ICC and the International Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS) Board today announced the selection of Raj Nathan as IAS President. Nathan is replacing C.P. “Chuck” Ramani, who is retiring after a 44-year career in global conformity assessment and construction code enforcement. Read more
Month: October 2017
ICC and Bureau of Standards Jamaica sign a milestone agreement to advance building safety in Jamaica
ICC and Bureau of Standards Jamaica sign a milestone agreement to advance building safety in Jamaica
The International Code Council (ICC) and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) recently signed a milestone memorandum of understanding to update Jamaica’s building codes. Under this agreement, ICC will work with BSJ to produce customized building codes for Jamaica based on ten of the International Codes, including the International Building Code, International Plumbing Code and International Mechanical Code. Read more
International Code Council and International Accreditation Service Board announce new President
       |
|
 |
|
| For Immediate Release October 31, 2017 www.iccsafe.org |
Contact: Whitney Doll (202) 568-1798 wdoll@iccsafe.org |
|
International Code Council and International Accreditation Service Board announce new President Raj Nathan, an expert in the accreditation field, to take over by March 2018 Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council (Code Council) and the International Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS) Board today announced the selection of Raj Nathan as IAS President. IAS is a nonprofit, scientific, educational subsidiary of the Code Council that accredits calibration and testing laboratories, providers of inspection services, building/code enforcement agencies, fire prevention departments, fabricators, metal builders’ and assemblers’ inspection programs, management system certification bodies, product certification agencies, personnel certification bodies and related conformity assessment organizations. Nathan is replacing C.P. “Chuck” Ramani, who is retiring after a 44-year career in global conformity assessment and construction code enforcement. Nathan has over 30 years of experience in business development, operations, accreditation and conformity assessment and has been with IAS since 2002. His most recent position was Senior Vice President, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations for the organization. During his tenure at IAS, Nathan spearheaded a major restructuring of the organization’s operations to better serve clients’ needs, led a multi-phased software development to automate internal processes, directed an enhanced digital marketing strategy and spearheaded IAS’s global business services. “On behalf of the IAS Board, I’m excited to welcome Raj as the new IAS President,” said IAS Board of Directors Chair James G. Toscas, P.E. “Raj has been a dedicated member of the IAS team and an important factor in the remarkable growth of the organization for many years, and we all look forward to working with him closely during this transition and beyond.” “Raj’s appointment as president is the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment to IAS. Under his vision and leadership, we’re sure to see a continued focus on quality services, customer satisfaction and global growth,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. Nathan has a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management Systems from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from Osmania University, India. A photo of Raj Nathan is available here. About the International Code Council About the International Accreditation Service The International Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS), a member of the ICC Family of Companies, is a nonprofit, public-benefit corporation that has been providing accreditation services since 1975. IAS accreditation programs are based on recognized national and international standards that ensure domestic and global acceptance of its accreditations. ### |
|
Combustible exterior wall “cladding” systems: An ICC perspective
The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in London brought extensive public focus on combustible exterior wall systems, often called “cladding,” prompting many questions as to how these types of fires can occur and what the risks are of such a fire in the future. A new ICC article focuses on the 2018 International Building Code requirements in terms of fire safety and what to look for in plan review and inspections when cladding is used on a noncombustible wall. Read more
International Code Council and Bureau of Standards Jamaica sign a milestone agreement to advance building safety in Jamaica
|
|
|
|
|
| For Immediate Release October 30, 2017 www.iccsafe.org |
Contact: Whitney Doll (202) 568-1798 wdoll@iccsafe.org |
|
