Month: June 2017

ICC releases update to building accessibility standard

ICC A117.1 provides greater accessibility to buildings
for persons with physical disabilities

Washington, D.C. –The International Code Council (ICC) released an update to the 2009 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities standard that provides greater accessibility to buildings for persons with physical disabilities and incorporates new elements of building design. The 2017 standard is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) American National Standard and was developed through a consensus-based process that brings together all the stakeholders, including disability-rights groups, code officials, product manufacturers, design professionals, and facility owners and managers.

The ICC A117.1 standard helps achieve uniformity in the technical design criteria in building codes that allow a person with a physical disability — such as the inability to walk, blindness or deafness — to independently get to, enter and use a facility. The standard is intended for adoption by government agencies and organizations.

“ICC staff worked tirelessly to shepherd the 2017 version of the accessibility standard through the approval process. We’re pleased to present this updated standard, which takes into account the latest technology, such as powered wheelchairs and electric vehicles,” said ICC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO.

This updated edition of the standard continues to meet or exceed provisions with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and the Fair Housing Design Guidelines. The standard includes:

• Enhanced dimensions for clear floor space, turning space, and accessible routes for new buildings and additions.
• Provisions incorporating many of the latest public right-of-way criteria for curb cuts, blended transitions, detectable warnings, diagonal parking and street parking.
• New provisions to improve safety for accessible routes through parking lots, and to address accessibility at electric vehicle charging stations.
• New provisions to facilitate the charging of powered wheelchairs in areas such as accessible hotel rooms and wheelchair seating in assembly spaces.
• New provisions for water bottle filling stations, and spaces for sign language interpreter stations and video booths.
• A new section addressing classroom acoustics to reduce the intrusion of noises from outside the classroom and improve room acoustics.

To learn more about the new standard, visit www.iccsafe.org/icc-asc-a117.

About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

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Florida legislature updates code adoption procedures

Building commission finalizes adoption of the 2015 edition of the I-Codes

Washington, D.C. – On June 23, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law House Bill 1021 to modify the code adoption process for Florida. This law provides that the Florida Building Commission continue to update the Florida Building Code on a three-year cycle and adopt updates based on the International Code Council’s family of model codes (International Codes or I-Codes) and the National Electrical Code. Also last week, the Commission finalized the sixth edition of the Florida Building Code. The new edition of the state code is based on the 2015 I-Codes and will be effective on December 31.

House Bill 1021 is intended to simplify the code adoption process in Florida by allowing the Florida Building Commission to avoid the need to amend requirements not applicable to Florida that were addressed in the previous update cycle, such as the deletion of snow loads. In addition, wind and flood provisions will continue to be updated in order to comply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) policies for public disaster assistance, and the Commission will consistently review and adopt updates based on the latest International Energy Conservation Code to maintain the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction. The bill also ensures that the Commission shall adopt any updates necessary to maintain eligibility for federal funding and discounts from the National Flood Insurance Program, FEMA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The Code Council has long advocated for state adoption processes that are simple and effective and provide users and enforcers of the code time to prepare and adjust to code updates,” said ICC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “Over the past few months, we worked closely with members and stakeholders to ensure that the new process would continue to result in a Florida code that meets or exceeds the I-Codes while taking into consideration the unique needs of the state.”

The Florida Building Commission has begun work on the rulemaking to implement the changes, and the Code Council will continue to work closely with Florida’s legislators, the Florida Building Commission, the code administration community and all stakeholders to ensure that Florida’s building codes are strong, its residents are protected and its communities are resilient.

About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

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Whitney Doll Joins International Code Council as Director of Communications

Will Lead Strategic Communications and Public Relations Efforts

Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council (ICC) announced that Whitney Doll has been named the association’s Director of Communications. Doll brings more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit communications and public relations to the position. She will oversee the Code Council’s strategic communications initiatives and media relations program, and work closely with internal and external audiences to solidify the ICC brand.

“I’m delighted to welcome Whitney to the team. Her communications expertise will be an asset to ICC as we look to raise the profile of the association and our membership,” said International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “The growth of our external relations program will help us in our mission to provide the highest quality codes and standards for creating safe and resilient buildings and communities.”

Prior to joining the Code Council, Doll was the Senior Communications Specialist at CNA, a nonprofit research and analysis organization located in Arlington, Va. Doll managed CNA’s external relations program, which included media relations, social media and the external website. Previously, Doll served as Communications and Events Manager at Community of Hope, a housing and health care nonprofit in Washington, D.C., where she developed and oversaw all aspects of the organization’s communications plan.

She earned an M.A. in International Politics from American University in Washington, D.C., and a B.A. in International Politics from Pennsylvania State University in State College, Penn.

A high-resolution photo of Whitney Doll is available for download.

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About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

Opportunities to Learn, Network and Have Fun at the 2017 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 10-13

Key Events include Expert-led Training sessions, Professional Certification Exams, Global Connections Day, Annual Business Meeting and a chance to hear from a Buckeye legend

Industry-leading educational sessions, networking events, historic building tours, the popular Building Safety & Design Expo, and this year’s keynote speaker Archie Griffin—the only two-time winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy—are just a few of the exciting highlights of the International Code Council’s Annual Conference set for Sept. 10-13 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The Building Safety & Design Expo is the nation’s premier gathering of building safety and design professionals from both the public and private sectors. The Expo brings together professionals from the built environment—local trade representatives, architects, engineers, and plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, building and fire safety professionals from around the world—for a dynamic exchange of critical information on the latest technologies for building a safer, more resilient world.

