Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council welcomes three new staff members who will greatly contribute to the association’s building safety mission and its focus on innovation and excellent customer service.

Ryan Colker joins the Code Council as Vice President of Innovation. In this new role, Colker will identify emerging issues in the building industry, including how new technologies can be leveraged by codes and standards, methods to modernize the application of building regulations, and the development of new business strategies that support members and building safety professionals. He will also serve as Executive Director of the Alliance for National and Community Resilience. Most recently, Colker was the Vice President of the National Institute of Building Sciences, where he led the Institute’s efforts to improve the built environment through collaboration of public and private sectors. Previously, he was the Manager of Government Affairs at ASHRAE.

Karl Fippinger, CEM, PMP, is the new Vice President of Fire and Disaster Mitigation. He will be responsible for managing the Code Council’s relationships and programs related to fire service activities and emergency management. He will work with federal, state and local agencies in the area of disaster preparedness and public safety. Most recently, he led federal disaster response and recovery programs as well as emergency response planning, training and exercises for Dewberry. Previously, he managed professional development and exhibits for the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Fippinger brings more than 25 years of combined fire and rescue service experience in Arlington County (VA), Fairfax County (VA), and Prince William County (VA) as an instructor, command officer, and assistant fire chief. He is also a Certified Emergency Manager with the International Association of Emergency Managers. 

 Catherine Vinson is joining the Code Council to expand and further develop the Code Council’s customer service culture. She will initially focus on testing and certification as the Assessment Center Manager. In her most recent role, Vinson was an Operations Services Quality Manager for Protective. Previously, she was the director of Client Care for Employment Screening Services.

“We are thrilled to have these three new additions to our team,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “We are constantly striving to improve our products and services, and I am confident that these new members of our team will allow us to better support our members and advance our mission.”

To download photos of the three new employees, click below:

• Ryan Colker
• Karl Fippinger
• Catherine Vinson

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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.

Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council applauds yesterday’s passage by Congress of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Reauthorization Act of 2018 (S. 1768). Congress established NEHRP in 1977 to reduce the long-term risk posed by earthquakes and associated seismic events like tsunamis and landslides. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), as the lead agency, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) jointly oversee the program, which was last reauthorized in 2004.

The Code Council administers the development of the International Codes (I-Codes), a family of fifteen model codes, and thirteen standards used for residential and commercial buildings throughout the world that cover structural, fire, plumbing, mechanical, resiliency and more. The I-Codes have been adopted or are used in every state in the U.S and are the basis for the design of federal buildings and U.S. military facilities.

The 2018 NEHRP Reauthorization Act emphasizes NIST’s role in research and development to improve community resilience through building codes and standards. It reemphasizes FEMA’s role in providing grants to states to develop mitigation plans; conduct seismic safety inspections; and update the I-Codes they have in place to enhance seismic safety. The reauthorization also charges FEMA with using research to provide seismic resistant design guidance on building codes and supporting the I-Codes as our nation’s model building codes to promote best practices and reduce losses from earthquakes. Finally, the bill establishes a committee of government and nongovernment experts to recommend options for performance goals pertaining to post-earthquake re-occupancy and functional recovery time.

“We are pleased to see NEHRP reauthorized with a focus on community resilience,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “This important legislation ensures that the I-Codes continue to benefit from cutting edge research and provides resources for jurisdictions to enhance local mitigation efforts through code updates.”

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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.

S.1768 – National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018

Brea, Calif. – The Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC), a program of the ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), awarded Sferasol Energy an OG-100 certification for its SF-A solar thermal collector. This certification demonstrates that the product meets minimum safety and durability criteria and complies with the ICC 901/SRCC 100 Solar Thermal Collector Standard.

ICC-SRCC thoroughly examined Sferasol’s product information, test reports, calculations and other information using internationally recognized testing methods to ensure that the collector meets all requirements of the ICC-SRCC OG-100 program. The SF-A collector is a unique, spherical, glazed collector that permits the collection of solar energy from nearly any direction. The impact-resistant polycarbonate cover is over 1 meter in diameter, and allows water to flow over the entire interior surface.

“Congratulations to Sferasol for achieving their first OG-100 solar thermal collector certification,” said ICC-SRCC Vice President of Technical Services Shawn Martin. “Their successful completion of the program’s rigorous testing and evaluation requirements is a significant accomplishment, and they join an esteemed group of companies with this highly-regarded product certification.”

“We are proud to finally begin this new adventure in the United States after years of experience in the Italian and European markets,” said Sferasol Founder and CEO Mario Boaglio. “We would like to thank ICC-SRCC for their outstanding support in ensuring all U.S. market requirements were met as we prepare for our American journey. It is our sincere hope that the quality of the Sferasol product and our commitment to bringing it to the U.S. market meets the highest expectations of all our supporters.”

ICC-SRCC OG-100 certification is utilized by numerous incentive programs, regulations and codes in many states and countries, including the California Solar Initiative Thermal Program and the Federal Investment Tax Credit. The Federal Investment Tax Credit provides a significant, 30% tax credit for the costs of equipment and installation of many qualifying solar thermal technologies.

To download the Sferasol certification, click here. For more information about the ICC-SRCC certification program, visit www.solar-rating.org.

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About ICC-SRCC

The Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC) is a program of the ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), a member of the ICC Family of Companies. ICC-SRCC provides authoritative performance ratings, certifications and standards for renewable energy products.

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.

About Sferasol

Sferasol Energy has been in the solar thermal business for over 15 years. Our products are innovative, and we believe unique and revolutionary. We match energy efficiency to aesthetics; energy savings to design; all combined in an unmistakable thermal collector. The spherical form recalls the shape of our planet, with a constant exposure to the sun throughout the day and all year long.