News

 

It has already been a year since the International Code Council held Final Action Hearings in Minneapolis, MN, where thousands of professionals and interested parties from across the country debated proposed changes to the family of model International Codes (I-Codes). When the discussions ended, Code Council governmental members – fire and building officials along with representatives from agencies, departments, and other units engaged in administration, formulation or enforcement of laws, regulations, or ordinances relating to public health, safety, and welfare – cast the final votes on the proposed changes. Many Council members from New York State participated in the governmental consensus process to help produce the best possible model building and fire codes that work in unison to ensure public and emergency responders’ safety in the built environment.

 

The fire service is keenly aware of a significant change in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) that will require approved residential fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family residences beginning January 1, 2011, and in all new townhomes when the code is adopted. While that change is getting a lot of attention, there were many other changes approved at those Final Action Hearings that impacted first responders. The changes include emergency responder in-building radio communications; clarification of building evacuation planning for fires versus building lock-down plans for intruder-security emergencies; new requirements for crowd managers; and requirements for upholstered furniture and mattress in college dormitories, to name just a few of the many new code requirements that affect firefighter safety.

 

 

The model building code process is dynamic, with continuous updating required to incorporate the latest technology for building materials and construction methods, best practices, and the latest information on fire protection system operation and performance, while balancing cost with minimum acceptable levels of safety. The Code Council model code process for the 2012 editions of the I-Codes already is underway. The initial code development hearings, October 24–31 and November 4–11, will be in Baltimore, MD. The Council’s Annual Conference, November 1–4, will be held midway through the Code Development Hearings. Active participation in the Conference and the hearings by every professional responsible for public safety in the built environment is encouraged, including the fire service. Hearing and Conference information is available at www.iccsafe.org/news/annual.

 

 

Following the Final Action Hearings in Minneapolis, the Council addressed challenges to two approved code changes. Requirements for sprinklers and carbon monoxide alarms stayed among building safety requirements in the 2009 IRC when the Code Council Board of Directors voted to unanimously approve recommendations made by its four-person Appeals Board regarding final action hearing votes. The Board also made changes to ICC Policy concerning voting procedures at code hearings and drafted a bylaw change proposal for membership to consider at the Annual Business Meeting. You can read about the proposed change, in which the definition for Governmental Membership is modified, on the ICC web site at www.iccsafe.org/news/about/BylawChanges.html.

 

The voting policy change and proposed bylaw change are intended to ensure that the governmental membership voting on code change proposals is truly those municipal building and fire officials that have no special interest other than public safety and sustainability. That role is a core component to the Council’s mission and cornerstone of the governmental consensus process. These changes do not specifically exclude the volunteer fire service or the participation of volunteer fire service members with code administration duties who meet the definition of governmental members.

 

The upcoming code development cycle will include many fire and building code proposals that will impact both public and first responder safety in the built environment. As a fire service member, you don’t need to be an expert in all the codes to share your knowledge and experience about how a code change proposal will either improve or reduce safety in fire situations. If the fire service doesn’t participate in the model code process, the testimony about fire-related impacts will go unspoken. Participation in the code development process may be the greatest opportunity for any one person to have a long lasting impact on reducing fire-related injury or death for all the states and countries that adopt and administer the model I-Codes.

 

 

The other significant news from the International Code Council is the re-introduction of the Community Building Code Administration Grant in the 110th Congress with bipartisan support. This is a federal grant program to assist communities across the country as they adopt and administer construction safety codes that protect property and the public. The House passed a similar measure in the last legislative session, but the measure derailed as Congress turned its attention to battling the economic crisis.

 

“The aim of the program is to provide desperately needed resources to many vulnerable communities that do not have the trained personnel or tools to translate safety codes into compliance,” said International Code Council CEO Richard P. Weiland. “In too many communities, there simply aren’t enough resources for building safety. This legislation will provide the needed resources.”

 

 

The Code Council has been working across the country to enhance the public awareness of the role of America’s building and fire code officials. These dedicated professionals are at work daily but are not always as visible or publicly recognized and appreciated as other public safety officials. We need your help. Please write to your Representatives and Senators requesting their support for the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act (H.R. 2246 and S. 970). For more information, please visit: www.iccsafe.org/government/congressional/code-grant

 

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention, and sustainable construction, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties, and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.

 

The ICC is your association and the model codes are the greatest tool for protecting your community and fellow emergency responders from natural or other events effecting the built environment. Please get involved and stay engaged to ensure the fire service voice is heard. If you have questions about the Code Council or the model I-Codes, please contact Bruce E. Johnson, BEJohnson@icsafe.org.