Month: July 2024

Awardees Announced for U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Grant Program to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning  

Washington D.C. – Awardees have been announced for the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program (COPPGP) began by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the wake of the tragic deaths of Minnesota brothers Nicholas and Zachary Burt, who lost their lives to a faulty home heater in 1996. 

The grant awards funding to state, tribal and territorial governments that adopt recent editions of building safety codes—including the International Fire Code® and the International Residential Code®—that require CO poisoning prevention measures. The International Code Council joined construction industry associations and national fire and life safety organizations in support of the legislation’s passage and ensured that the legislation supported communities that have adopted the International Codes®. 

The COPPGP grant is part of the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act which was signed into law in 2022. The grant program provides funding to eligible jurisdictions to purchase and install CO alarms in residential homes and facilities such as childcare centers, public schools and senior centers. The grant also funds training and public programs to educate on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized. More than $3 million in grants was awarded to 22 state and local governments. Learn more and view the full list of awardees here.  

### 

About the International Code Council 
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide. 

John “JC” Hudgison Appointed to International Code Council Board of Directors

Washington D.C. – The International Code Council has appointed John “JC” Hudgison, CBO, Construction Services Center Manager and Chief Building Official for the City of Tampa, Florida, to its 2023-2024 Board of Directors. Appointed by Code Council Board President Stuart D. Tom, P.E., CBO, FIAE and ratified by the full Board, Hudgison assumed the vacated Section F seat on July 22, 2024.

Hudgison brings over 17 years of experience in architecture, construction management and building code enforcement to the Board. He is both a Certified Building Official and a Building Code Administrator and is actively involved with the Code Council, including leadership positions in multiple important committees and councils. Hudgison was the 2023 recipient of the Code Council’s prestigious Emory R. Rodgers Leadership in Building Safety Fellowship, and he also currently serves on the National Institute of Building Sciences’ Board of Directors.

“JC’s leadership on pivotal committees within the Code Council makes him an ideal addition to our Board of Directors,” said President Tom. “With his extensive industry knowledge and years of experience, I am confident he will provide valuable insight and guidance to our organization.”

Read more about the International Code Council Board of Directors and its mission here.

###

About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

Protect Safety Codes by Supporting Advancement of the Pro Codes Act 

Protect Safety Codes by Supporting Advancement of the Pro Codes Act

The Pro Codes Act, which ensures non-profit standards developers can continue to fund the development and updating of safety codes, will be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives as soon as this Monday, July 22, 2024. The Code Council asks that you join us and a broad coalition of building and fire safety organizations by clicking HERE by July 22nd to ask your Member of Congress to support this important legislation.  

America's codes and standards, which ensure public health and safety, are developed by non-profit organizations like the International Code Council (at no cost to taxpayers) through a rigorous, resource-intensive, and consensus-based process. We fund our code development and updating of these codes through selling digital and printed formats, made possible by copyright protection. Our homes, workplaces, schools, and hospitals are safer, more sustainable, and more resilient thanks to the work of our members and these continuously improved codes and standards. 

To protect this process and prevent unauthorized and erroneous copies of the codes from being published, we’ve worked with a coalition of standards developing organizations and a bipartisan group of lawmakers to draft and advance the Pro Codes Act. 

Following overwhelming support this spring in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee (19 supporting to 4 opposing), the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider Pro Codes as soon as this Monday, July 22, 2024. Please consider adding your voice to this effort by filling out this form, asking your Members of Congress to support it. 

International Code Council Selected for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant to Advance Environmental Product Declarations

Washington, D.C.– The International Code Council has been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to receive $3.5 million through the Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Construction Materials and Products grant.

ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) will use this grant funding to generate Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in partnership with the states of Washington and Oregon. An EPD provides increased transparency regarding the environmental impacts of products using established international standards. Architects, engineers, general contractors, specifiers and other users can then make appropriate, informed product selections. Learn more about EPDs here.

“EPDs are an important mechanism for reducing the climate impacts of buildings and aid designers, contractors and code officials in determining which building materials are the most sustainable,” said Code Council Vice President of Innovation Ryan Colker. “We commend the EPA for realizing the value of EPDs and look forward to working with manufacturers throughout the Pacific Northwest to expand their availability.”

Through the Pacific Northwest (PNW) EPD Partnership, the project focuses on developing facility-specific EPDs for concrete, asphalt, steel, wood and emerging products such as salvage wood and roofing. This partnership will take a collaborative approach to significantly improve the availability and quality of facility-specific, third-party verified EPD’s for building products and materials made and used in Oregon, Washington and the greater PNW region. This project intends to provide more than 200 manufacturers in the PNW with free support to develop more than 1,000 new EPDs.


