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2018 IBC and IEBC balcony code changes adopted in California.

The California Building Standards Commission has voted to approve emergency regulations enhancing the California Building Code balcony and walking surface construction requirements. The new provisions went into effect on Jan. 30 and apply to multi-family residential, hotels, motels, state-owned buildings and public schools in California. The new regulations create consistency with ASCE-7 design loads, and require additional ventilation, detailing, and inspection for exterior balconies and elevated walkways exposed to the weather.

Time to get proactive about shortage of building safety officials.

Many of the officials who check construction plans and inspect buildings for safety are on the cusp of retirement, and they're not being replaced. Code Council Membership & Certification Vice President Ron Piester outlines the initiatives — including the High School Technical Training Program and Emerging Leaders Membership Council — the association is spearheading to draw the next generation to our industry.

Pictured (left-right): Pennsylvania College of Technology students Noah D. Haring, Kristine M. Luther, Rachel E. White, Yvette B. Moore, Lindsay A. Lane, and Seamus P. Coyle, International Code Council High School Technical Training Program liaison James Ellwood, and Associate Professor of Architectural Technology Rob A. Wozniak. Photo: Grace F. Clark

College honored for role in students' building code certification.

Two groups of Pennsylvania College of Technology students were recently on hand when the School of Construction & Design Technologies was honored by the International Code Council for participation in the Certification of Achievement program, which puts a recognized career-building tool into the hands of construction-related majors. The college was the nation's first to participate in the COA initiative and, since it was adopted two years ago, the program has spread to other institutions and been endorsed by the Pennsylvania Builders Association.

Call for committee issued for Water Efficiency Rating Index standard.

The International Code Council and RESNET joined to create a water efficiency rating guideline and are now developing a standard utilizing the guideline as a base document. The Code Council is receiving applications for General Interest members for the Water Efficiency Rating Index (WERi) Standards committee. The application deadline is March 17 and code officials are encouraged to apply.

What happens when disaster strikes?

If a natural disaster strikes your community, you may be called upon to conduct inspections, execute site mobilization procedures and assess damage for financial assistance. As both hurricane and wildfire seasons get underway and tornado season hits its stride — are you ready? Be prepared for when the unthinkable happens — attend ICC's When Disaster Strikes Institute, May 4-5, Columbus, Ohio.

Significant Changes to the 2015 IBC.

Clarified code text now indicates that Group H-1 occupancies, as well as several specified types of Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies, are not required to comply with the high-rise provisions.

MIT researchers develop sensing system to spot structural weakness in buildings.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have developed a computational model to pinpoint damage to or weakness in a structure following an earthquake or other significant seismic impact. The system targets infrastructure vulnerable to earthquakes by tracking ambient vibrations, noise and movement.

International Code Council Government Relations Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes (center left) hosted a meeting with Association of Minnesota Building Officials (AMBO) Board members while visiting the Upper Great Plains ICC Region III Institute in Chaska, Minn. AMBO is the organization that hosts the week-long institute that this year attracted more than 700 participants from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota. Yerkes reviewed national and state issues which are important to the Code Council.

Interesting global construction trivia.

Did you know?
Mohawk Indians were employed by construction companies in the early through mid-20th century New York City since they did not fear heights or dangerous conditions. They helped build bridges and skyscrapers and were called "skywalkers" because of their fearlessness. Mowhawk skywalkers participated in building the Empire State Building, and the World Trade Center buildings that were destroyed during the September 11 attacks. They helped rescue people from the burning towers in 2001, and helped dismantle the remains of the building afterwards. Approximately 200 Mohawk iron workers participated in rebuilding the One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.

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