LIBERTY CHAPTER OF PHILADELPHIA

WHAT'S NEW

International Code Council Government Relations Update – December 2017

Follow @ICC_GR on Twitter for breaking GR news & announcements throughout the month

ICC website and Government Relations’ webpage offer public relations tools for Members to use

ICC Members have some tools that can be used to educate the public and other interested parties about their jobs as code officials, how codes are developed and updated, the importance of updated codes and other related issues. One big asset is the webpage “Value of the Code Official,” developed by ICC Membership. It includes a video “Code Officials: Building Safety Today for a Stronger Tomorrow” and related materials, including a PowerPoint presentation, talking points and a flyer which can be printed as a handout. The ICC Government Relations webpage also lists the video, as well as:

•  “ICC’s Code Development Process” four-minute video on how codes are updated.

• “Resilient Communities Come Back Quicker & Better” from the Alliance for National & Community Resilience.

• “How to use the new ICC Voting System” the new Voting System at the 2018 ABM.

• “Building Safety Month! Code Officials: Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth”

• “The High School Technical Training Program” meets the challenge for better skilled labor.

ICC Member Services makes information easier to retrieve and use on ‘My Chapters’ webpage

Check out improvements to the My Chapters area of your My ICC webpage. Log in with your ICC email address and password. Then click on “My Chapters” in the box on the left side. You’ll see the information is divided into tabs along the top of the box to help you find what you need. For example, “Annual Reports” are on a tab by themselves so it’s easy to see where and how to add a report. Information can be edited on other tabs. Feedback is welcome by emailing Karla Higgs, Vice President, Member Services.

The Code Council applauds the introduction of the SMART Rebuilding Act to incentivize resiliency

The International Code Council supports bipartisan House Resolution 4455, the Supporting Mitigation Activities and Resiliency Targets for Rebuilding Act or SMART Rebuilding Act, sponsored by Congressmen Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Mike Capuano (D-Mass.). This bill aims to help communities rebuild stronger and recover more quickly after natural disasters by incentivizing communities to build replacement structures to the most up-to-date building codes available. Working in partnership with the BuildStrong Coalition, the Code Council has advocated for the adoption of the latest building codes and met with dozens of Congressional members and their staffs to highlight the importance of pre-disaster mitigation. Read more about this important legislation.

ICC Chapter and Member involvement are highly valued by ICC Government Relations staff

Government Relations staff rely on the vigilance of International Code Council’s Chapters and Members to support code adoptions, address key legislation and rulemaking in state and local governments and meet the challenges facing all of ICC’s stake holders. With most states preparing to open the 2018 sessions of their state legislatures, GR staff are watching for pending legislation and regulations that may be of interest to, or that may have an impact on ICC. Even national decisions have an impact on local governments and members, and ICC’s Government Relations office has a team working with the U.S. Congress and federal agencies that are important to the overall mission and goals of ICC. Click here for more on ICC’s Government Relations’ work in Washington and across the nation.

ICC issues Annual Conference Call for Education Program Presenters for Oct. 21-23, 2018, at Richmond

The International Code Council is seeking professional expertise for its 2018 Annual Conference Education Program in Richmond, Virginia, October 21–23, 2018. All presentation proposal topics should focus on providing educational and technical information. Presentations should help to educate attendees about building code compliance, building safety, leadership and/ or building technology. The deadline for application submittal is Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Session categories are:

• TRADITIONAL TOPICS: Focus on basic provisions in the I-Codes. These courses will be valuable to those wanting to learn about fundamental Code topics and the intent behind the Code.  

• INNOVATIVE TOPICS: Address leading-edge topics in the building safety industry. These courses revolve around topics that will position participants to become aware of practices that will affect this industry in the future. 

• SPECIAL TOPICS: Closely examine specialized topics applicable to code administration, leadership and multigenerational communication and development.

• BUILDING SAFETY & DESIGN EXPO TOPICS: Provide technical and non-technical training sessions that run no longer than 45 minutes. 

