Building safety, disaster prevention the focus of International
Code Council Spring Meeting
What:
The International Code Council Spring Meeting
in Overland Park features Code Hearings, Education Programs
and an Expo.
Why:
Code changes resulting from hearings at
the International Code Council meeting affect how homes
and buildings in your community are constructed. Code officials,
engineers, contractors and others involved in code development
regularly update building safety and fire prevention codes
to enhance public safety.
Story Ideas:
One significant code change proposal stems from the 9/11
tragedy and would revise the fire resistance rating of
high-rise buildings from two to three hours. Another proposal
results from the Rhode Island nightclub fire and would
require nightclubs and similar facilities to have sprinklers
if the occupancy is more than 100 people instead of the
current 300. Interview International Code Council President
Anne vonWeller about the code change proposals.
Last May almost 400 tornados hit Kansas and 18 other
states. The International Code Council and the National
Storm Shelter Association are developing standards for
the design and construction of storm shelters and safe
rooms. International Code Council CEO and former FEMA
Director James Lee Witt is available to talk about disaster-resistant
construction.
Overland Park and Kansas City, Missouri, enforce the
I-Codes. The International Building Code is used statewide
in Kansas. Interview Overland Park Code Administrator
and International Code Council Board Member Tim Ryan about
local code activities.
Mold in homes and buildings has been linked to allergic
reactions and serious illnesses, making it a growing concern
around the nation. Architect Steven Bostwick specializes
in forensic architectural investigation and is available
to discuss building moisture issues.
To pre-schedule interviews, contact Public Relations
Specialist Gretchen Hesbacher at 703-931-4533, ext. 240.
During the meeting, contact Steve Daggers at 708-351-8880.
Where:
Sheraton Overland Park Hotel
6100 College Boulevard
Overland Park, Kansas
When:
May 16-20, 2004
May 16, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Education Programs
May 16, 2-8 p.m., Expo
May 17-20, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, Final Code Hearings
Who:
James Lee Witt, a leading expert in disaster prevention
and building safety and CEO of the International Code
Council
Anne vonWeller, Chief Building Officer for Murray City,
Utah, and President of the International Code Council
Tim Ryan, Overland Park Code Administrator and Board
Member of the International Code Council
