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Florida considers
building code revisions. When the Florida  Building
Commission meets in March, it will consider 185 proposed changes to the
residential section of the state's building code. Many of the amendments
are in direct response to the last two hurricane seasons. One change would
require Florida homes to be built to withstand wind speeds of 150 mph
in high-wind areas.
Newspaper investigates Florida's screen enclosure failures. An
article in the Palm Beach Post says that faulty designs and poor
oversight were the main reasons for extensive hurricane damage to screen
enclosures in the state. Many porches were constructed under the design
of an engineer who had been suspended by the state. The state says Nagendra
Khanal lost his license for designing enclosures that were cheaper to
build but more likely to fall down because they lacked proper bracing
and support. To read the entire investigative report, click
here.
North Carolina builder named NAHB President. David Pressly
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David
Pressly
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was elected the 2006
President of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). He is President
of Pressly Development Company and has more than 25 years of experience
in the home building business. Other new NAHB officers are: Fire Vice President
Brian Catalde from Playa del Rey, California; Vice President/Treasurer Sandy
Dunn from Point Pleasant, West Virginia; and Vice President/Secretary Joe
Robson from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Christine McEntee
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AIA
names first female leader. For the first time in its 150-year history,
the American Institute of Architects will have a woman at its helm. Christine
McEntee took over on Feb. 1 as Executive Vice President and CEO, replacing
Norman L. Koonce, who retired on Dec. 31. McEntee is the former CEO of the
American College of Cardiology. In another change, Katherine Lee Schwennsen
has taken office as 2006 AIA President. She is the second woman to hold
that post.
ASHRAE honors 38 at winter meeting. Recognizing contributions to
the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) industry,
the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) honored 38 people at its 2006 Winter Meeting held Jan. 21-25 in
Chicago. The Society recognized distinction in environmental technology
by elevating 18 members to the grade of Fellow ASHRAE. Deceased Fellow ASHRAE
Jasper Guy Woodroof, was inducted into the ASHRAE Hall of Fame. Three first-place
ASHRAE Technology Awards were also presented. For more information, click
here.
Torrid housing market turns tepid. Signs are growing that the red-hot
housing market has begun to finally cool down. According to Ben Engebreth's
Housing Tracker Web site, the median asking price has declined five
percent or more in the last four months in Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles,
Miami, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The end to 20- to 30-percent annual
housing price gains may be due to federal interest rate hikes over the past
year and a half, that have forced up adjustable rate mortgages, creating
buyer resistance to higher home prices. National Association of Home Builders
(NAHB) Chief Economist David Seiders believes that demographic forces continue
to be favorable for real estate, and that local job markets remain healthy
in most major metro areas. "Local home price booms are generally followed
by a pretty orderly simmer-down unless there's some serious economic downturn,
and I don't think we are anywhere near the next recession," he said.
The PATH to innovative housing begins in March. Highlighting the
need for innovation in America's housing, and its role in promoting that
innovation, the Partnership
for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH)
is inviting all interested parties to a Showcase and Reception on March
7. Serving as an educational event for PATH's industrial partners, the reception
will include sponsored exhibits by PATH's Manufacturer Partners, displaying
PATH Tech Sets, PATH's Partner Program and PATH's Concept Home Principles.
2005 Vermont Guidelines
for Energy Efficient Commercial Construction
#4810S05 $31.00$25.00
 Vermont
builders and contractors can now purchase the 2005 Vermont Guidelines
for Energy Efficient Commercial Construction. ICC just completed the
publication, developed in cooperation with the Vermont Department of Public
Service. Vermont amended the Guidelines, which are based on the 2004 Supplement
to the IECC, to suit the state's specific needs. Designed to serve as
a statewide commercial energy building code, the 2005 Guidelines complement
the Vermont Fire Prevention and Building Code.
Essential Elements of a
Building Code
# 4024S$25.00$20.00
 This
publication extracts portions of the 1997 UBC and presents them in a sequential
and topical manner for the professional who wants to understand how an
actual model building code is set up. The developers of this publication
precede each chapter with an explanation of what that chapter intends
to do for the user and the community. This aspect will be critically important
for those [countries that] wish to develop their own building code. It
is anticipated that subsequent editions of this document will be updated
to include the latest edition of the IBC. Approximately 110 pages, soft
cover. Also available in Spanish.