In addition to providing free EPD verification, the project includes a three-pronged approach to expand EPD availability and use: training on materials, developing a structural wood EPD tool and providing technical support for emerging products to develop and verify EPDs. This project will also have an education, outreach and technical assistance component, primarily focused on businesses producing building materials.

“Low-carbon construction strategies are an important part of our work to decarbonize buildings and support the transition to a clean energy future,” said Assistant Director of the Washington State Commerce Energy Division Michael Furze. “This funding will help us implement Washington’s Buy Clean and Buy Fair policy and encourage the development of regional partnerships that advance the transition to low-carbon construction.”

“This funding will bring expertise and tools to support hundreds of construction material manufacturers serving our region to assess and disclose – and ultimately, reduce – the environmental impacts of their products,” said Built Environment Specialist with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Rita Haberman. “This will strengthen work Oregon DEQ and our partners have been doing to bolster the development of EPDs for nearly a decade.”

###

About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

Protected: Tribal Codes

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Guideline 8

ICC Guide 8 (G8)

Professional Qualifications for Hydrogen Systems in the Built Environment

The Code Council and Center for Hydrogen Safety have opened a new project to develop Guide 8, Professional Qualifications for Hydrogen Systems in the Built Environment.  This new guide will establish minimum qualification requirements for professionals involved with hydrogen systems in the built environment. The guide is intended to align with candidate and existing ANSI standards and cover all aspects of hydrogen production and distribution systems within buildings, including piping, appliances, equipment, and components, for heating and energy purposes. When completed, the guide will provide qualification requirements for  the following professions:

  • Design Professionals and Engineers
  • Plans Examiners
  • Installers
  • Inspectors
  • Auditors
  • Maintenance Personnel
  • Trainers/Instructors

ICC Codes & Standards Home | Committee List

Committee Overview

STATUS
Active

MEETING INFO
G8 Meeting Notices

MEMBERSHIP
G8 Roster

DOCUMENTS
G8 Documents

SECRETARIAT
Ramiro Mata, Secretariat

Committee News
Committee News
2024.08.01 | G08 Committee Applications Open

The G08 committee call for committee applications is open.

Apply
Published Editions
FAQs

2027 IECC Commercial and Residential Scope and Intent Draft for Public Comment

The International Code Council Board of Directors has developed a draft scope and intent for the 2027 International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC®) based on feedback from the 2024 IECC appeals process. Accompanying this draft is a commentary provided by the Board of Directors on the revisions made to the scope and intent. The draft scope and commentary can be found at this link.  This draft will be open for public comment until Monday, August 19, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Public comment will be accepted through the following form. Following review and consideration of the public comments, the Board of Directors will then set the final scope and intent statements for the 2027 IECC.

We are now accepting applications for IECC Consensus Committee membership for the 2027 code development cycle. The application can be accessed through the following link. Applications will be accepted until Monday, August 19, 2024, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applications for subcommittee voting members will be open in the coming months.

This collective effort is vital in maintaining the trust and integrity foundational to our shared commitment to building safety and compliance.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in these efforts. Together, we can overcome this challenge and continue to ensure the highest standards of safety and integrity in building practices.

International Code Council Welcomes John Belcik as Next Chief Executive Officer

Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council is pleased to announce that its next Chief Executive Officer is John Belcik effective January 1, 2025. Belcik has been with the Code Council for 15 years and has extensive experience in strategic planning, operations, and financial management. Belcik will succeed Dominic Sims, CBO, who has served as the Code Council’s CEO since 2012.

“We are extremely excited to share this news. John’s thorough knowledge of the Code Council, understanding of member expectations, and personal contributions to ICC’s organizational evolution make him an ideal leader. The Search Committee reviewed applications from more than 100 candidates and spent a considerable amount of time making this very important decision,” said Stuart D. Tom, P.E., CBO, FIAE, President of the Code Council Board of Directors. “I want to thank all the members of the committee for their time and effort as well as the full Board of Directors for selecting our next Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, I thank Dominic for his help and support throughout the search process.”

Belcik has served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the Code Council since 2009. Prior to his work with ICC, Belcik served as CFO for the Chicago Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. Previously, he was also a member of the management team at Wilson Sporting Goods for twenty years, serving in various roles of increasing responsibility culminating in his position as Vice President of Finance.

“The Code Council means so much to me personally and professionally. After two decades at ICC and 12 years as its CEO, I am happy to be leaving this impactful organization in such capable hands,” shared Dominic Sims, CBO, CEO of the Code Council. “I’ll be working closely with John to ensure a smooth transition for the members, customers, and staff.”

“I am thrilled to accept this position and look forward to continuing ICC’s building safety mission. I know firsthand the hard work of its members, the Board of Directors, and staff and am confident that the organization has a bright future ahead,” said Belcik.