The conference will offer many unique educational sessions led by the Code Council’s national expert instructors. Attendees will be able to earn Continuing Education Units and Learning Units and walk away with smart strategies, actionable tactics, improved skills and real connections with people shaping the future of building safety. This year, education session handouts will be available for download only. Participants can either download the handouts to their electronic devices or print them to bring to their scheduled sessions.

Educational tours, offered at an extra cost, include Smith Brothers Hardware Company, a landmark in downtown Columbus since the 1920s, renovated as a banquet and restaurant center; BrewDog Brewery & Franklin Park Conservatory; Ohio State University Stadium and Woody Hayes Athletic Center; Palace Theatre and Lincoln LeVeque Building, and the Bridge Park Project.

The keynote speaker this year is Ohio State’s Archie Griffin, former collegiate and NFL star, now the Buckeye’s senior adviser for advancement after serving for 11 years as the president/CEO of Ohio State’s Alumni Association.

Building on the success of last year, Global Connections Day 2017 will showcase two important and timely subjects. The morning session, “Building and Fire Codes, Fire Protection and Safety Around the World,” will feature Paul Rivers, senior fire protection specialist at 3M Company and president of the board of directors for the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. In the afternoon, “Global Economic Trends and Business Practices” will include Dante Amato, strategic account manager at Metrostudy, and a panel discussion of building safety service providers on the future of the industry.

On Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10, motorcycle enthusiasts can participate in the annual Bob Fowler Motorcycle Ride, which supports the Fowler Foundation honoring the memory of the first chairman of the International Code Council Board of Directors.

The Council of Past Presiding Officers will hold its Third Annual Ron Burton Golf Outing fundraiser, which celebrates the life and work of William Ronald “Ron” Burton, a renowned code expert known for his mentoring skills. Funds raised are used for programs to develop training opportunities and resources for the next generation of code officials.

Code Council non-members who opt for a full conference registration will receive a free, one-year Building Safety Professional membership. For details and a list of exclusive member benefits and services included in this offer, visit www.iccsafe.org/conference-membership-offer.

Complete details on the Code Council’s 2017 Annual Conference, including registration, discounted lodging, restaurant coupons, companion events and the popular Conference App, are available at www.iccsafe.org/conference.

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About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

ICC and NAHB Release New Tech Notes Series to Help Industry Navigate Code Requirements and Industry Best Practices

The International Code Council (ICC) and ICC Evaluation Service  (ICC-ES)  are working with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to distribute the TechNotes series developed by NAHB’s Construction Technology Research Subcommittee and Innovation Research Lab. The TechNotes series is designed to assist builders in understanding and applying latest code requirements as well as implementing best practices in order to avoid building performance issues related to interior humidity levels, condensation in wall and roof assemblies, and interior air quality.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to assist our Members and the building industry to apply the latest codes to ensure the safety and resiliency of our communities, we are proud to support the TechNotes series and make these resources available through our website,” said International Code Council Board of Directors President M. Dwayne Garriss, Georgia State Fire Marshal.

“NAHB has worked diligently in creating these TechNotes and we are confident that these consolidated and simplified guidelines will be beneficial to both home builders and building officials in creating safe and affordable homes,” said Construction Codes and Standards Committee chairman Chip Dence.

The TechNotes series will continue to expand and include new topics.  Currently included and available free of charge are the following:

Whole House Mechanical Ventilation. A summary of IRC requirements for installing whole-house mechanical ventilation systems. System types, benefits, costs, and design considerations are covered.

Building Air Tightness. A summary of building code (IRC and IECC) requirements for building tightness, blower door testing and air barriers. Critical areas of a house needing proper air sealing are identified.

Floors above Crawlspaces. Recommendations and best practices for floor construction over crawlspaces in hot/humid climates. Considerations include vapor permeability of floor materials, type of floor insulation and proper ventilation.

Rain and Groundwater. Recommendations and best practices for exterior wall drainage and bulk moisture control to avoid water infiltration into basements and crawlspaces. Covered practices include overhangs, gutters, flashing and water-resistant barriers, foundation drains and waterproofing and site grading.

Window and Door Flashing. A summary of IRC requirements and best practices for window and door flashing. Covered are flashing material types, proper installation methods, standard details, and references to industry sources for additional guidance and details.

Vapor Retarders. Recommendations for proper selection of vapor retarders and best practices for proper placement within the wall assembly. Existing building code requirements are summarized and climate zone-specific recommendations provided.

Supplemental Dehumidification. Recommendations for controlling interior humidity levels in homes in hot-humid climates. Existing building code requirements are summarized and best practices for installation of both standalone and integrated dehumidifiers are provided.

For more information or to download your copies today, please visit  www.iccsafe.org/TechNotes or www.nahb.org.

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About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.