The following are
upcoming events at which ICC staff will attend and/or host an exhibition
booth:
Feb. 14-16, International Roofing Expo, Las Vegas, NV
Feb. 19-21, New York Association of Towns, New York City
Feb. 24-25, NHPMC,
Concord, NH
March 8-10, Wildland Fire, Phoenix, AZ
March 15, Midwest Builders Show, Rosemont, IL
March 20-23, Finger Lakes Bldg Officials, Henrietta, NY
March 22-23, West Virginia Equipment, Technology and Design Expo,
Charleston, WV
March 23-25, Utah Builders Conference, St. George, UT
ICC
ePARTNERS
Volume II, Issue 2
February, 2006
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.
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Mississippi
Senator proposes
building code legislation
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A
damaged church in Pass Christian, Mississippi, before and after
reconstruction efforts. The church was gutted by Hurricane Katrina.
(Mark Wolfe/FEMA)
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The "Building a Safer
and Stronger Mississippi Act," introduced by Senator Mike Chaney
(R-Vicksburg) would adopt the IBC, IRC, IEBC, IMC, IPC, IFGC and NEC in
the state of Mississippi. The legislation would also require adoption and
enforcement of emergency wind and flood provisions in the 2003 IBC and IRC,
and establish a Mississippi Building Codes Council to certify individuals
performing code enforcement.
Witt continues with busy speaking schedule
ICC CEO James Lee Witt provided keynote remarks at a luncheon of
the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce in Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
on Jan. 25. He discussed preparedness issues and business continuity.
On Jan. 27, Witt spoke at the FSA Municipal Leadership Forum in Carefree,
Arizona. His topic was "Natural Disaster Risk and the Implications of
Public Finance." The event was sponsored by Financial Security Assurance,
one of the nation's three Triple-A bond insurers and the audience was
comprised of Wall Street and Fortune 100 CEOs. President Henry Green
joined Witt at the ICC Minnesota chapter meeting on Feb. 6. and on Feb.
9, Witt will give the keynote speech to an audience of 200 risk and security
professionals, lenders and investors at the Barnes and Mallon Annual Conference
in West Palm Beach, Florida. His topic will be: "Disaster Risk: Are We
Better Prepared Today than We Were in 2001?"
ICC continues support of post-hurricane efforts
 Mark
Roberts, former building official for the Louisiana Department of
Public Safety, Office of the State Fire Marshal, started Feb. 1 as ICC
Regional Manager of State Government Relations for Louisiana, Mississippi
and Alabama.
 Roberts
is an ICC Certified Building Official and Master Code Professional and
holds several other professional certifications. He was instrumental in
drafting and passing legislation to adopt the International Codes
(I-Codes) in Louisiana and has played a major role in building successful
coalitions between state and local governments and the construction industry.
To
read more about ICC’s commitment to serving the Gulf States in the aftermath
of the devastating hurricane season, click
here.
White House appoints ICC member
as new FEMA regional director
Plano (Texas) Fire Chief Bill Peterson has been appointed as the Director
of Region VI of FEMA, beginning Jan. 30. Region VI serves Louisiana, Texas,
New Mexico, Arkansas and Oklahoma. An ICC voting member, Chief Peterson
is credited with developing a progressive fire service organization in
Plano, delivering a wide range of fire protection and emergency medical
services to the community since 1982.
Witt offers input for NEMA white paper
ICC CEO James Lee Witt was among those participating in the National
Emergency Management Association (NEMA) analysis of disaster response
in the U.S., including the roles 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 FEMA to improve emergency management and disaster response.
GlobalOptions Group agrees to acquire
James Lee Witt Associates
James Lee Witt Associates (JLWA), a crisis and emergency management consulting
firm founded in 2001 by ICC CEO James Lee Witt, is being purchased
by GlobalOptions Group, Inc., a leading provider in domestic and international
risk management services. Once the acquisition is completed, GlobalOptions
will have offices in ten states and the District of Columbia.
"Eventually,
I will be required to devote 100 percent of my time to the new endeavor,"
said Witt, who also serves as Chairman and CEO of JLWA. "In the meantime,
I will continue to serve as the CEO of ICC and will work with you, our
members and stakeholders, over the coming months on a transition that
takes into consideration your priorities and the well-being of ICC. As
always, it is a pleasure to serve ICC and I look forward to continuing
our work together."
"James
Lee is to be commended for his exemplary leadership of ICC over the past
two and one-half years," ICC Chief Operating Officer Rick Weiland
said. "His dedication to saving lives and protecting property before and
during times of disasters is unparalleled. We wish James Lee and Lea Ellen
the very best."
For
more information on the GlobalOptions acquisition of JLWA, click
here.
