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ANCR begins development of the nation's first whole-community resilience benchmarks for buildings, water and energy

The International Code Council and the Alliance for National & Community Resilience (ANCR) are beginning the development of the nation's first whole-community resilience benchmarks. The ANCR technical committee will first focus on creating benchmarks for buildings, water and energy, core functional areas for all communities. The ANCR benchmark system will provide communities a transparent, practical and commonsense self-assessment to quickly and easily gauge their cross-sector resilience efforts. Read more.

ANCR needs subject matter experts with experience in the resilience arena to fill several volunteer openings on the committee. Specialists who are interested in improving resiliency and determining best practices for communities across the U.S. should submit their resumes or curriculum vitae to ResilientAlliance@gmail.com by Feb. 16, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

ICC standards committees offer a chance to serve your industry

Volunteers are one of the most important assets of the International Code Council. It takes the time and expertise of many individuals working through the numerous ICC committees to shape the Code Council into the world-class membership organization that exists today. ICC is accepting applications for the ICC Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and Emitter Standard Committee, the ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters Committee, and the ICC Standard for Residential Construction in High-Wind Regions Committee. The application deadline for these three committees is Jan. 31, 2018. Read more.

NIBS President Henry L. Green presented the Code Council with a plaque of prestigious recognition for its support and commitment to the mission and values of NIBS during the Annual Awards Banquet. Pictured (left-right): International Code Council Board Vice President Bill Bryant, Government Relations Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes and NIBS President Henry L. Green.

The Code Council sponsors event highlighting building innovation with building community leaders from across the nation

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) held its sixth annual Building Innovation 2018 Conference & Expo at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The International Code Council is proud to be a major conference sponsor. Board and staff members from the Code Council attended the conference, including Board Vice President Bill Bryant and Secretary-Treasurer Greg Wheeler, Government Relations Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes, Government Relations Regional Manager Bryan Soukup, and External Communications Manager Madison Neal. Read more.

The Code Council and ICC-ES partner with the building industry to support safe buildings and housing affordability

The International Code Council and the ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) facilitated new partnerships, strengthened existing relationships and brought together leaders from across the building industry at the fifth annual Design & Construction Week in Orlando, Fla. As major sponsors and exhibitors at the 2018 National Association of Home Builders International Builders' Show and the National Kitchen & Bath Association Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, the Code Council and ICC-ES sponsored educational events about building innovation, fire safety and the latest trends in the manufacturing sector. Read more.

Share with your colleagues from around the world

The audience of the ICC Annual Conference, Group A Public Comment Hearings, and Building Safety & Design Expo contains some of the sharpest minds in our industry, and bright minds are always seeking further enlightenment. Please join us in sharing your expertise at our 2018 Annual Conference education program and Building Safety & Design Expo. All presentation topics should focus on helping educate attendees about building code compliance, building safety, leadership and building technology. The deadline for application submittal is Jan. 31, 2018. Learn more.

Report on Indonesia Stock Exchange walkway collapse released

A preliminary report by the Public Works Ministry has found that loose or corroded joints may have caused the sudden collapse of a mezzanine floor at the Indonesian Stock Exchange building on Jan. 15, 2018, that sent visiting students plunging to the ground. Dramatic CCTV footage aired on television showed a floor shearing away in a matter of seconds beneath the students. Read more.

Volunteers respond to important building code mission

Construction personnel perform a critical role in the wake of catastrophes. Their knowledge, skills and abilities are essential to community reconstruction. In coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Code Council recently issued a call for volunteers to lend their skills to the hurricane-damaged U.S. Virgin Islands where the Building Permitting Office there has only two building officials for the entire territory. Dozens of ICC members responded, and responses continue to roll in. A huge thank you to everyone who has answered the call to help.

If you wish to volunteer, or you have contacts with individuals or groups who might wish to help, please visit our Disaster Response Network. Your State Emergency Management Agency can also help you with details (indicate you are responding to the Resource Request #1306-RR-7094). Together we can help the communities in the U.S. Virgin Islands during this period of rebuilding.

Are you ready to take the next step?

The Learning Center at ICC offers a variety of webinars that provide an introduction to various facets of the building industry. Webinars are taught by ICC experts, which means you have an opportunity to ask your questions directly to the top professionals in the field. These webinars offer a high-level overview into the curriculum of our institutes and seminars without having to leave your office. If you choose to continue on to the aligned institute or seminar, you will be given a $100 discount on that training. Read more.

