Category: Coronavirus Response Center

CRC – Latest News

Latest News and Resources

Code Council
National
Affiliate Partner Resources for COVID-19
Additional Resources

 

CRC – Online Testing

Online Testing

As the country continues to respond to COVID-19, the Code Council remains dedicated to upholding our commitment by helping building safety professionals like you navigate through the developing crisis.

Stay updated on this webpage as we continue to provide flexible solutions to help you navigate your certification and career journey.

Many of the Code Council's national certification exams are available online via PRONTO.

CRC – Virtual Permitting

Virtual Permitting Software

If you are looking to switch to virtual permitting and inspections, we can help you. The Code Council offers a highly configurable web-based software solution for building and code enforcement officials called Municity. This software includes permitting, inspection management, mobile inspection, and public access to the permitting and scheduling process. Find out more.

CRC – Online Training

Online Training

Most code officials must complete continuing educational credits (CEUs) to maintain their certifications or satisfy state or local requirements. With many in-person classes being canceled and many departments imposing travel restrictions, officials may wish to consider online classes. We have resources to help you navigate exams, renewal date deadlines and CEUs during this challenging time. View our training options online, and see our catalog of online courses.

We’ve selected courses from across our catalog that any individual, member or not, can take at no cost. These free courses will count towards CEUs for future renewals.

CRC – Plan Review

Plan Review

If you need extra support during this time, the Code Council offers online plan review as well as services including progress tracking, digital reports, online payments, automated notifications, and a customer dashboard. Additionally, the Code Council offers consulting on the technical aspects of the International Codes or other related code issues.

Our professional staff is available to provide necessary technical expertise and plan review in the building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy conservation, accessibility, and fire protection disciplines.

For more information, please contact Michael W. Giachetti, mgiachetti@iccsafe.org, 888-422-7233 x 4337.

CRC – Digital Codes

Digital Codes

ICC Digital Codes

Free-to-view online versions of the International Codes and additional materials are available through Digital Codes Basic. In addition, the Code Council offers a premium subscription service, Digital Codes Premium, for those looking for more enhanced features.

Learn how ICC Digital Codes can help you access electronic versions of the codes with these free webinars.

CRC – Advocacy Resources

Coronavirus Advocacy Resources

Data from a recent survey by the International Code Council shows that although deemed essential, many code departments around the U.S. do not have all the tools and systems in place to work virtually.

Code compliance is a necessary element in the building and construction space. Without the resources to assess needed codes and standards and conduct operations virtually, departments—and the building, fire, plumbing, and mechanical officials and inspectors that comprise them—do not possess the capability to provide essential functions, like overseeing the safe construction of temporary structures to provide medical capacity and ensuring the maintenance of hospital ventilation disinfection systems. Virtual capability needs have also created challenges for ongoing construction and the construction we’ll need in the future that will help drive our economic recovery.

As a member of the building industry, we urge you to join us in advocating for funding for code departments to ensure our buildings are built in a safe, timely, and efficient manner during the age of virtual work and COVID-19. Please check out these advocacy resources:

CARES Act Federal Funding for Code Departments through State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments

We encourage you to connect with the ICC Government Relations staff liaison for your area to coordinate your advocacy. Click here to go to the map below. 

Assistance through the Trump Administration and Congress

On May 1, 2020, the Code Council led letters to congressional leadership, FEMA, and the National Security Council (NSC) encouraging they direct additional federal resources to help code departments develop virtual capabilities. More than 50 organizations and businesses supported these efforts, representing state and local government, residential and commercial contractor, building owners/manager, manufacturer, insurance, housing, energy efficiency, renewable energy, engineering, design, and resilience interests:

We encourage you to connect with ICC's Washington D.C. Governmental Affairs Office to coordinate your advocacy on federal issues.

Contact Your Regional Government Relations Staff Liaison

Click on a state or territory on the map below to contact your state Government Relations staff liaison.

GR Contact Map

Coronavirus Response Advocacy Placeholder
Coronavirus Response Advocacy

CRC – Free Webinars

Free Webinars

to Help You Navigate the Pandemic

Using Federal CARES Act Funds: A Panel of Code Officials’ Success Stories (August 2020)
Length:  60 minutes
Code officials across the country have successfully secured federal CARES Act funds to protect and support their departments and communities through hardware, as well as virtual and digital solutions. This session will outline the opportunity for federal funding, and feature code officials from four municipalities who will discuss the steps they went through to receive funds, the solutions they’ve sought and why, and their advice on navigating the process.
CEUs not available
Click here to access webinar playback.
Download a PDF of the webinar slides here.

 

Use CARES Act Funds to Purchase Essential Digital Solutions (July 2020)
Length: 45 minutes
The critical Digital Solutions that your organization needs are an eligible expense for CARES Act funds. The Code Council’s family of solutions offers several tools that improve telework capabilities and enable the remote function of government. Join this webinar to learn how these tools will make your organization resilient. CEUs not available.
Click here to register to access webinar playback.

2020 Building Safety Month Virtual Events Series (May 2020)

Due to COVID-19, the Code Council canceled all scheduled in-person Building Safety Month events for 2020. In lieu of celebrating together in person, we’ve developed a set of free, virtual events to be held throughout the month of May. Join us and our partners to discuss topics related to building safety, building codes and code compliance.

