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Code Council ramps up help to the victims of Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey has caused billions of dollars in damage and driven thousands of people from their homes. Subsequent flooding has produced dangerous conditions in southeast Texas and Louisiana. To help those in the affected areas, the International Code Council is pledging to match member, staff and stakeholder donations up to $64,000, made during the next three weeks, to the American Red Cross. We are an association of 64,000 members and together we can make a difference.

ICC launches new PRONTO cloud-based testing system

The International Code Council unveiled a new cloud-based testing system, Proctored Remote Online Testing Option (PRONTO), which enables candidates to take ICC certification exams at their convenience on their home or office computer. The new system will help ICC provide better support to its members and the next generation of code officials.

ICC & RESNET form standard development committee

The International Code Council and RESNET formed the Standard Development Committee 1100 — Water Rating Index to oversee RESNET's water rating standards. The committee will build upon the technical guidelines developed by the RESNET Water Index Working Group. A public review and comment process just opened on the draft guidelines.

Instant virtual reality for the building industry

IrisVR will offer ICC Annual Conference attendees the chance to view their own 3D files in virtual reality. Bring your Revit, Sketchup, Rhino or OBJ file on a jump drive to the IrisVR booth in the Building Safety & Design Expo. An educational session will answer all your questions on virtual reality — from how to select and set up your hardware, to how to apply it to your everyday projects.

Significant changes to the 2015 IFC

An addition to Section 607.6 (Protection of Fire Service Access Elevators and Occupant Evacuation Elevators) of the 2015 International Fire Code ensures that devices designed to prevent water from infiltrating into fire service access elevator hoistways and occupant evacuation elevator hoistways are properly maintained.

ICC sponsors PMI conference, becomes first gold sponsor

The International Code Council recently showed its support of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) by becoming its first gold sponsor. The gold sponsorship supports the PMI mission by funding new initiatives. The Code Council and ICC Evaluation Service are both 2017 PMI Conference sponsors for keynote speaker Doc Hendley and for the conference lunch.

Pictured (left-right): NFPA Operations Vice President Don Bliss, NFPA President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Pauley, ICC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims and ICC Technical Services Senior Vice President Mike Pfeiffer.

Keeping up with technology & innovation in the built environment

International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, Board of Directors President M. Dwayne Garriss and Technical Services Senior Vice President Mike Pfeiffer participated in a panel on the code development process during the National Association of State Fire Marshals 2017 Annual Conference. The panel provided the Code Council and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) with an opportunity to discuss two important issues facing the associations: technology and innovation in the built environment and the length of code cycles.

It's never too early to begin preparing for Building Safety Month

First observed in 1980 and celebrated every May since then, Building Safety Month raises public awareness about the importance of building safety and sustainability. Even though it's only August, we've already begun laying the groundwork for a successful 2018 campaign. With the support of our members, private companies, government agencies and nonprofits, we're planning to make next year's campaign the largest push yet to promote safe buildings, resilient communities and the crucial role of the code official. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

August Building Valuation Data is available

The August 2017 Building Valuation Data (BVD) is available. The Code Council strongly recommends that all jurisdictions actively evaluate and assess the impact of the BVD before utilizing it in code enforcement-related activities. The next BVD will be available in February 2018. View the archives.

Kraig Stevenson illustrates the benefits of ICC's HSTTP

International Code Council Government Relations Senior Regional Manager Kraig Stevenson presented "Enhancing Entry Level Skills of Future Building Trade Professionals" during the Washington Association of Career and Technical Education's 2017 Annual Summer Conference. Stevenson spoke on ICC's High School Technical Training Program (HSTTP) and the benefits of incorporating the HSTTP into career and technical education curriculum for the construction trades.

Lawrence Crow (right) receives the 2017 President's Award from BOAT President Selso Mata (left).

Lawrence Crow receives 2017 BOAT President's Award

International Code Council member Lawrence Crow, field operations manager with the city of Irving, Texas, received the 2017 President's Award from the Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) during its Annual Conference in Rockwall, Texas. The highly prestigious award is given to a person who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to the promotion of safe building construction, and provided influence and mentorship through the years. Crow was honored for his service, knowledge, work ethic, counsel and wisdom to the building industry and the chapter.

Chapter spotlight: Building Officials' Association of British Columbia

The Building Officials' Association of British Columbia (BOABC), a chartered chapter of the International Code Council since 1988, includes more than 675 members representing local government building officials and those involved in building design, construction, testing and research. The BOABC is dedicated to serving the best interests of the public in building safety by moving forward with the highest standards in professionalism, competency and consistent practice in the building community.

SKGA & ASCE offer new Significant Changes seminar series

S.K. Ghosh Associates (SKGA), a part of the ICC Family of Companies, partnered with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to develop training based on a new publication coauthored by S.K. Ghosh titled, Significant Changes from ASCE 7-10 to ASCE 7-16. This seminar series is being offered nationally in collaboration with ASCE to introduce engineers, designers, code officials and others to recent significant changes in ASCE 7, an integral standard referenced in the 2018 International Building Code.

MJC ramping up for more members

The International Code Council Board of Directors approved the Major Jurisdiction Committee's (MJC) suggested revisions to Council Policy 30 at its July 14 meeting. The MJC now invites any interested member of a jurisdiction that qualifies to be part of the MJC to enroll.

Fires in under-construction, wood-framed buildings

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal raises questions about the use of wooden frames instead of higher-cost metal ones at construction sites. Fire safety officials say wood-frame buildings are generally safe once they are completed, but are particularly vulnerable to blazes before they are outfitted with walls and safety features such as sprinklers.

Fenestration interfaces: The devil is in the detailing

Uncontrolled rainwater penetration, condensation and moisture-related deterioration are the most common threats to the structural integrity and performance of the building enclosure. As much as 90 percent of all water intrusion problems occur within one percent of the total building area (interfaces), according to the Construction Waterproofing Handbook.

Helix Steel expands manufacturing capacity

Helix Steel recently announced the expansion of manufacturing capacity at its facility in Grand Rapids, Mich. The expansion reaffirms its commitment to continued ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing in the U.S. and increased demand from owners, developers and general contractors.

What we're reading, following & covering

There's a lot happening — domestically and globally — in building safety, fire prevention, sustainability and resiliency right now. Our aim is to provide busy professionals like you with a run-down of the most compelling industry news stories concerning the safety, science and performance of the built environment.

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