Florida homeowners
get a tax break. The state's lawmakers unanimously approved legislation
that will bar assessments on any changes, additions or improvements  to
homestead property that sustained damage from any of the 2004 hurricanes,
as long as the total square footage of the home does not increase by more
than 10 percent. The bill is expected to save homeowners a minimum of
$170.2 million to as much as $1.53 billion. Lawmakers also approved a
bill creating a 12-day sales tax holiday on the purchase of hurricane-preparedness
items like flashlights, portable radios, tie-down kits and generators.
Many Florida homeowners are unaware of insurance discounts. Experts
estimate less than one percent of the state's homeowners are taking advantage
of insurance discounts they're eligible for when adding wind resistant
features to their homes. However, new state legislation will require insurance
companies to notify policy holders of the available discounts.
Head of National Hurricane Center praises Florida's building code.
Max Mayfield told a recent meeting of the Governor's Hurricane  Conference
that Florida made a very positive step when it initiated statewide building
codes. He said building to the new codes and preparing before hurricanes
hit the coast will make life easier for homeowners and their insurance
companies.
Article outlines lessons learned from the 2004 hurricane season.
An article that appeared in Florida Today outlines the five lessons learned
from last year's devastating hurricane season, including the importance
of enforcing strong building codes to help withstand the forces of the
natural disasters. The article cites noted tropical weather forecaster
William Gray of Colorado State University, who says the U.S. can expect
more active hurricane seasons due to the warming of the Atlantic Ocean.
Click
here to read the entire article.
Amherst, New York, will step up building code enforcement. Based
on the Army Corp of Engineers' study blaming poor soil for the sinking
of an unusual number of Amherst homes, reported in the April 29 CEO/COO
eUpdate, Amherst officials say residents need an added layer of protection
when they are building their homes. The Corp study said Amherst's codes
were insufficient to prevent severe structural damage that has affected
nearly 1,100 homes since the 1970s.
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Investigative
report shows Cincinnati's fire inspections are lagging. A recent article
in the Cincinnati Enquirer shows that nearly half of the city's 260 highrises
were overdue for fire inspections. Officials blame the backlog on work
overload and an antiquated record-keeping system. To read the entire report,
click
here.
2003 INTERNATIONAL
PLUMBING CODES HANDBOOK
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#9205S03 $59.95 $53.95
This is an all-in-one manual written by master plumber and well-known
author R. Dodge Woodson, who puts the two codes used in the United States
into user-friendly language. Users can answer pipe, drainage, vent and
trap questions; solve common problems with illustrations of workable solutions;
find workedout examples of every type of plumbing task; quickly locate
figures, formulas and charts for water heaters, fixtures and faucets,
fuel piping, storm water drainage, and all other calculation needs; and
much more! Referencing up to the standards of the 2003 IPC®, this is an
excellent guide for all plumbers from apprentice to master. (450 pages)
DISASTER REDUCTION LIVING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
#9531S $79.00 $71.00
Because of its combination of science and humanitarianism, this comprehensive
book on disaster mitigation promotes a culture of prevention and reaches
a wide range of fields. Professionals dealing with building construction
as well as academia, students and society in general will find this book
a compelling tool for natural disaster preparedness as it emphasizes engineering
aspects, social repercussions and economic projections. With more than
30 years of research behind it and a long list of resources, this book
is truly a product of international cooperation. (Hardcover, approximately
513 pages)
REDUCING FLOOD LOSES THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL CODES
#7320S1 $15.00 $12.00
This FEMA guide, used in conjunction with the IBC and IRC, assists communities
to initiate or continue participation in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). With the publication of the International Codes, the opportunity
exists for communities to integrate building safety and flood plain management.
