CABO has joined a consortium of more than 80 engineering and
construction trade associations, technical societies, Federal
agencies, and research institutions on a National Project Review
Committee (NPRC) to streamline the nation’s building regulatory
process. The project, led by the National Conference of States
on Building Codes and Standards (NCSBCS), began in September
1996, and a kick-off meeting of the NPRC was held in December
1996.
Enhancing Public Safety
The project's mission is to enhance public safety and economic
development in states and localities, and support U.S. international
economic competitiveness in the construction industry by helping
each level of government (Federal, state, and local) determine,
adopt, and implement streamlined administrative procedures, processes,
rules, and regulations which eliminate existing areas of regulatory
overlap or inefficiency which have created barriers to safe,
affordable, and environmentally sound construction. (NCSBCS Background
Paper, Streamlining the Nation's Building Regulatory Process,
1997.)
The first phase of the project involves the review by the
NPRC of existing models that streamline the building regulatory
process, and identify possible modifications to strengthen these
models. The National Project Review Committee will assist in
getting these models implemented throughout the nation.
CABO Submits Model for Health Care Facilities
CABO recently submitted a model for consideration by the NPRC
regarding the recognition of state building codes by the Health
Care Financing Administration (HCFA) of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. In 1993, a study concluded that unamended
model codes offer comparable protection in new health care facilities
to the Life Safety Code, published by the National Fire Protection
Association. The study was completed by the National Institute
of Building Sciences (NIBS) at the direction of the HCFA Administrator.
CABO hopes that NCSBCS, along with the NPRC, will provide
assistance to states who desire HCFA recognition of their building
codes. As of this date, no state has achieved this recognition.
