Bylaw Amendment Changes Get
Green Light from Membership
At the 2005 ICC Annual Business Meeting held in Detroit, Michigan, Amendment 2005-1 to the ICC Bylaws was approved by the Governmental Member Representatives present and voting. The amendment received the minimum required two-thirds (66 percent) vote for approval and, after certification by the President, the approved amendment will become effective 10 days thereafter. A total of 2,104 ballots were returned with 95.6 percent approving. For more information on the bylaw amendment changes, click here.

Pre-Purchase Your 2006 I-Codes Now
You can now pre-purchase the 2006 International Codes (I-Codes) and have them shipped as soon as they become available. Expected availability is March 2006. Click here to pre-purchase your codes now.

New Price Adjustments
Scheduled for April
Orders for ICC products placed on or after April 1, 2006, will reflect new pricing. A preview of the price adjustments will be available online by Jan. 20.

Witt Joins Ranks of Historic City Club

	James Lee lectures at the “Citadel of Free Speech.”

ICC CEO James Lee Witt recently spoke at the prestigious City Club of Cleveland. Founded in 1912, the “Citadel of Free Speech” is the oldest continuous speakers’ series in the nation, and was recently designated as one of the top-two speaking forums in the country by the Public Affairs Group. Past speakers include Presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan; former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger; and Senators John Glenn and John McCain.
Witt spoke on the response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina. Click here for a Podcast of the speech. For more news from last year’s devastating hurricane season, click here.

Prepare Yourself for the 2006 I-Codes
Hire ICC to teach seminars that will help your organization make the transition from the 2003 I-Codes to the 2006 I-Codes! The seminars focus on major changes between the codes, and are appropriate for design, construction, fire, inspection and other professionals with an intermediate- through advanced-level of code knowledge and on-the-job experience. Instructors well-versed in a specific code’s changes and development will present the facts in a concise, cut-to-the chase fashion. Seminars include valuable references to be used back on the job. For a complete list of seminars available to help you with the transition, click here.

Witt Offers Expertise on Disaster
Response for NEMA
ICC CEO James Lee Witt was among those participating in the National Emergency Management Association’s (NEMA) analysis of disaster response in the U.S., including the role of the military, federal government, state and local governments, and citizens when disaster strikes. The white paper includes recommendations to Congress, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve emergency management and disaster response.

Natural Hazard Mitigation
Pays off in New Study
The Building Seismic Safety Council’s sister council at the National Institute of Building Sciences, the Multihazard Mitigation Council, released a 10-year study of future savings from mitigation activities. Not surprisingly, the study Mitigation Is Cost Effective and Reduces Future Losses shows that natural hazard mitigation pays off—an approximate $4 benefit to society as a whole for every $1 spent on mitigation, and an average federal savings of $3.65 for each dollar spent. The FEMA-commissioned study examined grants aimed at reducing future damages from earthquakes, wind and floods. It found that such efforts reduce future losses and are cost-effective in terms of increased tax revenues and reduced hazard-related expenditures.
The two-volume report is available here.

ICC Foundation Gives the Gift of Codes

	(L-R) Sen. Hollis, ICCF President Paul Myers and Rep. Pinac step up to help hurricane-ravaged Louisiana parishes.

ICC Foundation (ICCF) President Paul Myers joined State Senator Ken Hollis and State Representative Gil Pinac in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to announce an assistance plan in which ICCF will donate ICC building safety codes to the 11 Louisiana parishes declared federal disaster areas. The donated codes will help replace technical libraries that were damaged or destroyed during the hurricanes.
“As a former building official, I know that using the International Codes, combined with strong enforcement, will help Louisiana to build back stronger and safer, and better protect lives and property from future hurricanes and other disasters,” commented President Myers. “As promised, ICC will open a regional office in Louisiana to help the state with its hurricane-recovery efforts.”
For more on how Louisiana will build back stronger and safer with new building codes, click here.

Telephone Seminars Reveal
Major I-Code Changes
ICC has scheduled a series of 90-minute telephone seminars that overview major changes from the 2003 to the 2006 editions of the International Building Code® (IBC), International Residential Code® (IRC), International Plumbing Code®, (IPC) and the International Fire Code® (IFC). The 2006 IBC Update was held Jan. 11, 2006, and the upcoming IRC update is slated for Feb. 28, the IPC Update will debut March 28 and the IFC Update is April 19. Instructors well-versed in a specific code’s changes and development will present the facts in a concise, cut-to-the-chase fashion. Each seminar includes handouts and question-and-answer periods to provide a thorough understanding of topics.
One low registration fee of $175 per telephone seminar pays for an unlimited number of participants at one location. The phone call to connect to a telephone seminar is toll-free. For more information or to register, click here.

ICC-NAHB Launch Survey on Code
Violations in New Construction
Coinciding with the 2006 International Builders’ Show®—the largest annual light construction show in the world with over a million square feet of the latest and most advanced building products—ICC and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) have launched a joint survey of code officials to determine the most common code violations found in new home construction. The purpose is to generate findings that will help stakeholders build better and safer homes, and arm consumers with key information as they make important home-buying decisions.
The survey is being sent to a sample of over 5,000 officials across the country and represents a continuation of a broad annual survey of code officials that ICC undertakes each spring as part of Building Safety Week. Results should be available in early February. For more information, contact Duncan Millar.