2005 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE HANDBOOK
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#5002S05 $75.00 $67.50
This handbook is published by McGraw-Hill AND authored by Brian J. McPartland
and Joseph F. McPartland. Based on the 2005 National Electrical Code®,
it specifies the minimum provisions necessary for protecting people and
property from hazards arising from the use of electricity and electrical
equipment. Anyone involved in any phase of the electrical industry must
be aware of how to use and apply the code on the job. It undergoes a rigorous
review and revision process every three years by the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA). This book is a trusted resource for understanding
and applying the code. This edition does not include a CD like the previous
edition. The table of contents follows the structure and numbering system
of the 2005 National Electrical Code®.
2003 IRC Hurricane
Resistant Residential Construction
This one-day seminar (6 contact hours/0.6 CEUs) provides information on
the requirements of the Hurricane Residential Construction Standard (SSTD10),
which addresses pre-engineered prescriptive design and construction details
with the purpose of improving the structural performance of residential
buildings in hurricaneprone zones. The seminar provides wind resistant
designs and construction details for oneand two-story residential buildings
of typical wood-framed construction, and one-, two- and three-story residential
buildings of typical concrete or masonry construction sited in high wind
regions. The seminar also includes information that assists communities
in initiating building safety and flood plain management.
The following are
upcoming events at which ICC representatives will attend and/or host an
exhibition booth.
June 8-11, New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, Syracuse,
NY
June 9-11, Mississippi Fire Chiefs Conference, Vicksburg, MS
June 10-11, Southern Building Show, Atlanta, GA
June 11-15, Texas State Firemen and Fire Marshal Association Annual
Conference, Grand Prairie, TX
June 12-13, Tennessee Municipal League, Gatlinburg, TN
June 12-16, Texas State Association of Plumbing Inspectors, Amarillo,
TX
June 15-17, Association of Idaho Cities, Idaho Falls, ID
June 21-23, AEC-ST Conference & Expo, Orlando, FL
June 23-26, Arkansas State Firefighters Conference, North Little
Rock, AR
June 24-25, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Green Bay,
WI
June 24-26, New England Fire/Rescue/EMS Conference, West Springfield,
MA
June 26-28, BOMA International, Anaheim, CA
June 27-30, Association of Fire Chiefs, Perdido Beach, FL
June 27-30, 2005 National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes,
Austin, TX
June 28-29, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs, Wenatchee,
WA
ICC
ePARTNERS
Volume 1, Issue 3
June, 2005
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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Customer
service initiative kicks off at Birmingham District Office
 Members
of the Senior Management Team, vice presidents and other personnel recently
participated in a two-day seminar conducted by Jerry Keenan of Achieve
Global. The objectives of the seminar were outlined as:
- Further developing
ICC's service culture.
- Building awareness
of the impact of internal and external service.
- Creating unit level
plans to support the rollout of service initiatives.
The seminar identified
the basics of service quality and culture and consisted of group activities,
prioritizing and mapping critical customer service experiences, and an
overview of the upcoming training programs for staff.
CEO James Lee Witt and COO Rick Weiland both spoke on the
ICC Board of Directors' commitment to evolving ICC into a world-class
customer service organization.
Witt
attending Asia Society conference
CEO James Lee Witt is traveling to Bangkok as a guest of the Asia
Society to speak at its 15th Annual Corporate Conference. He will sit
on a panel with other world renowned experts to discuss the topic: "After
the Tsunami: Rebuilding and Recovery Across South and Southeast Asia."
He will also meet with Asian government officials and dignitaries.
Hurricane
interview appears on CNN
CEO James Lee Witt was interviewed for CNN International's Hurricane
Season "kickoff" that aired recently. The focus of the conversation was
what third world countries can do to prepare for the storms.
Green
speaks at Energy Code Conference
 ICC
Vice President Henry Green was the keynote speaker at the District
of Columbia's 2005 Energy Code Conference. Green noted that ICC, through
its Industry Advisory Council, has created a Green Building Task Group
(TAG) to provide a forum for IAC members to discuss the emerging green
building movement and its relationship to ICC for the purpose of implementing
the following policies:
- Serve as a resource
for ICC in the development and implementation of green building codes.