ICC member recognized for residential construction safety

Carl L. Harris, president and chief executive officer of Carl Harris Company in Wichita, Kan., received the Leadership in Construction Safety Award from the National Association of Home Builders, which recognizes outstanding safety programs and leaders in the residential construction industry. Read more.

Significant changes to the 2018 International Building Code

An addition to Section 202 (Definition of Greenhouse) of the 2018 International Building Code states that a definition of greenhouse has been added to the code in order to recognize that the primary characteristic of such a structure is its unique environment for growing plants, and not the structure itself or merely the presence of plants. Read more.

Pictured (left-right): Rochell Thompson, NCTPTC vice president, city of Fort Worth; Carey Frazier, NCTPTC president, city of Frisco; Laurie Weddle, NCTPTC recorder, city of Plano; Annetta Nabors, NCTPTC treasurer, city of Fate; and Shirley Ellis.

North Central Texas Permit Technicians Chapter installs new officers

International Code Council Board member Shirley Ellis recently installed the new officers of the North Central Texas Permit Technicians Chapter of ICC (NCTPTC). The chapter is dedicated to the advancement of the permit technician and inspection department support staff in North Central Texas. Congratulations to the NCTPTC of ICC!

Free webinar showcases powerful codes tool

Join us for a 60-minute free webinar offering a walkthrough of the features found on ICC's online digital library premiumACCESS. Learn how to use this powerful online tool to get the most out of the codes. The next webinar is Jan. 31, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. CT. Register now.

American Fire Sprinkler Association applauds act passage

In January, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1), a comprehensive reform of the U.S. tax code, which includes particular language that directly affects the fire sprinkler industry — incentivizing business owners to retrofit their properties with fire sprinkler systems. The American Fire Sprinkler Association recently weighed in on several aspects and implications of this legislation. Read more.

New Spanish version of CodeNotes available

As part of our goal to serve the needs of plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas officials, the ICC PMG Official Membership Council and the ICC Global Membership Council partnered to provide online access to our free and informative CodeNotes in Spanish. The latest version — Backflow Preventers and Protection of the Water Supply: 2015 IPC and IRC — is available. Download now.

Pictured (left-right): Westchester—NYSBOC President Sal Pennelle; Westchester—NYSBOC Vice President Peter Russo; Cerebral Palsy of Westchester Executive Director Linda Kuck; and Cerebral Palsy of Westchester Board President Richard Osterer.

Westchester NYSBOC chapter raises $100K to help fight children's cerebral palsy

Over the past three years, the Westchester Chapter of the New York State Building Officials Conference (NYSBOC) has held an annual golf tournament, which has raised more than $100,000, all of which has been donated to help fight cerebral palsy. On Dec. 14, 2017, Westchester—NYSBOC President Sal Pennelle and Vice President Peter Russo presented a check for $30,672 to Cerebral Palsy of Westchester at its annual holiday luncheon, and on Dec. 15, Santa (Westchester—NYSBOC member Eddie Hess, Jr.) delivered more than 70 gifts donated by Westchester—NYSBOC members to children at Cerebral Palsy of Westchester.

Thanks to Westchester—NYSBOC, a chapter of the International Code Council, for its continued dedication to making the world a better place, both through promoting building safety and fighting cerebral palsy.

Keith Bowar retires as WCBO President after eight years

During its annual Fall 2017 conference, the Wyoming Conference of Building Officials (WCBO), a chapter of the International Code Council, honored retiring president Keith Bowar for his 25 years of service and dedication to building safety in the state of Wyoming. Read more.

Department of Neighborhood Services employees receive new uniform shirts embroidered with the words "Ziggy Strong" on the sleeve in honor of slain Milwaukee city inspector Greg "Ziggy" Zyszkiewicz.

Milwaukee landlord allegedly made veiled threats against inspectors

In the wake of the killing of popular city building inspector Greg "Ziggy" Zyszkiewicz, Elijah Mohammad Rashaed — one of Milwaukee's most notorious central city landlords — warned "maybe more things would happen to inspectors," according to testimony from a city official. Zyszkiewicz's death is a somber reminder of the serious dangers that many code officials face in their daily jobs. Read more.

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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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