As CEO, Belcik will oversee the Code Council, an organization with more than 700 staff and eight subsidiaries active in more than 100 countries. The Code Council family of solutions provides a wide range of building safety solutions, including product evaluation, accreditation, technology, training, and certification.

###

About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

DOE IRA Energy Code Funding

Advancing Energy Efficiency Through DOE IRA

Energy Code Funding

The Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to advancing building energy efficiency and resilience through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. This landmark legislation allocates significant funding to support the adoption and implementation of the latest model energy codes, zero energy codes and other innovative building energy standards.

This webpage provides comprehensive information on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy code funding made available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, outlining funding opportunities, key components, eligibility, and how to apply. Learn more about the benefits of adopting advanced energy codes here.

IRA_ICC_fact_sheet

Click here for IRA fact sheet pdf.

Purpose of the Funding

The IRA Energy Code Funding aims to assist state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments in adopting and implementing the latest building energy codes. By advancing these standards, the program seeks to reduce utility bills, increase building efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing to long-term environmental sustainability and energy resilience.

Funding Amount

Up to $1 billion in funding is available for eligible recipients, divided into two main categories:

Formula funding
for States and Territories

Funding amounts have been established for eligible applicants, which support building energy code adoption and implementation, including support for multi-cycle adoption, building performance standards (BPS), and capacity building for workforce training.

Competitive funding
for States, Territories and certain localities

In addition to formula funding, DOE provides competitive funding opportunities to advance the above objectives.

$
  Million

for the adoption and implementation of zero energy building codes or equivalent standards

$
  Million

for the adoption and implementation of the latest model energy codes, such as the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC) and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019

Key Components

Implementation Plans

Recipients must develop comprehensive implementation plans outlining strategies to achieve full compliance with the adopted energy codes. These plans should include capacity-building initiatives, workforce training and enforcement mechanisms.

Community Benefits

The program emphasizes the importance of community benefits, requiring recipients to submit plans that demonstrate how the funded activities will benefit local communities, including underserved and disadvantaged populations.

Eligible Recipients

State Governments

Local Governments*

Tribal Governments

U.S. Territories

* with the authority to adopt building energy codes

How to Apply

Letter of Intent (LOI) – Eligible states and territories must submit an LOI to reserve their funding. The deadline for LOI submission was January 31, 2024.

Full Application – Complete applications, including detailed implementation plans and budget justifications, must be submitted by September 30, 2025.

Concept Papers – When applying for competitive funding, concept papers (not to exceed two pages) must submit a full application

  • The first round of concept papers were due on February 9, 2024. Full applications for the first round were due on April 30, 2024.
  • The second round of concept papers were due on June 28, 2024. Full applications for the second round are due on September 13, 2024.

ICC Community Development Solutions Announces Integration with Avolve Software to Enhance Government Permitting Processes

Rochester, New York– ICC Community Development Solutions (ICC CDS) and Avolve Software announced an integration to provide public sector jurisdictions with a comprehensive, end-to-end ePermitting and plan review solution. This collaboration aims to streamline permitting processes, enhance efficiency and deliver exceptional service to government agencies throughout North America.

Avolve’s plan review software, DigEplan, is designed for government permitting, providing a fully integrated, easy-to-use electronic plan review solution that automates and streamlines permitting services with Municity.

The agreement between Avolve Software and ICC CDS addresses the increasing demand for efficient community development services. This integration eliminates redundant workflows and manual processes, significantly enhancing productivity and reducing complexity in permit issuance.

“We are thrilled to work with Avolve to bring their leading electronic plan review solution to more government agencies within our Municity Permitting and Code Enforcement program,” said Dan Foster, General Manager at ICC Community Development Solutions. “This relationship underscores our commitment to providing innovative, efficient and integrated solutions that meet the evolving needs of our public sector customers.”

“Our commitment to providing outstanding service to our customers is reflected in our partnership with ICC CDS Software,” shared Derek Porter, Chief Growth Officer at Avolve Software. “We are thrilled to integrate DigEplan with Municity and offer governments a powerful tool to improve community development services efficiently.”

ICC CDS and Avolve will provide an overview of this integration during a webinar taking place on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. ET. Register for the webinar here.

###

About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

About ICC Community Development Solutions

ICC Community Development Solutions (ICC CDS), a member of the International Code Council family of solutions, specializes in streamlining community development operations through innovative digital solutions. For more information, visit icc-cds.com.

About Avolve Software

Avolve Software is the global leader in electronic plan review software. Its leading solutions ProjectDox and DigEplan, automate and streamline the permitting process, removing the inefficiencies of paper or non-integrated plan review solutions. For more information, visit avolvesoftware.com.