What we're reading, following & covering

Getting to know international building codes and standards

November 9 | Property Casualty 360

When constructing new buildings overseas, do you build to local regulations or some other guidelines? Does the country where you want to build have strong construction regulations? If building codes exist, when were they last updated and are they enforced? read more >>>

Updating to a newer energy code offers multiple benefits

November 6 | Professional Builder

The newest version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will be released soon. The update offers numerous benefits for jurisdictions, builders, and homebuyers, building on the 2015 IECC that provided for more flexibility for homebuilders. read more >>>

Buy one ICC-certified Christmas lights

November 7 | Sun Star Davao

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao Region reminds consumers once more to buy only Christmas lights certified by the International Code Council (ICC) to avoid any untoward incident from happening. According to Trade and Industry Davao Regional director Belinda Ambi as per their monthly checking and inspection for establishments selling Christmas lights in the city, all of their inspected establishments for October had been compliant and that their packages have ICC seal certifications. read more >>>

See how local building codes can update their energy requirements to be more performance-oriented, and how FMs may need to help prove compliance

November 6 | FM Link

A number of cities and states across the United States have begun to recognize that the current code-based mechanisms in place do not provide the means to help them achieve their energy performance goals for buildings, according to the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). read more >>>

State approves funding for Talawanda's new Marshall Elementary

November 6 | Journal News

Construction of a new Marshall Elementary building took an official step forward Oct. 26 with a unanimous vote by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to approve state funding for the project. The vote was anticipated by Talawanda Treasurer Mike Davis at the October meeting of the Talawanda Board of Education. He told board members he had learned at a meeting the previous week, state consideration for school projects had dropped from nine to two. read more >>>

Springville council approves adoption of proposed building codes

November 6 | Tribune Interactive

The Springville City Council heard from the city's building inspector, Asa Sargent, about some significant changes to the 2015 editions of the International Codes regarding construction at a workshop Monday evening. The changes included nine codes titled building, residential, existing building, energy, fuel gas, mechanical, plumbing, fire, and the 2014 national electrical code. read more >>>

Old-school construction, new-school materials

November 6 | The Construction Specifier

An old adage proclaims "If you want something done right, do it yourself." This would be virtually impossible in today's commercial construction where complex building systems, vast arrays of material choices, design configurations, and countless other variables require more expertise than anyone could ever muster alone. Still, some general contractors maintain this old-school work ethic. read more >>>

August saw city spike in building permits

November 8 | Star Courier

The month of August was a big one for building permits in Kewanee, as permits were handed out for nearly $1 million in new residential construction. The month was the highest in at least five years, according to city officials. The figure, more than $923,000, is based on the total value of the properties in which a permit was obtained, not the amount of permit revenue. read more >>>

Expanding for pool of consumers providing an impetus to the public safety in-building wireless DAS system market

November 6 | prsync

In order to improve public safety, governments are making it mandatory to install public safety in-building wireless DAS systems in buildings. The implementation of minimum legislative standards by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and new public safety building codes by International Code Council (ICC) is driving the demand of public safety in-building wireless DAS systems. read more >>>

Editorial: How bad it could be, part two

November 7 | Pagosa Daily Post

We led off Part One, yesterday, with a quote from the 2016 Gunnison Valley Housing Needs Assessment, researched and written by Melanie Rees, Wendy Sullivan, and Willa Williford. The report, like most of the 'housing needs assessments' I've seen over the years, is aimed at one particular audience: government. read more >>>

Oak Lawn proposes ordinance for temporary homeless shelters

November 6 | Oak Lawn Patch

I've posted the Village of Oak Lawn's proposed ordinance to regulate temporary homeless shelters. As you may know, these shelters are located in area churches on a rotating basis and are administered by BEDS Plus, a respected social service agency in the Southwestern suburbs. (Disclosure: I am a monthly volunteer at BEDS Plus' Pilgrim Faith Church site and a longtime friend of the Church's Reverend Peggy McClanahan and her family.) read more >>>

Colleges need to be able to answer these 14 MNEC questions

November 8 | My Tech Decisions

While it's not necessarily the first thing college kids think of when they move into their dorms-the distance to the library is, of course, the first priority for most-the robustness and effectiveness of a school's mass notification and emergency communication (MNEC) system is definitely something they must think about in today's world, and college and university officials must have the answers to their questions ready when they do ask questions. read more >>>

Mi Tek publishes Hardy Frame Prescriptive Design Guide

November 7 | Contractor Supply

Offers alternative braced-wall solutions with HFX panels that comply with 2015 IRC. MiTek has published a new Hardy Frame Prescriptive Design Guide that provides an overview of braced wall design, a flow chart of the design and specification process, and specific instructions to properly apply the Hardy Frame Alternative Braced Wall Solution. read more >>>

Multiple guest speakers address city ordinances at city council meeting

November 7 | The Express Star

The Chickasha Council Chambers were packed on Monday night with residents who wanted city ordinances enforced or eliminated. Chickasha city ordinances, particularly those relating to home exteriors and parking on the grass, have been long been debated in the council chambers and on social media. At a work session on Oct. 9, Chickasha City Manager, John Noblitt discussed reevaluating these codes to make it easier for residents to comply. read more >>>

Readers ask about pets, courthouse project ideas

November 4 | The Grand Island Independent

Q: Regarding the proposed addition to the courthouse, what has the county board estimated to be the cost to complete this addition? What will the addition be used for? What budget is the money coming from? If the county board meeting room is moved back to the main level of the courthouse, what will the basement area currently used by the county board be used for? read more >>>