- Provide IAC members
with an understanding of current events pertaining to green building
so they are informed of market trends.
- Identify opportunities
with the building code system to minimize barriers to the use of green
building concepts.
- Identify the impact
on building codes and the associated regulatory system.
Green also discussed
the importance of building safety and improving energy efficiency, and
emphasized the importance of green building construction as a way to combat
the increasing costs of energy. The audience included employees from the
U.S. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Green thanked them
for the work they do, congratulated them on adopting the 2003 International
Codes, and offered ICC as a resource for assistance. He also officially
invited the Department to join the ICC Major Jurisdictions Committee.
For more information, click
here.
BUILDING
SAFETY WEEK
At least 24 states sign proclamations
 ICC
has received approximately 30 proclamations from governors, mayors and
county leaders declaring Building Safety Week. Among those are 24 states,
including the first-ever Building Safety Week proclamation from the state
of South Dakota.
Foundation
hands out inaugural Silent Defender Awards
 The
International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) honored a 92-year-old Fire
Marshal, two Congressmen and the World Bank for furthering the cause of
building safety and fire prevention during the inaugural Silent Defender
Awards Dinner held during Building Safety Week. Fire Marshal George Sacco
of O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania, Congressman Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania,
Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, and the World Bank received the
Silent Defender Awards. The Foundation hosted a reception after the awards
dinner. Click
here for more details.
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ICC
partners with Mexico to develop building safety codes
Under an MOU signed by CEO James Lee Witt and the Mexican National
Commission of Housing Development, ICC will provide technical assistance
to the Mexican government to develop a residential building code based
on the I-Codes.
"The Mexican government has a long-term plan to update its construction
standards to include the safest techniques, materials and technologies,"
Witt said. "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." Click
here to read more.
Brown
bag series, Congressional reception conclude Building Safety Week events
 During
Building Safety Week activities in Washington, D.C., ICC staff and members
of the Board of Directors participated in a brown bag discussion with
representatives of the World Bank and its Hazard Management Unit. The
event was part of the World Bank's ongoing Hazard Management Brown Bag
Lunch series. The Foundation's Paul Myers, ICC staff members Rick
Okawa and Alberto Hererra, and Directors Bill Dupler
and Tim Ryan were among those attending the event.
Also, ICC hosted a Congressional reception on Capitol Hill to celebrate
Building Safety Week. More information on this year's BSW activities is
available by clicking
here.
Home builder named
to ICCF Board. Don Pratt, President and CEO of Wake-Pratt Construction
in Michigan and Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders
(NAHB) Research Center, has been named to the Board of Governors for the
International Code Council Foundation. As a general contractor, builder,
developer and broker, Pratt has hands-on experience in nearly every phase
of the construction industry. In addition to NAHB, Pratt also is active
in the Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan, the Michigan
Association of Home Builders, the Energy Star Homes Council and the Michigan
Construction Industry Mutual Insurance Company.
 ICC-ES
Evaluation Services Department conducts customer service study. In
an effort to improve application turn-around time and overall customer
service, ICC and ICC-ES have asked the firm Achieve Global to perform
a comprehensive study of ICC-ES practices relating to customer service.
The focus is to foster a positive relationship with evaluation report
applicants whose primary interests are business considerations as opposed
to the technical aspects of complying with the code. The goal is to establish
a committed customer service environment that will minimize frustration
over the technical review process that is necessary to protect report
users and ICC.
Staff meets new Underwriters Laboratories (UL) CEO. Keith E. Williams
met with UL's corporate members recently, presenting them with a broad
view of his goals in the position. Since he does not assume his new position
until May 15, Williams spoke in generalities but appeared to focus on
global business. Williams previously was senior vice president for Medtronic,
a medical equipment company, where he nurtured the company's Asia-Pacific
business.
| PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT
SERVICES |
Contractor Examination
Services begins testing for Idaho. In April, the State of Idaho signed
an agreement with ICC for contractor and trades testing services. Currently,
Contractor Examination Services is offering computer-based testing in
Idaho for journeyman gas and venting specialty and journeyman HVAC. More
tests will be added in the near future.
