Welcome to the First Edition of the NY eReport
You have just received the International Code Council’s (ICC) first New York eReport dedicated to helping all interested parties. This quarterly eReport will bring you all the latest news and updates regarding the adoption process, cover all the important building and fire safety industry events taking place in New York, and provide useful resources for the code industry officials living and working in New York.
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NY Builds a Safer World at BSW Lobby Day
With the construction season underway, the NYS Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association and the NYS Building Officials Conference (NYSBOC) met with 10 state legislators for Building Safety Week (BSW) Lobby Day, including Deputy Majority Leader (Senator) Dean Skelos from Nassau County, Senator John Flanagan from Suffolk County and Assemblyman Marc Alessi from Suffolk County. The event was so successful that a larger event is expected next year, taking place the Tuesday of BSW.
As a result of this effort, an important piece of legislation strongly advocated for by the New York State Fire Marshals & Inspectors Association and the NYSBOC recently passed both Houses of the Legislature. A.877/S.3803A, provides that school buildings may be inspected for fire safety purposes by persons certified by the state to enforce the Uniform Code, and further provides that schools may not deny entry to such a person. This bill will be sent to the Governor for consideration sometime this year.
Building Safety Week annually recognizes the importance of making homes and buildings safe places where people can live, work and play. The week's many events raised public awareness of building safety by promoting the use, enforcement and understanding of building safety and fire prevention codes to protect lives and property. Click here for more.

The first BSW Lobby Day in NY was a huge success, with plans for a larger event for next year in the planning. Bruce Johnson, First VP, NYS Fire Marshals & Inspectors Association; Scott Zarnstorff, Finger Lakes Chapter delegate to NYSBOC; Robert Cordell, President, NYSBOC Capital District Chapter; William Timmons, President, NYSFMIA; Dorothy Harris, Director, State and Local Government Relations of ICC; Tom LaBelle, Executive Director, New York State Association of Fire Chiefs; Wayne Cichon, President, NYSBOC Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter; Scott Copp, President, NYSBOC; and John Flanigan, Code Enforcement Official Representative, State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council.

Report Highlights Need for NYC Model Codes
The second phase of a blueprint for transforming the NYC Department of Buildings into an accountable, efficient and effective municipal building organization was unveiled by Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster, FAIA. The 2006-2009 Strategic Plan reviews the achievements of the past term and lays out the roadmap for the next four years, including plans to bring New York City up to international standards in compliant construction and highlighting the need for the adoption of a model code. Click here to download the 2006-2009 Strategic Plan.

NYS Submits Proposals for ICC Code Cycle
The New York Department of State (NYS) has developed and submitted code change proposals to the 2003 I-Codes for the 2006–2007 ICC Code Development Cycle. The proposed changes will be discussed at ICC's Code Development Hearings taking place at its Annual Conference September 20-October 1 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Click here to view a list of the code proposals submitted from individuals within New York State.

NYSBOC Ready to Respond
On the heels of the June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season, the NYSBOC announced a partnership with the State of New York’s Department of State’s Codes Division and the State Emergency Management Office to provide enhanced assistance to the communities in the Empire State in times of man-made or natural disasters. The Code Enforcement Disaster Assistance Response Program (CEDAR) partnership provides trained voluntary code enforcement officials to assist communities; expediting building inspections and providing information for a variety of purposes, including financial assistance from state or federal disaster agencies.
According to meteorologists at Colorado State University, there is a 7 percent chance of a hurricane making landfall between New York City and Boston’s southern suburbs this year. The NYSBOC believes it is important to be aware of the role of the code enforcement official in each municipality in New York State. For details on the CEDAR Program or NYSBOC, click here.

Protect Public Safety in NY Communities
City managers, building department staff and code officials working to revitalize economically depressed areas or rehabilitate older buildings will find the ICC Property Maintenance and Housing Institute, August 28-29 in Liverpool, N.Y., a great opportunity.
Participants will learn current methods on improving jurisdictions through community partnerships, proper code enforcement and successful court action. The Institute includes panel discussions with industry experts who will share insight into property maintenance code administration, program challenges and strategies for success. For details on the Institute or to register, click here.