ICC’s Building Safety Journal wins 2017 Marcom Gold Award for its June and August editions

The International Code Council was awarded a 2017 Marcom Gold Award for the June 2017 and August 2017 editions of the Building Safety Journal. ICC was also awarded honorable mentions for both the April 13 and May 5 editions of ICC eNews. The Marcom Awards recognize the creativity, hard work and generosity of industry professionals in the marketing and communications sector. The Council is proud to receive these awards and we look forward to continuing to provide award-winning educational content to ICC members and stake holders.

ICC-ES adds new evaluation services for alternative seismic force-resisting systems

The ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) is adding evaluations of alternative seismic force-resisting systems to its extensive list of product evaluations. The company will develop new acceptance criteria based on FEMA P695. “We are pleased to announce the decision to evaluate alternative seismic force-resisting systems,” said ICC-ES Vice-President of Engineering Gary Nichols, P.E. “ICC-ES continually evaluates products to the latest codes, and we encourage all manufacturers to also comply with the latest codes for market acceptance.” ICC-ES will post the proposed new acceptance criteria on the alternative criteria development process agenda for public comment soon. Read more here.

Most of ICC's two-part special inspector exams are now split into three separate exam modules

Starting this month, a majority of ICC's two-part special inspector exams will be split into three separate exam modules: general requirements, codes and plan reading. As an exception, the spray-applied fireproofing special inspector will be split into two exam modules (general requirements and codes & plan reading) and will have a slightly different breakdown than the other exams. To achieve a special inspector certification, you will need to pass each module along with any other prerequisites for specific special inspector certifications. If you plan to pursue a reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete or structural welding special inspector certification, you are still held to the additional prerequisites in order to achieve those certifications. Here's a breakdown of the features and improvements.

Water Efficiency Rating Index development continues through ICC-RESNET partnership

The partnership between the International Code Council (ICC) and Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) has been the catalyst for substantial progress in the Water Efficiency Rating (WER) Index. Due to the work of the WER Index task force comprised of a 13-member voting committee, five subcommittees and a 75-member advisory council, RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden said technical guidelines were finalized and the task force work is nearly complete. "Our intention has always been to develop the technical guidelines within this framework to both serve as the basis for the rating procedures, as well as to form the basis of a candidate American National Standard (ANS)," Baden said. 

General Code LLC joins the International Code Council to expand client base and services

The International Code Council recently included General Code LLC to its family of companies.  General Code is a market leader in codification and content management solutions and currently serves clients in more than half of U.S. states. Based in Rochester, N.Y., the company has been committed to serving its clients for the past 55 years. “This acquisition of General Code will provide a perfect complement to our product and service portfolio,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “We are strategically aligned with similar missions and goals, focused on safety and serving our members and customers.” The benefits for General Code and its clients are equally significant. By joining the Code Council, General Code will have greater capacity to build on its premier product and service offerings with expanded resources and broader geographic reach to a larger customer base.

ICC Solar Rating & Certification Corporation merges with ICC Evaluation Service

The Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC) has joined ICC Evaluation Service, LLC (ICC-ES), which means that all certifications presently conducted and maintained by ICC-SRCC, including the certifications for the Small Wind Certification Council (ICC-SWCC), will be coordinated within the ICC-ES framework. ICC-ES is the nation’s leading evaluation service for innovative building materials, components and systems. ICC-SRCC staff have joined the experienced ICC-ES team which consists of evaluation specialists, licensed architects and professional engineers with expertise in a range of specialized fields such as civil, structural, plumbing and mechanical engineering. The move to ICC-ES should allow ICC-SRCC to continue to grow and provide additional value to customers who will continue to receive the same exceptional services but with expanded access to ICC-ES staff and resources.
 

30th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner registration is open

Registration is now open for the 30th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) on April 18-19, 2018 in Washington, DC. Attended by approximately 1,500 fire and emergency services leaders from across the country, the event is the largest and most prestigious gathering of fire service officials, featuring important seminars and opportunities for interaction with federal policy makers. Read more by clicking here.

ICC PMG Membership Council and Global Membership Council offer free online CodeNotes in Spanish

As part of its continued goal to serve the needs of plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas officials, the ICC PMG Official Membership Council has partnered with the ICC Global Membership Council to provide online access to our free and informative CodeNotes™ in Spanish. Click here for a free downloadable copy of the latest Spanish version of CodeNotes, entitled Bonding of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) Gas Piping System. Visit the PMG Official Membership Council Web page for additional information and updates.
 