 Accessibility
Advisory Task Group holds first meeting. The first meeting of the
GR Accessibility Advisory Task Group (AATG) was held on Jan. 5. Groups
participating in the meeting included the United Spinal Association, Paralyzed
Veterans of America, U.S. Access Board, National Council on Disabilities,
and the Washington State Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and
Employment. Action items initiated by the AATG include: encouraging greater
participation from disability groups in the code development process;
requesting clarification for the ICC Board regarding ICC's policy about
meeting vs. exceeding Fair Housing standards in the codes; harmonizing
the I-Codes with other federal requirements; and helping federal agencies,
such as the Department of Justice, apply the accessibility provisions
of the I-Codes in their own facilities.
ICC participates in development of virtual reality training based
on IFC. Jim Tidwell, VP of Fire Service Activities, participated in
the grant project received by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International
(CFAI) to develop Phase 2 of a virtual reality training program for line
fire officers who also perform inspections. This program is based upon
the IFC and is free to the first 2,500 users (including an IFC Fire Inspector's
Guide, purchased by CFAI). Tidwell also attended the Center for Disease
Control Fire Council meeting, where the goal of reducing fire deaths to
zero in the next 10 years was discussed.
Responses to House Science Committee follow-up questions completed.
After the appearance of President Henry Green before the House
Science Committee hearing in October on the NIST WTC investigation, the
committee submitted a number of follow-up questions for ICC to answer.
Congressional Relations staff prepared responses to those questions in
December. The questions and responses will be posted on GR's home page
in the near future.
 ICC
addresses Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). Last month,
John Battles, VP of Architectural and Engineering Services, spoke
at a luncheon meeting of SAME about the history of codes, the history
of ICC, the code development process and the advantages of adopting modern
building safety codes.
ICC represented at rebuilding conference. ICC stressed the importance
of code adoptions during a presentation in the "Rebuilding the South in
the Aftermath of Hurricanes Ivan through Katrina/Rita through Technology,
Energy Efficiency and Affordability" conference held at Tuskegee University
in Alabama. John Battles emphasized that the International Codes
address those issues in his presentation, "Why is Code Adoption and Enforcement
the First Step to Rebuilding the South in the Aftermath of Hurricanes
Ivan through Katrina/Rita." John also participated in the Government-Industry-Academia
panel discussing what needs to be done to facilitate the reconstruction
process. Other participants included the Department of Energy, Housing
and Urban Development and FEMA.
Report of NIST WTC activities: Since the issuance of the draft
NIST WTC report in June of last year, the Terrorism Resistant Buildings
(TRB) Committee has been actively analyzing the results of the investigation
in a series of conference calls. In September, the ICC Board assigned
the Code Technology Committee (CTC) a new area of study: Review of NIST
WTC Recommendations. In December, the TRB held its first face-to-face
meeting to review its findings. This was followed by a presentation of
the TRB findings to the CTC. During the CTC meeting, focus was provided
as to which recommendations could be investigated in time for the 2006/2007
code change deadline of March 24, 2006. The recommendations were reviewed
with an eye towards determining what items will be pursued solely by the
CTC and what will be pursued by the TRB, which in turn will submit to
the CTC. The next joint meeting of the CTC/TRB was held Feb. 2-3 in Orlando,
Florida, where it was anticipated that the CTC would create a report that
will be the subject of a public hearing on March 9-10. The results of
the public hearing will form the basis for code changes in 2006.
The NIBS/MMC committee charged with translating the recommendations
into the model building codes holds second meeting. ICC was represented
on the committee by Board member Tim Ryan, CTC Chair Paul Heilstedt
and TRB chair Bill Connolly. ICC VP of Codes and Standards Development
Mike Pfeiffer was also in attendance. During this meeting, both
the CTC and TRB reported on their findings and informed the group of how
they intend to proceed. The NIBS/MMC requested that the work products
produced by the CTC and TRB be forwarded to the NIBS/MMC for review and
comment.
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES |
ICC offers new
certification. Coastal and Flood Plain Inspector certifications began
at the first of the year, replacing the former legacy programs.
Upcoming events: EduCode is scheduled for Feb. 27-March 3. The
Codes Forum, which will feature training from ICC, CALBO and SVABO, will
be held on March 20-22.
ICC publications
win awards. The Building Safety Journal and ICC eNews
were each named Gold Winners in the 2005 MarCom Creative Awards. The 2004
July/August BSJ, already an award winner, won in the Magazine/Non-Profit
category while the 2005 January eNews won again in the External
Newsletter/Non-Profit category. The MarCom Awards is an international
competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication
practitioners. Entries are judged by professionals who look for companies
and individuals whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There
were 4,613 entries from across the U.S. and several foreign countries;
approximately 16 percent were cited with Gold Winners recognition.
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