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Code Council unveils new resources to promote code officials

The International Code Council (ICC) launched a new online resource — the Value of the Code Official toolkit — that helps government officials, ICC members and others build awareness for the code official's significant role within their communities. This new resource also encourages students and young professionals to join the industry's pipeline of qualified professionals. Read more.

"The Value of the Code Official toolkit builds on the Code Council's innovative work through the High School Technical Training Program, the Military Families Building Safety Program and our other Safety 2.0 programs," said Code Council Board President Jay Elbettar, P.E. "In the wake of the recent destructive hurricane season and widespread California wildfires, we continue to highlight the critical role of the code official in creating safe buildings and resilient communities."

Surprising home features that use the most water

Single-family homes use an average of 276 gallons of water per day, with almost exactly half of residential water use consisting of water used outside the home: watering yards, filling swimming pools and washing cars.

The Code Council is a proponent of water efficiency. It supports the Water Efficiency Improvement Act of 2017 that offers a simple way for consumers to identify water-efficient products. Additionally, the Code Council and the Residential Energy Services Network partnership to create a water efficiency rating guideline — and a standard utilizing the guideline as a base document — has been the catalyst for substantial progress in the Water Efficiency Rating Index.

Are you ready for 2018? The Learning Center is!

The ICC Learning Center has the training opportunities you need to advance your career in 2018. Attend our institutes, seminars and test academies to earn valuable Continuing Education Units while networking and sharing knowledge with your peers. Browse our upcoming 2018 training events by viewing our short video, and be sure to register today! Take advantage of $100 off when you register by Dec. 31, 2017 (a credit of $100 will be issued to participants after the training).

Significant Changes to the 2018 International Fire Code

A modification to Sections 403.12.3 and 403.12.3.1 (Crowd Managers) of the 2018 International Fire Code states that the threshold for crowd managers dropped from 1,000 to 500 people for certain events. Two new exceptions allow for occupant load to stay at 1,000 for places of religious worship and outdoor events. Read more.

ICC High School Technical Training Program Liaison Jim Elwood presents on the program during this year's ICC Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Helping to build the future: ISO invests in ICC training program

With the construction industry struggling to find skilled workers, code professionals are stepping forward and demonstrating their commitment to training the next generation of building and code officials. Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), a Verisk Analytics business, recently invested $3,500 in the ICC High School Technical Training Program (HSTTP) after hearing Program Liaison Jim Elwood present on the program during this year's ICC Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Read more.

Mark your calendar: upcoming events

From a free RESNET webinar to popular ICC training on fire and life safety, residential inspection, plan review, and post-disaster damage assessment, the next few months offer code professionals the tools they need for building safety and code compliance. Read more.

ASHRAE partners with ICC to publish the latest energy efficiency requirements in a single source

With energy efficiency remaining high on the national and global construction agenda, ICC and ASHRAE have once again collaborated to release the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2016: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. By compiling the complete text of the 2018 IECC and ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2016, this joint resource offers users a convenient publication that contains the latest requirements for energy efficiency in a single volume to provide the information needed to achieve optimal energy conservation in both residential and commercial construction.

The right way to evaluate building products

Safe buildings begin with the materials. No one understands this more than the ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES). Code Watcher, an online and print publication about codes, published an article written by ICC-ES President Shahin Moinian about the unique value of ICC-ES and how building code officials need more transparency in the building product evaluation arena to ensure specified products comply with codes and standards. Read more.

PHRC hosts inaugural career fair at Penn State

Last month, the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC) hosted its inaugural Residential Construction Career Fair at Penn State for residential construction builders, designers and material manufacturers to connect with Penn State students. John Eby and Jeff Young, ICC members from Pennsylvania chapters, spoke with many students about careers in the construction industry, emphasized the need for younger generations to join the industry and directed them to the ICC Learning Center. Read more.

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 weekly run-down of the most compelling industry news stories concerning the safety, science and performance of the built environment.

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