ICC eNews — May 2005

Legislative priorities discussed at Capitol Hill Day

Members of the ICC Board of Directors and Government Relations Advisory Committee met with Congressional representatives during Building Safety Week Capitol Hill Day to discuss ICC’s legislative priorities for the 109th Congress. Those priorities include the Code and Safety for the Americas (CASA) Act, the National Wind Hazard Reduction Program, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, and the Cigarette Fire Safety Act.

In addition to addressing legislative priorities, each of the representatives offered ICC as a resource for building safety and fire prevention issues. Click here to read more.

Foundation presents inaugural Silent Defender Awards

The International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) presented its inaugural Silent Defender Awards during a special dinner held in Washington, D.C., as part of this year’s Building Safety Week activities. Honorees included 92- year-old Fire Marshal George Sacco of O’Hara Township, Pennsylvania, Congressman Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania and Congressman Early Blumenauer of Oregon, and the World Bank.

Click here for more details on the first-ever Silent Defenders Awards Dinner.

ICC partners with Mexico to develop building safety codes

ICC parnters with Mexico ICC will provide technical assistance to the Mexican government to develop a residential building code as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mexican National Commission of Housing Development. Under the MOU, the I-Codes will serve as a guide for the creation of new codes and standards in Mexico. "The Mexican government has a long-term plan to update its construction standards to include the safest techniques, materials and technologies," said ICC CEO James Lee Witt. "The I-Codes, already enforced in thousands of U.S. jurisdictions, will be the basis for housing construction in Mexico. The codes will provide Mexico's residents with safe, affordable and comfortable housing."

The MOU signing took place during Building Safety Week, May 8-14. Click here for more information.

Building Safety Week survey identifies likely code violations

While code officials, designers and contractors work as a team to build the safest homes and buildings possible, a new survey identifies the most commonly found code violations.

In new homes, consumers should look out for structural and framing problems, and make sure grading, foundation, footings and fire blocking passed inspection. The ICC 2005 Building Safety Week survey also urges paying close attention to stairs and handrails.

For more information on the annual survey, click here.

Green addresses Energy Code Conference

ICC Vice President Henry Green addressed the importance of building safety, as well as improving energy efficiency, while speaking to attendees of the District of Columbia’s 2005 Energy Code Conference in Washington, D.C. The event was held during Building Safety Week activities.

Green emphasized the importance of alternate building construction as a way to combat the increasing costs of energy. During a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, he said, "If codes do the job, they minimize the damage and people aren't left homeless."

Click here for more information on Green’s speech at the conference.

Tangye posthumously inducted into NAHB Hall

NAHB Hall of Fame Former ICC CEO William J. Tangye was posthumously inducted into the National Housing Hall of Fame on April 16 during the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) spring executive board meeting.

The National Housing Hall of Fame was established by NAHB in 1976 to serve as a repository of historical information for its honorees and their contributions to the housing industry. Tangye was one of the driving forces behind the cooperation between ICC and NAHB, and he worked diligently to create a mutually beneficial working relationship between the two groups. Those efforts led to his posthumous induction into the Hall, the first for an individual who was not a member of the housing industry.

Click here for more details on the late Tangye’s induction into the National Housing Hall of Fame.

ICC well represented at CFSI annual event

CFSI Dinner ICC’s Fire Service Activities Team and International Fire Code Council were well represented when fire officials, legislators, code officials and others paid tribute to the nation's fire service at the 17th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, D.C. This year's theme was "Protecting Our Communities…and Everyone Goes Home."

Organized by the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the annual dinner serves as a fundraiser. The institute works to educate Congress about fire and life safety issues. ICC, a supporter of the event since 1992, hosted three tables at this year’s dinner.

For more information, click here.

Proposed Accreditation Criteria on agenda for IAS hearing

The IAS Accreditation Committee Hearing will be held on May 24, 2005, in Los Angeles, California. A listing of accreditation criteria that will be discussed during the hearing is available by clicking here.

The purpose of the hearing is to establish accreditation criteria pertaining to the IAS accreditation programs. The open hearing process provides all interested parties with the opportunity to contribute ideas or voice their opinions on the items posted on the agenda. The public is invited to attend and provide written or oral comments.

The hearing will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will be held at The Westin Los Angeles Airport, 5400 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045; phone: 310-216-5858.

For more information on IAS, click here

Call for volunteer Code Commentary authors

Volunteer Authors The ICC Codes and Standards Development Department is calling for volunteer authors for the 2006 editions of the ICC Code Commentary (handbook) documents.

If there is a subject or particular code section or sections in any ICC code for which you would desire to author Commentary text or provide graphics, please contact Gregg Gress at 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), extension 4343.

Commentary text and graphics contributions from any interested subject matter expert are welcome and would be appreciated.

Product Listings & ICC-ES Evaluation Reports

ICC-ES A number of recent inquiries from users of ICC-ES Evaluation Reports have prompted the need for an explanation of the differences between listings and evaluation reports. Each serves a distinct purpose and they compliment each other. Neither should be considered a product approval. Only the code official has the authority to approve the use of a product in his jurisdiction. The listing and evaluation report are tools that the code official can use in making his or her decision.

For more information on these differences, click here.

Chapter newsletter going electronic!

Beginning in July, ICC Chapter eNews will debut as an electronic publication. The latest newsletter will e-mail to subscribers on a quarterly basis and include news and notes pertaining to ICC’s Chapters located in the U.S. and around the world.

The final print edition of the ICC Chapter Leader was published in April/May. For more information on the new ICC Chapter eNews, click here. For more details on the benefits of becoming an ICC member, click here.

2006 ICC Seminars—Call for Scheduling Assistance

ICC Regional Map ICC’s Training and Education Department is committed to supporting chapters’ training and education efforts by ensuring that Open Enrollment Seminars do not conflict with annual education dates or special events. Staff is beginning to plan the 2006 Open Enrollment Seminar schedule and needs input concerning dates that ICC training would directly conflict with chapters’ annual activities.

ICC is asking that this information be submitted by June 1, 2005. Please contact Lisa Leffel by e-mail: lleffel@iccsafe.org; fax: 708-799-2651; or telephone: 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422- 7233), extension 4332. Include the following information in the communications:
  • Name of chapter.
  • State the chapter is located.
  • Name of sender.
  • Current title with the chapter.
  • Date(s) ICC should avoid offering/scheduling 2006 Open Enrollment Seminars.

In July, ICC will distribute a proposed schedule for the 2006 Open Enrollment Seminars so that chapter representatives will have an opportunity to provide final input and information to further ensure ICC avoids conflict with anticipated chapter plans and annual events for 2006.

For more information on ICC Training, click here.

How to Reach Us

ICC has established a toll free number — 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) — to improve member and customer access to its various departments and services. By dialing this toll number, you can reach the following:

Headquarters and Birmingham, Chicago and Los Angeles District Offices

Membership x33804 IT Product Support x33822 Code Opinions x33807 Plan Review x33809 Product Orders/Customer Service x33801	Training x4322 *Building Safety Journal™* x5248 Government Relations x6239 Contractor Examinations x33805 National Certification Program x33806

You can also reach the following departments and subsidiaries by dialing:

Product Orders/Customer Service 1-800-786-4452 National Certification Program 1-866-422-3926 Contractor Examinations 1-877-783-3926	International Accreditation Service, Inc. 1-866-427-4422 ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. 1-800-423-6587 ICC Foundation (513) 574-0957

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