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Important 2018/2019 code development notices

The proposed changes to the 2018 Group A International Codes — to be presented at the Committee Action Hearings on April 15–23, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio — have been posted.

The 2018 Committee Action Hearing schedule is now available.

Your ICC member status and 2018 Governmental Member Voting Representative information must be up-to-date by March 16, 2018, to participate in the online hearings assembly floor motion vote that follows the Committee Action Hearings. Check your voting status.

This year's hearings offer ICC members and building and fire code officials, architects, builders, engineers, designers, and other code professionals the opportunity to provide input on proposed code changes. The hearings are free to attend. Register now.

Research pioneer in Legionnaires' disease to speak at special session

This year's 2018 Committee Action Hearings in Columbus will feature a PMG Special Session with world-renowned Legionnaires' disease expert Dr. Janet Stout. Attendance for the session "Controlling Legionella: New Focus on Building Water Safety and Management" at 10:00 a.m. on April 15, 2018, is free, but space is limited and an RSVP is required.

Major Jurisdiction Steering Committee call for candidates

There is a current opening on the Major Jurisdiction Steering Committee. The committee is the premiere contact portal for federal, state and major jurisdictions and is a representative example of the synergetic power that code officials working together can generate for the benefit of all our communities. It aims to develop and gather information on some of the best practices utilized in the U.S. and nations abroad concerning department administration, code enforcement and role of the code official. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2018. Learn more.

ICC-SWCC applauds Federal Investment Tax Credit reinstatement

The Small Wind Certification Council (ICC-SWCC), part of the Solar Rating & Certification Corporation, applauds the reinstatement of the Federal Investment Tax Credit for small wind turbines in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by the President earlier this month. This 30-percent tax credit applies to the costs of equipment and installation for small wind turbines below 100 kilowatts and encourages individuals and businesses to install renewable energy technologies. Read more.

Pictured (left-right): NHTI Architectural Engineering Technology Department Head Liaquat Khan, Dennis Page, Matt Cole, Nick Codner, Russ Bookholz, Brad Anderson, Michael Hagan, and NHTI Vice President of Student Affairs Steve Caccia.

NHBOA celebrates NHTI students

The New Hampshire Building Officials Association (NHBOA) recently recognized students from NHTI, Concord's Community College as they completed an 18-credit-hour Building Inspector/Plans Examiner Certificate Program, developed to provide instruction in the International Codes, plan review, construction laws and generalized inspector skills. NHTI is a participant in the Code Council's High School Technical Training Program. Read more.

Learn to build with resilience in mind through live webinar

As Texas recovers and rebuilds from Hurricane Harvey, it is important to design and build stronger, compliant structures. A live webinar in mid-March sponsored by the Code Council — Learn to Build with Resilience in Mind — will cover the floodplain provisions of the International Building and Residential Codes, elevation for existing structures and new construction, and how designs influence flood insurance rates for your residents and clients. Register now.

Determination issued of energy savings for commercial buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy issued a determination that ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2016 — which is referenced in the International Energy Conservation Code — will improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings. The analysis indicates that buildings meeting 90.1-2016 (compared to the 2013 edition) would result in national energy cost savings of approximately 8.2 percent, as regulated by the model code. Read more.

The Sacramento Valley Association of Building Officials votes to support the Code Council's Military Families Career Path Program last month.

California officials support veterans' careers in construction

The Sacramento Valley Association of Building Officials met on Feb. 9, 2018, in Auburn, Calif., and during the meeting, voted to support the Code Council's Military Families Career Path Program. The new program is designed to help veterans who are transitioning to civilian life and their family members learn more about building safety career options. The Code Council is working with military and veteran support organizations such as the Society of American Military Engineers to inform military service personnel and their families of opportunities available in the building safety profession. Learn more.

Free coastal construction training event

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is sponsoring a free two-day residential coastal construction course at the National Hurricane Conference on March 26–27, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. This course is designed to train engineers, architects and building code officials on the Coastal Construction Manual, which is the primary, state-of-the-art reference for planning, designing and constructing residential structures in the various coastal environments. Register now.

Significant changes to the 2018 International Fire Code

A modification to Section 608.3 (Nonmetallic Cooking Oil Storage Tanks) of the 2018 International Fire Code adds listing and capacity requirements for cooking oil storage. Fresh and waste cooking oils are normally classified as a Class IIIB combustible liquid. Storage tanks for cooking operations are regulated in Section 608.2, for metallic tanks, and Section 608.3, for nonmetallic tanks. Read more.

John Hudgison (right) demonstrates the importance of building safety to students at Dorothy Height Elementary in Columbus, Ga.

Building career paths to young students in construction

John Hudgison, CBO, inspections & code director at Columbus Consolidated Government, showed the younger generation the importance of building safety during a career day on Feb. 23, 2018, at Dorothy Height Elementary in Columbus, Ga. The school believes in empowering students to reach their potential and provides opportunities for them to grow and become college and career ready. Hudgison serves on the Code Council's Emerging Leaders Membership Council Governing Committee, which aims to involve new, motivated and highly active members into the International Code Council.

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.

February Building Valuation Data now available

The February 2018 Building Valuation Data (BVD) is available to members. The Code Council strongly recommends that all jurisdictions actively evaluate and assess the impact of the BVD before utilizing it in code enforcement-related activities. The BVD is updated at six-month intervals, with the next update available in August 2018. View the archive.

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