International Code Council and Bureau of Standards Jamaica sign a milestone agreement to advance building safety in Jamaica Modern, updated codes will help strengthen Jamaica’s infrastructure in light of recent natural disasters Kingston, Jamaica – The International Code Council (ICC) and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) recently signed a milestone memorandum of understanding to update Jamaica’s building codes. Under this agreement, the Code Council will work with BSJ to produce customized building codes for Jamaica based on ten of the International Codes, including the International Building Code, International Plumbing Code and International Mechanical Code. ICC will also provide its expertise to help with strengthening training programs for code officials in Jamaica. The World Bank Group, as part of its Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project, and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction & Recovery (GFDRR) facilitated this agreement through a $30 million loan granted to the Government of Jamaica to support investment in resilient infrastructure and disaster risk reduction measures. Between 2001 and 2010, ten major natural disasters impacted Jamaica, affecting approximately two million people and causing nearly $1.21 billion in property losses. This agreement is a much-needed boost to Jamaica’s efforts to address the effects of natural disasters and prevent the loss of lives and property. The Code Council’s engagement in Jamaica complements a simultaneous effort carried out by the Government of Jamaica to enact a new Building Act, expected to be passed by Parliament by December 2017. The act would considerably modernize building control processes and formally give legal effect to the adapted ICC building codes. BSJ Chairman James Rawles noted that “ICC engagement is critical to Jamaica as it will set the stage for a successful implementation of the new Jamaican Building Code. This will be a major step to protect health, safety and welfare and make Jamaica more resilient to natural disasters.” “This is a landmark agreement with the potential to protect health, safety and welfare in Jamaica,” said ICC Executive Vice President Mark Johnson. “We are excited to be working with Jamaica and many other countries around the world to establish strong building codes, resilient communities and safe buildings.” To download photos from the signing, click here. About the International Code Council ### |
|
New Resource on Combustible Exterior Wall “Cladding” Systems
New Resource on Combustible Exterior Wall “Cladding” Systems
As codes and standards specialists, building and fire safety is constantly at the forefront of our minds at the International Code Council, particularly this month as we observe Fire Prevention Week. This year, it has also been at the forefront of the public debate after the devastating fire at the Grenfell Tower in London. Just this week the Wall Street Journal released the article “Buildings Across U.S. Are Wrapped in Same Panels That Fueled Deadly London Fire.”
As indicated in the Wall Street Journal article, some believe that combustible exterior wall systems (also known as cladding) may have contributed to the fast-burning London fire. The Grenfell Tower is not in a country that uses the International Building Code (IBC) and was not constructed in strict compliance with the IBC. The Code Council cannot make comparisons between the design and construction of the Grenfell Tower or other non-IBC buildings relative to the provisions of the IBC as these buildings have not been built to our code provisions.
However, we did develop a new resource for you regarding the use of combustible exterior wall systems for buildings constructed to the IBC. Download it now.
At this time, no deficiencies have been identified in the IBC regarding cladding, and fire experts agree that our model code and process ensures a reasonable level of safety. In addition to stringent requirements for the use of combustible exterior wall systems, the IBC requires many safety features for all new high-rise buildings including noncombustible fire resistance rated construction, at least two ways of exiting the building via shafts of fire rated construction, automatic sprinklers, fire alarm and smoke detection systems for early warning, and emergency voice/alarm communication systems. Also required are inspections by independent third parties to assure that the materials are installed in accordance with their product listing or label and the code.
The Code Council recognizes that review and revisions may be necessary to respond to new research and technology. Through our open and transparent consensus-based code development process, the model codes are updated on a 3-year cycle to reflect the most modern, energy-efficient, cost-effective safety measures and technology. Proposals for the 2021 Group A codes (which include the IBC and International Fire Code) are due on Monday, January 8, 2018. In rare instances to address immediate threats to health and safety, we also have an emergency action procedure, outlined in Council Policy 28, which governs ICC’s Code Development Process.
If you have questions, please contact Mike Pfeiffer, Senior Vice President of Technical Services, at x4338 or mpfeiffer@iccsafe.org.
Volunteer opportunities available on International Code Council committees
|
|
|
|
|
| For Immediate Release October 23, 2017 www.iccsafe.org |
Contact: Whitney Doll (202) 568-1798 wdoll@iccsafe.org |
|
Volunteer opportunities available on International Code Council committees Applications are due by Wednesday, October 25 Washington, D.C. – Volunteer opportunities are available on several distinguished International Code Council (ICC) Standards Consensus Committees. Committee members play a key role in the codes and standards development process and are integral to developing the model codes and standards that provide for safe buildings and resilient communities in the U.S. and many other countries. Volunteers have the chance to share their expertise, build their skills and knowledge, learn more about the consensus process and network with peers from throughout the global community who have similar interests. The Standards Consensus Committees review applicable ICC standards to determine whether the standard will be re-affirmed, revised or withdrawn. Terms last through completion of the updated standard. Volunteer applications are due by Wednesday, October 25, 2017, for the following committees.
