I-Code hearings, education highlight May event

The nation's leading code enforcement and fire service officials, architects, engineers and other construction industry professionals will meet in Rochester, New York, May 20-26, for the 2007 International Code Council Codes Forum. Codes Forum includes the Code Council's Final Action Code Hearings and code update seminars.

The Final Action Code Hearings will result in the 2007 Supplement to the International Codes and serve as the basis for the 2009 I-Codes. Several hundred code change proposals receiving comments will be discussed individually during the hearings.

"Participating in the Final Action Code Hearings is a great opportunity to make a significant contribution to public safety," said International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. "Code Council governmental members, including building and fire officials, have the final say in the content of the International Codes used to guide construction in thousands of communities across the United States to safeguard the public and protect property."

Codes Forum also includes education sessions on the transition to the 2006 I-Codes. The education programs will be held on May 20 and include updates on the International Building, Residential, Fire and Plumbing Codes.

A separate event, held prior to Codes Forum, is the Design Professional Institute, May 18-19. Topics include Architectural Applications for Designers, Solving Means of Egress Issues in Commercial Buildings, Accessibility and Usability, and Mixed Occupancies. All courses reference the 2003 International Building Code and will help attendees learn how to design code-compliant projects. The Design Professional Institute and Codes Forum offer continuing education units (CEUs), AIA learning units (LUs) and AIA health, safety and welfare (HSW) credit.

All Codes Forum events are being held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The Design Professional Institute is at the nearby Hyatt Regency. For more information on the 2007 International Code Council Codes Forum, the Design Professional Institute or to register for these programs, visit iccsafe.org/codesforum, call 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), ext. 4229 or

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.