BOMA named EPA Partner of the Year. BOMA International has been named as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the BOMA Energy Efficient Program. The award was given in the Excellence in Program Delivery in the Commercial and Industrial category. BOMA International is the first real estate association to receive the Partner of the Year award.

Apartment groups say Katrina response too chaotic. The federal housing response to Hurricane Katrina was too complicated; failed to take advantage of existing housing programs; and created unnecessary pain, confusion and chaos for both evacuees and housing providers. That was the message to Congress in testimony by the National Multi-Housing Council/National Apartment Association Joint Legislative Program.

Hurricane Katrina bears down on the Gulf Coast. (NOAA)

Report highlights hurricane-resistant construction in Florida. A recent article in the Miami Herald offers tips on following building codes to strengthen homes against hurricane-force winds. The article quotes several building and safety experts, including Federal Alliance for Safe Homes President Leslie Chapman-Henderson who said, "The good news in Miami-Dade and Broward (counties) is that your codes are making a difference."

AIA announces recipients of 2007 Housing Awards. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced 19 recipients of the 2007 Housing Committee Awards. The AIA's Housing Awards Program, now in its seventh year, was established to recognize the best in housing design and promote the importance of good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit and a valuable national resource.

Green Building Conference comes to St. Louis. The Ninth Annual NAHB National Green Building Conference will be held March 25-27. Keynoter William McDonough, originator of the "Cradle to Cradle" philosophy and a world-renowned practitioner of ecologically, socially and economically intelligent architecture, leads off a conference featuring more than 30 experts in new technologies, energy efficiency, sustainable products and innovative design.

NEW PRODUCTS

2006 IRC Plan Review Record
List $30.00 | Members $23.00
This product provides a thorough checklist of applicable code sections from the IRC and references to other applicable standards. The Plan Review Records are an essential resource to conduct detailed, consistent plan reviews.

Code Changes Resource Collection: Approved Code Changes Resulting in 2006 IRC
List $42.00 | Members $31.50
Users will enjoy the wealth of background information offered by this reference. This publication compiles all published information for each code change made from the 2003 to 2006 editions of the IRC. It includes the text of submitted changes, committee actions and modifications, assembly actions, successful public comments, and final actions for successful changes.

The following are upcoming events at which ICC staff will attend and/or host an exhibition booth:
March 15
New York State Building Officials Conference Westchester Chapter Annual Conference, White
Plains, NY
March 15-17
California Fire Prevention Institute, Buellton, CA
March 15-17
California Building Officials Association 45th Annual Business Meeting, Sacramento, CA
March 18-20
Southwest Fire Rescue Vendor Showcase, Austin, TX
March 20-21
Finger Lakes Building/Fire Officials Codes Expo,
Rochester, NY
March 21-23
WV Equipment, Technology and Design Expo, Charleston, WV
March 21-23
Midwest Builders Show,
Chicago, IL
March 21-24
AGC Constructor Expo 2007,
San Antonio, TX
March 22-25
Utah Builders Conference, St. George, UT

Hearings, Education Highlight Codes Forum

	The agenda for the Final Action Hearings in Rochester, NY, includes 634 items.

Join the nation's leading code enforcement and fire service officials, architects, engineers and other construction industry professionals in Rochester, NY, May 18-26, for the 2007 International Code Council Codes Forum. The event includes the Code Council's Final Action Code Hearings and code update seminars. Register now to attend the 2007 Codes Forum. The Final Action Agenda is available.

ICC Expands Plumbing, Mechanical Programs

Peters

Jay Peters has joined the Code Council as Executive Director of Plumbing and Mechanical Activities. Peters will be responsible for increasing the programs' visibility and industry involvement; identifying new standards, guidelines and code-related matters; developing training programs and support products; and creating new avenues to advance Council activities in the plumbing and mechanical arenas.

Call for Committee Members
The Code Council is currently accepting applications for several Codes & Standards Committees. Committee members are appointed by applicable International Building, Fire, and Mechanical/Plumbing Code Councils. Committee members from 2006-07 whose terms expire December 31, 2007, must reapply to be considered for re-appointment. Click here for an application form.

California Adoption Makes the News
The California Building Standards Commission's (CBSC) unanimous decision to adopt the I-Codes as the basis for the state's new codes garnered widespread media attention. California media, including the Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Business News, the San Jose Business Journal and several popular websites, including Yahoo and quote.com, ran detailed stories based on the CBSC news release.

News coverage from Associated Press focused on plumbing code changes that will allow the use of plastic water pipe, as reported in this clip from a California TV station. The story also was picked up as far away as North Carolina.

Trade media also covered the story, including Building Design and Construction and WaterTechOnline.com.

11 Chapters Visited on California Tour

Following CBSC's unanimous decision to adopt the I-Codes, Code Council representatives visited 11 ICC Chapters on a week-long tour. From left, San Jose Building Official Dennis Richardson, ICC Board President Wally Bailey, California Building Officials Chapter President Sheila Lee, ICC CEO Rick Weiland, CBSC Executive Director Dave Walls and ICC Board member John LaTorra.

NIBS Honors Conover, Green
Code Council Government Relations Senior Advisor Dave Conover and Board of Directors Immediate Past President Henry Green were honored during the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Awards Dinner held in Washington, DC. NIBS President David Harris presented Conover with the 2006 President's Award for his work on the SMARTcodes initiative. Green was honored for his service on the NIBS Board of Directors from 1999-2007, including a term as chair in 2002-03.

NIBS Joins ICCF Board of Governors
The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) has joined the ICC Foundation's Board of Governors as a public interest member. NIBS President David Harris, FAIA, will be the representative on the Board.

ICC Participates in International Builders' Show

The Code Council was among the 1,900 exhibitors at the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) International Builders' Show in Orlando, Florida. More than 103,000 building industry professionals attended the event. During the show, ICC and NAHB announced an agreement for the joint development of a residential green building standard.

Chatting with the President

	Bailey

Code Council Board President Wally Bailey held his first "fireside chat" earlier this month. Bailey outlined current initiatives of the organization and answered questions for almost one hour. Participants ranged from locations such as Alaska, Michigan and Kenya. Bailey's fireside chats will continue on a quarterly basis.

Board Seeks Feedback on Recommendations
The Code Council Board of Directors wants your input and feedback on recommended proposals from the Governance Committee related to Board elections and the Nominating Committee. Please review the report and provide your feedback on the proposed changes.

Standard for Log Homes Approved
A set of standards for the design and construction of log homes and other log structures will soon be available for builders, architects, building officials, inspectors and other interested parties. The International Code Council Standard on Design, Construction and Performance of Log Structures, approved by the American National Standards Institute as an American National Standard, is the first of its kind. It is intended to facilitate and promote the design, construction and installation of safe and reliable structures built with log timbers.

Kaplan Partners on Updated Engineering Series
Kaplan is once again partnering with the Code Council to release a series of engineering publications designed to assist individuals in preparing for the P.E. and S.E. Exams. This new series includes: Seismic and Wind Forces: Structural Design Examples, 3rd edition; 2006 IBC, Structural Steel Design, LRFD, 3rd edition based on 2006 IBC; and AISC 13th edition, Structural Steel Design, ASD, 2nd edition.

New Building Department Administration Coming
An updated version of the classic Building Department Administration is in the final stages of production and scheduled for release in May. This publication has been completely revamped and includes new chapters on disaster mitigation, existing buildings, green buildings and leadership.

Building Safety Week Materials Available
Several items are available to help support and recognize Building Safety Week activities, May 6-12. Materials include free informational brochures, sample proclamations, logos and strategies for conducting a successful week-long event.