Discover the Cutting Edge of Code Compliance

	ICC Government Relations Senior Advisor Dave Conover (second from right) demonstrates a real building plan being automatically checked for code compliance to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code with SMARTcodes. ICC Photo: Jocelyn Augustino.

Revealing the future course of the building industry, ICC unveiled a new cutting-edge system to automate code compliance checking at buildingSMART Day in Washington, D.C. Working off the concept known as “interoperability," SMARTcodes will reduce plan review time and increase code compliance, allowing staff to focus on enhanced building inspections and improving public safety. ICC is developing SMARTcodes in coordination with the buildingSMART initiative led by the International Alliance for Interoperability North America, a Council of the National Institute for Building Sciences.

Seismology Experts Follow Hawaii Quake
What's the difference between a 6.6 magnitude earthquake in Iran and a 6.7 magnitude quake in Hawaii? Strong building codes. Each of the four counties in Hawaii is in the process of updating to current versions of the International Building Code, and following the October 15 quake on the Big Island of Hawaii, ICC Congressional Relations staff visited the offices of Hawaii's Congressional delegation. They offered ICC experts as resources for questions and concerns regarding seismic building issues and distributed earthquake preparedness kits.

Draft on Storm Shelters Available for Public Comment
The ICC Consensus Committee on Storm Shelters has held 10 public meetings to develop the First Public Comments Draft of the ICC/NSSA Standard on the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters. The deadline for public comments is December 26.

Greening Up the Building Industry

ICC is doing its part; the new Wash-ington, D.C. headquarters office is located in the “green” NAR building.

The time is now to update construction codes to include green building practices. ICC Government Relations Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes spoke before the District of Columbia Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs on a bill to amend the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 to establish high-performance building standards that help mitigate the environmental, economic and social impacts of built structures in the District. Check out how the I-Codes promote application of environmentally sensitive and sustainable construction.

Driving Green into the Mainstream
Scheduled for completion in 2007, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) are working on Standard 189P, the ASHRAE/USGBC/IESNA minimum standard for high-performance green building. ICC technical staff are serving on the new committee.

Where Do You Stand on Five Important Issues?
From balanced fire protection, child window safety and climbable guards, to assisted living and NIST's World Trade Center recommendations, the chance to be heard will be December 11–12. The third meeting of ICC's Code Technology Committee—Balanced Fire Protection Height and Area Study Group will provide a public forum for comments in response to code committee action on balanced fire protection height and area code changes heard at the 2006 ICC Code Development Hearings.

Protect Your Family This Winter
People need to remain vigilant against carbon monoxide poisoning and fires in their homes and the best prevention is to have a professional inspection every year and install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging professional inspections of all fuel-burning heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, water heaters, chimneys, flues and vents.

Save Money and Prevent Future Loss
Did you know that while building to newer codes may result in slight monetary increases in construction, studies show that every dollar spent on building safer and stronger prevents four to seven dollars in future losses? Has your jurisdiction adopted one of the I-Codes? Let us know.

New Change Proposed for Nursing Home
Sprinkler Requirements
ICC is encouraging broad commentary to the implications of a new suggested rule, offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which would create a new retroactive federal requirement to install sprinkler systems in all existing nursing homes that lack that safety measure. The deadline for submission of comments on this proposed rule for state and local jurisdictions is December 26.

Weiland Appoints deCourcy as Senior Advisor

deCourcy

ICC CEO Rick Weiland announced the appointment of David deCourcy as Senior Advisor to the CEO. deCourcy will assume additional responsibilities in addition to serving as General Counsel, including overseeing the activities of ICC’s three subsidiaries: the ICC Evaluation Service, the International Accreditation Service and the ICC Foundation. This oversight will be consistent with those organizations’ bylaws, ICC policies and principles of corporate separateness.

News Views. . .
The following news links may take you outside ICC's website. ICC is not responsible for the content and privacy practices of non-ICC websites.
NPGA Calls for Strong Showing at June Meeting
Aggressive Selling Helps Stabilize Builder Confidence
Spain Requires Solar Power for New Buildings
Barnard Named SFPE 2006 Person of the Year
ICC Takes Action on ASHRAE Proposals
Protect Your Profits through Defensive Estimating
OSHA Policy on Subcontractor Workers Challenged
How Corrupt is UK Construction?
Model Homes Offer National IAQ Impact Results
ASHI Releases Largest Home Inspection Industry Study Result

This issue of eNews is sponsored by:

	Request the new Codes and Standards Reference Guide, the first in a series of four, and begin participating in the Dormont Safety through Mobility™ initiative today. Click here.		Introducing the new Toughbook® 19. Rugged, reliable, wireless. Now with a touchscreen LCD with patented anti-glare coating for superior daylight viewing.

How to Reach Us
ICC has 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-free number, you can reach:

Headquarters and Birmingham, Chicago and Los Angeles District Offices

Membership x33804 IT Product Support x33822 Code Opinions x338077 Plan Review x33809 Product Orders/Customer Service x33801 Training/Education Services x33818	Building Safety Journal® x5248 Government Relations x6239 Contractor/Trades Testing Program for Licensing Agencies x33805 Certification Program x33806 Certification Renewal Program x33815
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 UST System Operator Testing & Certification Program for States 1-866-422-3926 Inspector Certification Programs for States/Jurisdictions 1-866-422-3926	Disaster Preparedness/Mitigation & Response/Recovery Exams & Credentialing for Inspectors 1-866-422-3926 International Accreditation Service, Inc. 1-866-427-4422 ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. 1-800-423-6587 ICC Foundation (513) 574-0957