WEEK 1: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Disaster Preparedness, Building Codes and America’s Response to COVID-19

Length: 90 minutes; CEUs: 0.15

Click here to access the webinar playback

 

WEEK 3: RESILIENCY. SUSTAINABILITY. INNOVATION.
Sponsor: NAHB

Panel Discussion about the Effects of COVID-19 on the Building Safety Industry
Speakers: Colin Herren, Ryan Taylor, Travis Parsons & Garret Whitescarver

Code Council Host: Sara Yerkes
Length: 60 minutes; CEUs: 0.1
Date: May 20, 1:00–2:00 pm ET

Panelists will discuss how COVID-19 has affected each of their segments of the building safety industry in the short-term and what long-term effects they expect. Speakers will discuss how the industry is already going virtual and what’s left to do. How has COVID-19 helped us to prepare for the next crisis?

Code Officials Roundtable Webinar Series: Responding to COVID-19 webinars (April 2020)

These webinars are free and CEU credit is offered. The original Code Officials Roundtable webinars were offered live on Wednesdays in April 2020 and are now available for replay.

The Code Council Learning Center
“Maintaining Building Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic”

These webinars are free and CEU credit is offered. The original webinars were offered live in April and are now available for replay.

April 9
Moving to Remote Permitting and Plan Review
Sign in for the free webinar course replay

April 13
Options for Virtual and Remote Inspections
Sign in for the free webinar course replay

April 17
Online Access to Codes and Standards
Sign in for the free webinar course replay

April 20
Certifications and Training Update
Sign in for the free webinar course replay

ICC Digital Codes Library Webinar Series

View Playlist

CRC – Survey

Surveys and Results

The Code Council remains committed to assisting code departments as they navigate and overcome the challenges facing them during the pandemic. To that end, we have prepared and conducted two surveys to determine how departments have responded in the interim. What virtual needs still exist? What strategies have worked best? What additional resources could help? These survey results inform our efforts to identify best practices and advocate for needed resources.

Follow Up Survey

The Code Council conducted a follow up survey of building and fire prevention departments from August 11 through September 3, 2020 with more than 800 respondents from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.  Respondents came from states as well as local jurisdictions that range in size from 700 people to 4 million.  Read about the results of the Follow Up Survey here.

April Survey

The International Code Council surveyed how building and public safety communities are adapting to the unique challenges the coronavirus pandemic presents. Thank you to those who shared your experiences. Read our initial snapshot survey findings published on April 2, 2020.

Click on image below to download an infographic summarizing these results.

On July 1, we published a report,"Building Safety and COVID-19: Analysis of Code Compliance in the United States During the Pandemic," an in-depth analysis and findings based on the final results of our March - April survey.

Document Series

A "Maintaining Building Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic" document series has been written to outline important considerations and a set of potential solutions for code departments related to permitting, plan review, inspections and the codes.

Case Studies

Here are examples of Code Council chapters tracking department statuses in their area.

CRC – Going Virtual

Going Virtual

Electronic Permitting and Remote Virtual Inspections

The Code Council offers Municity 5, a cloud-based software solution built for the rapidly changing technological landscape. Whether it be from the office, the field, or remote, you have access to all your Code Enforcement and Community Developmental needs.

As a premier multi-departmental solution, Municity 5 allows you to manage permits, inspections, plan review and more, including options for engaging your digital citizen through the Municity Connect online portal.

Join us for our next biweekly Municity 5 Overview webinar: Register Now

Contact Dan Foster, dfoster@iccsafe.org, (855) 436-2633 for more information.

Enable a Virtual Work Environment with Laserfiche

Transform the way your organization functions with digitized records and a virtual work environment. Enable employees, citizens, and customers to conduct business from anywhere. Streamline and automate processes to route work, requests, and notifications. Integrate all your systems together.

Watch a Laserfiche 101 on-demand webinar: Access it now

Contact Dan Foster, dfoster@iccsafe.org, (855) 436-2633 for more information.

Telework with ICC Digital Codes

With many departments working remotely it may not be possible to share hard copy reference materials. Digital codes can be accessed from anywhere. Free-to-view online versions of the International Codes and additional materials are available through the ICC Digital Codes Basic.

Simplify your code research with Digital Codes Premium. Subscribing to Digital Codes Premium gives you more tools to collaborate with your team and engage with the codes on an interactive level. Add your notes and amendments to the content, search across full book content, access premium bonus content, and more.

Go Beyond the Codes: Join us for our next biweekly ICC Digital Codes webinar: Register Now

For more information, Contact Dan Janousek, djanousek@ICCSafe.ORG, (888) 422-7233 ext. 4353

Moving Permitting and Plan Review Online? Here’s What to Consider

View the document – “Considerations for Moving Permitting and Plan Review Online”

Attend the free webinar – ''Moving Permitting and Plan Review Online"

Start your Remote Virtual Inspections (RVI) Program with These Guidelines

Read the ICC publication - Recommended Practices for Remote Virtual Inspection

View the document – “Considerations for Virtual and Remote Inspections”

Attend the free webinar – “Options for Virtual and Remote Inspections"

Here’s what some jurisdictions are doing to implement remote virtual inspections: