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Association of Pool & Spa Professionals President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gottwald (left) testifies before a U.S. Senate Subcommittee on key aspects of the VGB Act and how APSP's relationship with the International Code Council improves residential and public pool safety through adoption of the ISPSC to protect swimming pools and spas.

ISPSC highlighted in U.S. congressional meeting for key role in health & safety

As Memorial Day weekend marked the opening of swimming pools across the U.S., the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security on the improved residential and public pool safety achieved through the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. The hearing was held in remembrance of the 10th anniversary of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, and to call the public's attention to the importance of taking proactive safety measures in aquatic facilities.

S. K. Ghosh Associates joins ICC Family of Companies

To further strengthen its structural engineering abilities, the Code Council added S. K. Ghosh Associates Inc. — a seismic and building code consulting firm located in Palatine, Ill. — to its ICC Family of Companies. The addition expands ICC's technical consulting service for its members and clients, and provides access to an extensive group of world-renowned instructors for ICC's education and training offerings.

Above-average Atlantic hurricane season predicted

As many still struggle to recover from last season's Hurricane Matthew, the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season started June 1, and according to predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration we're in for an above-average season. Forecasts call for 11-17 named storms, including five-nine hurricanes.

International Code Council Government Relations Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes (center) and Government Relations Federal Activities Vice President Chris Ochoa (left) recently presented U.S. Representative Lou Barletta (R-PA) with a recognition award during Building Safety Month for his hard work in advocating and supporting the adoption of strong model buildings.

Fire alarms & sprinklers: Verifying your technical competency

Are you satisfied fire sprinkler or fire alarm test reports you receive are accurate? Are you confident plan reviewers understand the impact adding audible/visual fire alarm notification appliance has on line voltage measurements? Can your fire sprinkler plan reviewers explain how design densities change with commodity classifications?

Stretch your dollars — buy before June 30

Effective July 1, there will be a new price schedule for select products. This early notification will allow you to take advantage of current pricing on the 2015 International Codes, Combos and Commentaries. View a complete list of price changes.

Significant changes to the 2015 IRC

A modification to Section N1103.3 (Duct Sealing and Testing) states the duct sealing and testing provisions have been reorganized to clarify the application. The maximum duct leakage rates are now prescriptive rather than mandatory provisions to accommodate design flexibility.

ICC & NAHB release new TechNotes series

The Code Council and ICC Evaluation Service are working with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to distribute the TechNotes series developed by NAHB's Construction Technology Research Subcommittee and Innovation Research Labs. The TechNotes series is designed to assist builders in understanding and applying the latest code requirements as well as implementing best practices in order to avoid building performance issues related to interior humidity levels, condensation in wall and roof assemblies, and interior air quality.

Pre-order the 2018 I-Codes and save

The 2018 International Codes are arriving in September. The I-Codes are the only consistently updated, coordinated and comprehensive construction, fire and energy codes developed through ICC's consensus code development process. Early bird pricing ends August 31.

Free webinars on significant changes for multifamily buildings, using the performance path for compliance

Don't miss your chance to sign up for free, ICC-sponsored, National Association of Home Builders' live webinars on Significant 2018 changes for multifamily buildings, and the 2015 International Residential Code and International Energy Conservation Code. The June 29 and July 13 webinars will highlight significant changes affecting multifamily construction based on the 2018 International Building Code, and will focus on how using the performance path provides builders more materials and products flexibility while building energy-efficient homes.

Take the course, then take the test

ICC Certification Test Academies are focused training events specifically designed to help building and code professionals take the next step in their career. They provide a classroom-based experience where you get expert instructors, interactive review exercises, practice exams, individual and group-based activities, and ICC exams.

Coming soon: Code specialist designation

Starting July 1, ICC will launch six additional Code Specialist designations as part of its Combination Designations. These designations offer a streamlined path of achievement in the exam process by comprising a quality Code Specialist exam that combines legal, management and customer service elements to present a robust module.

You asked, we listened — increase in exam attempts starting July 1

Effective July 1, the frequency of exam attempts for the National Certification program will increase. Instead of the current rule, where candidates can have two exam attempts in a six-month period, candidates will have the opportunity to take an exam six times in a six-month period if needed to pass.

Ohio Chapter equips members to successfully handle local disasters

The Code Council's popular When Disaster Strikes Institute was recently delivered in Columbus, Ohio, as part of the ICC Training & Education Department's established Institute program. To get as many code professionals trained in disaster preparedness as possible, the Chapter pledged $2,500 in scholarships to its members to encourage attendance.

Part of the 12-member ICC/CALBO Exam Development Committee during a work break. Pictured (left-right, front): Johnny Goetz, Renee Meriaux, ICC staff liaison Doug Hatch and Mike Brinkman; (left-right, back): Art Gonzales, Paul Melby, David Casian and Scott Davis.

CALBO Exam Development Committee is a dedicated team

The ICC/CALBO Exam Development Committee (EDC) has been busy reviewing and updating all the exam questions to be compatible with the 2016 California codes as well as writing and validating new questions on the 2016 code changes. Starting in August 2017, these exams will be referenced to the 2016 California codes.

Mecklenburg County Code Heroes recognized

For the last few years, Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement recognizes and thanks its thousands of dedicated "Code Heroes" customers in the building and development industry for their year-round commitment to building a safe and thriving community. This year, Amec Foster Wheeler, Barringer Construction and Optima Engineering were recognized during Building Safety Month.

Interesting global construction trivia

Paleo Solutions is a company that monitors activity at construction sites and assesses the significance of any fossils or artifacts that turn up, and they have found some doozies, including a 9x10 foot leatherback turtle dating back 12 million years, a Baleen whale fossil and a Brontotheriidae. The company's work is done in the middle of active construction, searching while earth movers are taking the ground down layer by layer.

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