Get Virtual with ICC in New Interactive Forum
Interested in the latest updates on ICC and the NorthEast Regional Coalition? Searching for links and news on the New York State Code Coalition? Want to share your comments with the ICC Board of Directors? Then check out the New York ICC Interactive Forum, which provides late-breaking news on the issues that are shaping the ICC of today and tomorrow, as well as great opportunities for presenting your relevant opinions, concerns and suggestions. To test out the new forum, click here.

ICC Welcomes NY Chapters Aboard

NYS ICC Chapters

Building Officials Assoc. of Suffolk County Finger Lakes Building Officials Assoc., Inc. Firemen's Assoc. of the State of New York Monroe County Fire Marshals and Inspectors Assoc. Niagara Frontier Building Officials Assoc. NYS Assoc. of Fire Chiefs NYS Building Officials Conf. NYS Building Officials Conf., Capital District Chapt. NYS Building Officials Conf., Central Chapt. NYS Building Officials Conf., Mid-Hudson Valley Chapt. NYS Building Officials Conf., Rockland County Chapt. NYS Building Officials Conf., Westchester Chapt. NYS Fire Marshals and Inspectors Assoc. Southern Tier Building Officials Assoc. Westchester Co. Fire Marshals/Fire Inspectors Assoc.

New York only recently adopted the 2000 version of the I-Codes in 2002, and already it has 15 ICC Chapters. The NYSBOC Central Chapter was recently approved by the ICC Board of Directors at its last meeting, and one more application has been submitted for review and approval.
The states in Region 6 (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) have been actively meeting and are in the process of organizing an ICC Northeast Regional Coalition that will be sworn in at ICC’s Annual Conference in September. For more information, contact Wayne Cichon or click here.
For more on ICC Chapters, or to read the ICC Chapter eNewsletter, click here.

I-Codes Reduce Costs and Concern
Did you know that nationwide, more than 18,687 jurisdictions in 48 states enforce the I-Codes to protect people and property in their communities? Studies indicate that every dollar spent on building safer and stronger, on average, reduces losses from natural disasters by $4. Every dollar spent on disaster mitigation saves $7 in disaster-related economic loss. Click here to see which jurisdictions are benefiting from using the I-Codes.

Plumbing Code Legislation Signed for NYC

Mayor Michael Bloomberg (seated) signs the bill that enacts the New York City Plumbing Code, which is based on the IPC. Standing (L-R): Commissioner Patricia Lancaster, Councilman David Weprin, Councilwoman Madeline Provenzano, Councilman Peter Vallone, and Executive Director of the Office for People with Disabilities Matthew Sapolin.

Enacting new plumbing and administrative provisions as part of the adoption of a model building code for New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed legislation adopting the International Plumbing Code in New York City. The law also provides for the adoption of subsequent legislation, to be introduced later this year, which will contain the remaining portions of the code (the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code).
Under the leadership of Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster, several options were evaluated before recommending adopting the International Building Code. The Department's Model Code Program engaged over 400 engineers, architects, tradesmen, safety experts, industry representatives, labor professionals and government officials in a consensus process to review the IBC and propose any modifications necessary to account for New York City's unique high-density environment.

NY Students Get Extended Chance at Scholarships
Established to support the advancement of building and fire safety, raise public awareness, and honor those who have been essential to the formation of the ICC and its chapters, the ICC Foundation’s Scholarship Program offers sponsored and managed scholarships for children of employees of active ICC Governmental members. The extended deadline for sponsored applications is July 14. Read more.
Any NY Chapter interested in making a contribution or establishing a scholarship fund, please contact ICC Deputy Chief Operating Officer Dominic Sims at 1-888- ICC-SAFE (422-7233) ext. 5267.

Reimbursement Honors NY Military Veterans
Recognizing the importance of certification in employment and career advancement, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a program to reimburse select ICC Professional Certification Exam fees for qualified military personnel. Read more.