Wyoming adds two more ICC exams. This month the state of Wyoming
added two new ICC low-voltage electrician examinations to its growing
list of ICC exams available to individuals seeking licensure within the
state.
ICC examinations are now a requirement statewide in Kentucky.
A recent rule change in Kentucky now makes ICC exams mandatory for individuals
seeking licensure in the electrical, HVAC or fire alarm/sprinkler testing
fields.
Certified Fire Marshal examination nears completion. The ICC Fire
Service Examination Development Committee has nearly completed the Certified
Fire Marshal Examination. The test will be on-line in January 2006.
New inspector examination read. The ICC Coastal Construction Examination
Development Committee completed its third form of the Coastal and Flood
Plain Construction Inspector Examination. The initial offering of the
exam will be in July.
Committee members approved. The Examination Development Committee
members for the ICC/CALBO certification exam have been submitted by CALBO
and approved by BIPS.
Another institute pulls in a high number of registrations. The
2005 Property Maintenance Institute, which beings on May 19, is the third
institute this year to have very strong registrations. Being held locally
to the Chicago District Office, there are currently 146 people registered
to attend.
Demand for contract training continues. Upcoming training contracts
of note include the Smithsonian Institute, Grubb & Ellis-one of the largest
publicly traded commercial real estate service firms in the U.S.-and the
U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix and St. John, which was secured in cooperation
with the International Services Department.
Customers praise ICC training. Training and Education has received
complimentary comments from training sponsors. The Construction Services
Manager for Dunkin' Donuts said, "I have had many verbal and written thank
you's from the managers here who attended the program, and I wanted to
extend those thank you's to all of you who helped make these programs
possible." Following a recent class for the City of Phoenix, Arizona,
an attendee said, "This non-mandatory class was excellent. The instructor
was very knowledgeable and handled the usual class know-it-all blurters
perfectly."
 New
A&E Vice President named. John Battles, P.E., is the new Vice
President of Architectural & Engineering Services. John's long experience
in managing technical support activities uniquely qualifies him for the
new responsibility. John is located in the Birmingham District Office
at extension 5274.
Disaster Response Committee (DRC) Update: The DRC recently held
its second teleconference and approved the following mission statement:
"To develop a program of post disaster assessment and mitigation providing
a network for community outreach, enhancing the safety of the built environment
using qualified ICC volunteer resources." A job task analysis report was
given by subcommittee chair Fred Herman. The committee also discussed
the activities necessary to train and certify second responders. The next
teleconference is scheduled for July 6.
Hurricane Resistant Construction Committee (HRC) Update: The HRC
held its third meeting and is looking at options to more effectively and
expeditiously accomplish its mission of developing prescriptive regulations
to address hurricane resistant construction. One of the options is to
refocus the effort towards submitting the needed changes to the International
Residential Code and maintaining the current reference standards in the
IRC for wood and steel construction in high wind areas. The Standards
Council will be reviewing the options.
Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) Update: The IAC established
a task force to study the procedures to process modifications at the Code
Development Hearings. The main concerns include modifications that are
being proposed that are too lengthy to comprehend during the hearing debate
as well as the need for advance notification of modifications prior to
the code change being called.
 Staff
attends New Jersey Builders Conference. Mike Pfeiffer, Vice President
of Codes and Standards, attended the New Jersey Building Officials Conference
and held a cracker barrel session on the ICC committee appointment process.
One of the common responses was that jurisdictions were not able to afford
to have their code officials, inspectors and plan reviewers out of the
office to participate in such meetings. In order to participate, many
would have to take vacation time.
Committee appointments: The Standards Council is scheduled to
meet in mid-June via teleconference to review applications and appoint
the following committees: Manufactured Home Construction Safety Standards,
Bleacher Safety, and Committee on Referenced Standards.
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