Also, the Codes and Standards Council, which advises the ICC Board of Directors regarding applications for code and standard related committees and provides oversight of related procedures, currently has five vacancies. The term is January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2020. For more information about these committees and councils and information on how to apply, click here. ### About the International Code Council |
|
Volunteer opportunities available on International Code Council committees
Volunteer opportunities are available on several distinguished ICC Standards Consensus Committees. Committee members play a key role in the codes and standards development process, and have the chance to share their expertise, build their skills and knowledge, learn more about the consensus process and network with peers from throughout the global community. Read more
Save the Date
Save the Date
Save the Date
2018 Annual Conference, Code Hearings & Expo
October 21 – 31, Richmond, Virginia
Annual Conference: October 21 – 24
Public Comment Hearings: October 24 – 31
Building Safety & Design Expo: October 21 – 22
Connect, Collaborate, Motivate
No other building safety conference offers more exclusive International Code resources and education opportunities to support the work you do than the ICC’s Annual Conference. The 2018 Conference will include top-notch education sessions where you can earn CEUs and LUs, building tours, the Global Connections Day event, valuable networking and the opportunity to help finalize the Group A 2018 International Codes®.
Expand Your Building Code Knowledge to Help Protect Your Community
Grow your knowledge and expertise with the most comprehensive building safety educational sessions available. Your participation in ICC’s conference training sessions, building tours, Expo Education Pavilions and code hearing attendance, could earn you the following CEUs to help maintain or move forward to your next certification:
• In-person participation or attendance at the code hearings can earn up to 1.0 CEUs
• Sunday Preconference Tours – 5 hours or .5 CEUs
• Monday Enrichment Education – 3.5 hours or .35 CEUs
• Tuesday Conference Education Program – 6 hours or .6 CEUs
The building safety and code knowledge you gained from ICC’s educational sessions will be of great value to you, your organization and your community.
Group A Codes
The 2018 Public Comment Hearings offer building and fire code officials, architects, builders, engineers, designers, PMG and Pool & Spa professionals the opportunity to help finalize proposed code changes to the Group A International Codes.
• International Building Code® (IBC®)—IBC-E, IBC-FS, IBC-G
• International Fire Code® (IFC®)
• International Fuel Gas Code® (IFGC®)
• International Mechanical Codes® (IMC®)
• International Plumbing Codes® (IPC®)
• International Property Maintenance Code® (IPMC®)
• International Private Sewage Disposal Code® (IPSDC®)
• International Residential Code® (IRC®)—IRC-M, IRC-P
• International Swimming Pool and Spa Code® (ISPSC®)
• International Wildland-Urban Interface Code® (IWUIC®)
• International Zoning Code® (IZC®)
.
• International Fire Code® (IFC®)
• International Fuel Gas Code® (IFGC®)
• International Mechanical Codes® (IMC®)
• International Plumbing Codes® (IPC®)
• International Property Maintenance Code® (IPMC®)
• International Private Sewage Disposal Code® (IPSDC®)
• International Residential Code® (IRC®)—IRC-M, IRC-P
• International Swimming Pool and Spa Code® (ISPSC®)
• International Wildland-Urban Interface Code® (IWUIC®)
• International Zoning Code® (IZC®)
.
See page 2 of the 2018/2019 Code Development Schedule for details on code chapters, notes and committee information for the Group A codes, click here.
Building Safety & Design Expo
The expo will feature free educational sessions and vendors showcasing the latest industry building products, technologies and services—October 21–22, 2018.
Top Hoarding Expert to Speak at the ICC Annual Conference
Matt Paxton, a top hoarding expert and a featured cleaner on the hit television show HOARDERS, is speaking at the ICC Annual Conference this year. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to hear this renowned specialist share his expertise about a topic that is inextricably linked to building safety, fire prevention and the codes. The International Property Maintenance Code in particular provides requirements for a minimum level of safety and sanitation in existing structures that covers cleanliness, rubbish disposal, rodent infestation and means of egress. Read more
Invitation and Welcome Videos
Find out more about Richmond…
Registration Begins May 2018
Already planning to attend, let us know and use #ICCAC18
ICC, CALBO partner in American Red Cross donation match campaign for wildfire relief
In light of recent devastating wildfires, ICC has joined with the California Building Officials (CALBO) to match funds donated to the American Red Cross up to $10,000 within the next month. Read more and donate here.
