AXP Portolfio — was designed for those who put off licensure for personal or financial reasons.

Master Code Professionals achieve more

The achievement of the Master Code Professional designation from the International Code Council is the highest level of ICC certification and is the gold standard of building and fire safety profession proficiency. There are more than 900 Master Code Professionals worldwide and their achievements are a benefit to the code enforcement profession, as well as their communities.

Fairfield building official gets highest honor

International Code Council Member Tom Conley, chief building official for the Town of Fairfield, Conn., was recognized as the 2017 Building Official of the Year by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County. Town First Selectman Michael Tetreau presented a proclamation naming May 3 "Tom Conley Day" in Fairfield.

Accreditation is the solution for building departments enforcing special inspections

Under the International Building Code, final authority for recognition of special inspections rests with the building official having jurisdiction. Most building departments do not keep a team onboard with expertise required by the building code to perform these types of inspections and attestation of results.

Plumbing & building manufacturers to benefit from partnership

ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) expanded its partnership certification program with SAI Global-the largest certifying body in Australia and New Zealand. Under this partnership, plumbing product manufacturers and now building product manufacturers will benefit from combined factory audits and streamlined testing, evaluation and inspection from two reputable organizations, reducing the turnaround time and cost to obtain certification in all three countries.

Interesting global construction trivia

Copper has a respected place in architecture thanks to its durability, corrosion resistance and ability to form complex shapes. Forty-six percent of all copper mined is used in building construction. Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright specified copper materials in all of his building projects and AIA Gold Medalist Michael Graves designed over 350 buildings worldwide using copper.

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