Avoid Costly Errors with Residential
Inspection Institute
The Residential Inspection Institute, to be held March 13-17, 2006, in Austin Texas, focuses on performing thorough residential inspections and avoiding costly mistakes. Nationally recognized practitioners will explain how to perform effective residential building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical inspections in a step-by-step fashion. The institute will feature interactive exercises, question-and-answer sessions, detailed checklists and other valuable job aids.
For more information or to register click here.

ICC-ES Committees Want You!
Are you an expert in the building codes, understand the complex process of product assessment, or have some ideas to improve current building practices? The ICC-Evaluation Service (ES) Industry Advisory Committee or Evaluation Committee could be the place for you.

The Lifeblood of Our Company “The values of an organization are what drive a company to success, and the epitome of these values can be seen in the service of those committed to making them a part of everything they do. I once came across a poster that summed up the importance of those who volunteer their time and service for a company— Service is the lifeblood of any organization. Everything flows from it and is nourished by it.— and there is nothing finer than those who dedicate their time and energy toward service for others, without looking for a reward or praise. As one of its most important assets, ICC thanks the many dedicated individuals who serve, and have served, on the Company’s boards, councils and committees. Their many contributions to the Company’s growth and success have brought ICC to the level it is today, and their invaluable service is deeply appreciated. The Company also wishes all its Board and Committee members, past and present, warm wishes for good health and a prosperous year for 2006.” —Rick Weiland, ICC Chief Operating Officer

ICC-ES is seeking candidates to serve on its 20-member Industry Advisory Committee, which advises ICC-ES on communications issues, customer service and cooperative efforts with government and industry. ICC Evaluation Service is also seeking code officials interested in serving on the Evaluation Committee, which injects the needs of the regulatory agency while guiding the rigorous testing and analysis process, and working with national and international experts.
Requests for appointment to either committee must be filed by Feb. 10, 2006. For more details, click here for the Industry Advisory Committee or here for the Evaluation Committee.

ICC Supports Local Code–Training Efforts
To better meet regional and individual code training needs, and provide greater support and resources for ICC chapters and local organizations to meet training demand, ICC has modified the focus of its training program by updating its open-enrollment seminar program. In 2006, ICC will offer national institutes, conferences, special events, online training and telephone seminars. Additionally, code-training providers can select from over 150 ICC seminars when they hire ICC to teach. ICC also develops and delivers customized training programs.
ICC is committed to meeting every training need, and looks forward to this opportunity to enhance and support local training initiatives. Contact our code training professionals at 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) ext. 33818 to discuss how ICC can assist in meeting your training needs. For more information on upcoming ICC and ICC Chapter training events, go to www.iccsafe.org/training.

Mark Your Calendars for
Building Safety Week

	Hurley Elementary School (La Puente, California) students show off their BSW activity books.

The annual ICC Building Safety Week (BSW), scheduled for May 7-13, 2006, will once again include a wide array of national and local programs to recognize the importance of building safety and fire prevention. Building Safety Week kits will be available Feb. 15, and include posters, code and building permit brochures, disaster preparedness information, as well as coloring books, pencils and stickers for children. For more information, click here.

	(L-R) ICCF President Paul Myers, Silent Defender Award recipient George Sacco, and ICCF Chairman and ICC CEO James Lee Witt at the 2005 dinner.

Celebrate Silent Defenders
at ICCF Awards Dinner
The ICCF invites you to attend the Second Annual Silent Defenders Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C., May 11, 2006. Recipients of this year’s awards for significant contributions to improve public safety, health and welfare include the Honorable Ted Stevens (R-AK), Inter-American Development Bank and The Home Depot. To attend this special event, click here.

Illinois Preps for First Statewide
I-Code Adoption

	Darren Myers brings the City of Peoria Building Inspections Department up to speed.

The Illinois Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act takes effect in April 2006 and includes adoption of the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC) and the 2004 IECC Supplement. In conducting education and outreach in Illinois, ICC Contracts Manager Darren Myers recently led an enforcement and compliance program for the City of Peoria Building Inspections Department and local architects. Sponsored by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and delivered by ICC, seven training events remain for first-quarter 2006. For a complete list of dates or to register, click here.

AMBO Institute Offers Something for Everyone
The 2006 Association of Minnesota Building Officials (AMBO) Educational Institute scheduled for Feb. 6-10, 2006, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, provides a week of education that includes seminars for those with entry, intermediate and advanced levels of inspection knowledge and experience. The institute includes intermediate and advanced code enforcement/inspection; mechanical/plumbing, fire/electrical and environmental health/property maintenance permit technicians; and construction technology course paths. The event also features a Management/Leadership Academy, presented by the University of Minnesota-Humphrey Institute, for all management-level personnel, as well as a two-day tradeshow where local and national suppliers will be available to “talk shop” about the latest in construction methods and materials.
To learn more, click here.

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©2005 International Code Council, Headquarters; 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 600; Falls Church, VA 22041 USA

ICC eNews
January, 2006
Volume 3, Issue 1

Winner of an Award of Distinction, 2005 Communicator Awards.

Gold Winner,
2005 MarComm Creative Awards

ICC eNews is a free, monthly e-mail publication.

ICC Vision and Mission Statements

Vision
Protecting the health, safety, and welfare of people by creating better buildings and safer communities.

Mission
Providing the highest quality codes, standards, products, and services for all concerned with the safety and performance of the built environment.