Significant Changes editions offer insights for all construction professions using 2018 I-Codes

Since 2006, the Significant Changes to the International Codes series has become one of the most useful tools available for transitioning to the latest codes. Consisting of four volumes, these color publications contain revised code text, a summary of each change listed, change analysis and a photo or graphic to clarify real-world application. Authored by ICC technical experts, these new editions discuss critical changes and offer invaluable insight for all construction professionals preparing to use the 2018 I-Codes.

Community Risk Reduction Symposium scheduled for April 8-11 at Reston, Va.

The Fifth National Model Performance in Community Risk Reduction Symposium will be held April 8-11 at the Reston Hyatt Regency, Reston, Va. Sponsored by Vision 20/20, the symposium highlights best practices in all areas of community risk reduction. As in previous years, presentations of local programs will demonstrate their success in reducing fire losses using model performance measures. They will share strategies and resources that worked for them and that have potential for reducing fire losses in all communities. The emphasis will be on prevention, which means the curricula scope will zero in on the importance of an integrated approach, balancing emergency response capabilities with proactive measures to reduce risks.

Advance your career with ICC’s new certification exams in commercial fire sprinkler and alarm fields

Some of ICC’s newest certification exams can help you get certified in the commercial fire sprinkler and fire alarm fields and expand your career potential. Developed specifically for fire or building inspectors, plans examiners, and code officials, successful completion of the commercial fire sprinkler or commercial fire alarm exams will ensure you are recognized for your commitment to safety and professionalism. ICC provides exams for:

• Commercial Fire Sprinkler Plans Examiner – CP

• Commercial Fire Sprinkler Inspector – CF

• Commercial Fire Alarm Plans Examiner II – CR

• Commercial Fire Alarm Plans Examiner I – CN

• Commercial Fire Alarm Inspector – CA

• Residential Fire Sprinkler Inspector/Plans Examiner – RF

Use the Certification Exam Catalog to register for one of ICC’s Commercial Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm exams and prepare for your exam.

Institutes, training, seminars, webinars, etc.

• December 12, 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern, webinar on “Important Developments in the Seismic Design of Diaphragms” by S. K. Ghosh, Ph.D. Seminar will explain the alternative diaphragm design force level as well as the precast diaphragm design procedure of ASCE 7-16.

• December 14, 2-4 p.m. Eastern, webinar on “Wind Loads on Non-Building Structures” by Emily Guglielmo, S.E., P.E., C.E. Seminar will discuss ASCE 7 wind load provisions for non-building structures and how to correctly apply them through examples. An in-depth exploration for engineering commonly encountered situations that are not directly addressed in the code will follow.

• December 20 at noon Eastern is when a free, one-hour webinar is scheduled offering a walkthrough of the features found on ICC’s digital library codes.iccsafe.org. Click here to find out more.

• January 22-23, 2018, is the Special Inspection Agency Accreditation Training  in the Club Quarters (second floor conference center), 52 William Street, New York, N. Y. Anyone performing special inspections in New York City will want to attend this two-day course offered by the International Accreditation Service (IAS). This course provides an overview of the accreditation requirements for the New York City Department of Buildings.

• February 12–16, 2018, is the 2018 Upper Great Plains Region III Educational Institute in Chaska, Minn. It features a wide spectrum of specialized courses and the opportunity to earn important CEUs. With topics of interest to all building design, construction and inspection professionals, the Institute also provides an excellent opportunity for you to network, share experiences and solve problems in the comfortable environment of the Oak Ridge Hotel & Convention Center. Who should attend? Code officials, inspectors, architects, plans examiners, engineers, contractors, permit technicians and building department administrators. The early bird registration deadline is Jan. 5.

• March 19–23, 2018, are the dates for EduCode 2018, which is geared for building safety and code compliance professionals. All sessions are approved through the ICC Preferred Provider Program and cover topics that include architectural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, structural, fire protection, code enforcement and leadership. Spend up to five days in Las Vegas for specialized training and earn up to 4.0 CEUs. Certification exams will be offered onsite during EduCode 2018. Register by Feb. 19 for the best course selection and early-bird rates.