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With over 100 years of experience, the Code Council is a leader in building safety initiatives and develops the most comprehensive, coordinated and modern set of building codes

The Code Council celebrates 15 years dedicated to creating safe buildings and resilient communities worldwide

This month, the International Code Council celebrates its 15-year anniversary as an international association dedicated to building safety in the U.S. and around the world. With over 100 years of experience, the Code Council has driven the development of the International Codes, a coordinated, modern, efficient set of building codes used in all 50 U.S. states and many other countries.

"In 1994, our members and stakeholders gave us a mandate — help the U.S. and the world develop a safer built environment that will not stifle economic development or the use of innovative products — and we responded," said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. "Together with our members, our strategic partners and our stakeholders, we have led the charge for safer buildings and more resilient communities. Recent storms, fires and other disasters have highlighted the importance of building safety as we look to the next 15 years." Read more.

Save the date: 2018 can't-miss events

Mark your calendars! Code and fire officials, architects, builders, engineers, and plumbing, mechanical and energy conservation professionals will not want to miss these important 2018 events. Read more.

Nominate the ICC Educator of the Year

Nominations are being accepted for the ICC 2018 Educator of the Year. The award is given to an individual or organization on recommendation by the Education Committee for excellence in education and promoting professional development among ICC Members. The award honors Brent Snyder for his contributions to ICC Members to further their educational pursuits and professional development. The nomination deadline is March 1, 2018. Nominate today.

Build a tailored week of training at EduCode 2018

Whatever training you need, EduCode 2018, March 19–23 in Las Vegas, has you covered. Choose from 14 tracks on topics such as building plan review, plumbing and mechanical, leadership and management, and code official. Early-bird rates end Feb. 19, 2018. Register now.

Pictured (left-right): ABC SoCal Craft Championships winners Ian Barrett, Andrew Lopez and Paul Pescador.

ICC helps judge top craft trainees and apprentices

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) held its 24th annual ABC SoCal Craft Championships Competition on Jan. 20, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif., where craft trainees and apprentices competed for top honors in their chosen craft: residential/industrial electrical and plumbing. International Code Council PMG Resources Director Charles "Lee" Clifton and ICC Government Relations Regional Manager Susan Dowty both attended the event. Dowty shared membership opportunities with students at the Code Council booth while Clifton participated as one of the four judges for the plumbing competition. Read more.

Significant changes to the 2018 IFC

A clarification to Section 202 (Umbrella Structures) of the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) is added for umbrella structures, which results in regulation of umbrella structures when they exceed 400 square feet. This new definition will include umbrella structures under the definition of "Tent." Therefore, wherever the term tent is used, it now specifically includes umbrella structures. Read more.

Jim Ellwood joins Code Council team

Jim Ellwood is passionate about helping students prepare for and find careers in various fields of construction. For the last seven years, he has worked as a residential plans examiner and senior commercial plans examiner for the Building Service Division of Harford County in Maryland, in addition to consulting for the International Code Council on its High School Technical Training Program. Last month, Ellwood joined the Code Council as the Career Development Coordinator in the Government Relations department. The new position will develop and run ICC's technical high school and community college training programs, and its new Military Families Career Path Program. Read more.

Code Council welcomes Neil Burning to the Government Relations team

The International Code Council named Neil Burning as its new Vice President of Government Relations Technical Resources. Burning brings more than 30 years of technical expertise in codes and standards to the position. He will develop and direct programs and resources that support the adoption of the International Codes. Read more.

Softwood lumber outlook for 2018 shaped by wildfires, tariffs

Softwood lumber prices closed out the year at or near record highs in most areas of the country — making the average Random Lengths Composite Price for 2017 the highest in 20 years. "Prices surged early in the year due to the arbitrary tariffs levied on softwood lumber imports from Canada, which impacted roughly one-third of U.S. supply," said NAHB's tax policy analyst David Logan. Read more.

New U.S. cost record for major disasters

Hurricanes and wildfires drove record-breaking costs in weather-related disasters in the U.S. last year. The National Center for Environmental Information reported that 16 disasters cost more than $1 billion each, totaling $306 billion: a new high for both the U.S. and worldwide for one country for one year. Read more.

Pictured (left-right): Oscar Diaz, past president, city of Modesto; Ochoa; John Schweigert, secretary, city of Stockton; Geoff Simmons, treasurer, city of Stockton; Denise Frazier, vice president, city of Merced; and Mike Stephenson, president, Merced County.

Yosemite Chapter of ICC installs new officers

The Yosemite Chapter of ICC recently installed its new board officers during a meeting on Jan. 15, 2018, in Modesto, Calif. Chris Ochoa, senior regional manager, ICC Government Relations, was on hand to swear in the officers.

After London tower fire, group develops risk assessment tool

Six months after flames engulfed a London high-rise and sparked concerns about similarly-clad buildings around the world, the National Association of State Fire Marshalls Research Foundation has developed a tool aimed at making buildings safer. The Foundation says its free risk evaluation tool will be available on its website shortly as part of Project FAIL-SAFE. Combustible exterior paneling fueled the flames that enveloped Grenfell Tower on June 14, killing 71 people, authorities said. Read more.

Pictured (left-right): IABO President Roger Schemmel and Steve Van Note.

Steve Van Note honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

The Iowa Association of Building Officials (IABO) recently recognized an individual that has more than 20 years of experience in the construction field, including project planning and management of residential, commercial and industrial building projects. International Code Council Managing Director of Product Development Steve Van Note, CBO, was presented with the chapter's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to an IABO chapter member in recognition of their outstanding commitment, service and contributions in promoting safe buildings and communities through building codes and standards. 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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