CALL FOR NOMINATIONS SAYS THE DEADLINE IS APRIL 1 FOR 2020 CODE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL AWARDS

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their exemplary dedication? Nominations are being accepted for ICC Awards to honor individuals and organizations for their service to ICC and the building safety industry. The awards will be presented at various events, including but not limited to the 2020 Code Council Annual Conference in St. Louis. To nominate someone for a Code Council Award, complete and email the form attached here to Karla Price Higgs, Vice President, Member Services, at  Awards@iccsafe.org. The deadline to submit nominations for this year’s ICC Awards is April 1, 2020

2020 Building Safety Month’s weekly themes illustrate the reach and importance of the building codes

While the primary theme of the 40th annual Building Safety Month, “Safer Buildings, Safer Communities, Safer World,” illustrates the broad appeal of the occasion, it’s the weekly themes that break down the wide variety of safety, economic and societal benefits communities enjoy by keeping their building codes updated with the latest model codes. The weekly themes are:

COUNTDOWN TO 2020 BSM: Do-it-yourself proclamation guide offers opportunities to celebrate

Building Safety Month can start now with your Building Safety Month Proclamation Guide, a do-it- yourself kit online on the ICC website. The instructions, the language for the 2020 BSM Proclamations, suggestions for signing events, how to send your proclamation in and other ideas are in one spot to help you along. Who should sign the 2020 BSM Proclamation? Your city council and mayor. Your county commission chair. Your City Building Official on behalf of your department. Your Chamber of Commerce. Important stake holders in your community’s and state’s built environment. Building Safety Month is your profession’s opportunity to shine. The work you do everyday is designed to protect lives and property and to make communities stronger economically, more attractive and resilient. Share the spotlight with events and educational handouts. For more information about the campaign,

visit www.buildingsafetymonth.org. Follow along on social media using the hashtag #BuildingSafety365.

Upcoming from the ICC Learning Center: Institutes, training, seminars, webinars, etc.

Online learning is available from the ICC Learning Center. Find course listings you’d like to attend in the Learning Center using the Search function. Single-day training events are an opportunity to focus on topics to ensure your code knowledge stays up to date, with some seminars offering a Virtual Classroom option so you can participate in the event from any location with an internet connection:

Got Pulse? NTA leader explains NTA’s offerings in the ICC family of solutions in Episode #25

In this episode, ICC-ES President Shahin Moinian and NTA President and CEO David Tompos share excitement for the expanded offerings that have come with the acquisition of NTA.  Click here to listen.

Code Council’s Technical Training Program continues to thrive, bringing code basics to students

The Code Council’s High School Technical Training Program (HSTTP) started in 2008 to introduce high school students to building codes and the field of building safety. Since its inception, the program has been implemented in more than 20 states, with over 60 participating schools providing certificates to more than 1,500 students. Over the past year, the Code Council updated the HSTTP website, adding new resources and electronic forms to improve the experience for students and instructors. The Code Council has also showcased participating high school groups at its Annual Conference for the last two years. The Technical Training Program continues to expand throughout the country among high schools, colleges, adult programs and military support organizations. For more, click here.

The 2021 International Plumbing Code and International Mechanical Code make an early debut

The Code Council recently announced the release of its 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and International Mechanical Code (IMC). Building codes play a significant role in maintaining safe and healthy communities – permitting more resilient, sustainable and livable structures for generations to come. The IPC and IMC are revised on a three-year cycle through the Code Council’s highly respected consensus code development process that draws upon the expertise of hundreds of plumbing, mechanical, building and safety experts from across North America. With updates every three years, building codes allow for ongoing consideration of new technologies and scientific understandings. “It’s critical for our codes to adapt to new building practices, technologies and societal needs. Our 2021 IPC and IMC take these needs into consideration and aim to promote safety above all else,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “Construction is ever-evolving, and how we prepare trades professionals matters more now than ever.” Click here for more information. “The Economic Impact of the International Plumbing Code,” a study by Hatch and Henderson Engineers that provides a comparative analysis of model plumbing codes, is available by clicking here.

Code Council names Joan O’Neil as the ICC Chief Knowledge Officer to enhance digital transformation

Joan O’Neil was recently named the Code Council’s new Chief Knowledge Officer, a role which will help the Code Council enhance its digital transformation by creating an enterprise-wide digital strategy for products and services. O’Neil brings extensive experience in leading professional learning and Educational Technology (EdTech) Solution businesses. Previously, she served as Vice President of Skillsoft Corporation, an eLearning provider that delivers professional development to organizations. Prior to that, she was an Executive Vice President for Wiley, where she developed strategies to lead the organization’s digital learning and publishing enterprise. As an objective set by the Code Council’s Vision 2025 Strategic Plan, the association is focused on increasing value for its members and the building safety community by providing leading solutions that members and customers may access from any digital device.  In her role as Chief Knowledge Officer, O’Neil will be responsible for strategy, planning, and development of the association’s knowledge infrastructure and products that meet the needs of Code Council members and customers. Read more here.

Alliance for National & Community Resilience updates website to ease access to resiliency resources

The Alliance for National & Community Resilience (ANCR) updated its website to make it easier to access resiliency resources and learn about ANCR and its mission. Highlights of the new website include access to the Buildings and Housing Benchmarks; updates on ANCR activities; access to reports, studies and guidance from ANCR and partner organizations; and information on how to support ANCR and the Community Resilience Benchmarks System through financial contributions, technical support or as an ANCR Pilot Community.

Code Council assists more states as Louisiana gets HUD approval for $1.2 billion flood mitigation plan

Other states are watching as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approves Louisiana’s action plan for spending $1.2 billion in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds, allowing the state to move forward with a plan aiming to reduce flood risk for Baton Rouge and other cities. The plan outlines the state’s approach to funding mitigation projects, data collection, watershed modeling and policy measures that align with the long-term resilience objective of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. Consistent with support the Code Council provided in comments to the then Draft Action Plan, the approved plan provides (1) $24 million for watershed planning that can be used to support the adoption and implementation of modernized codes and (2) more than $570 million for local and regional watershed programs, which can support code enforcement activities, training, and certification in building methods. The state expects the funding to become available in spring 2020 and is prepared to begin using these funds as soon as they are available to make significant investments in low-risk, high-impact projects to reduce flood risk throughout the state. Currently, California, Georgia and Missouri have open comment periods and ICC members are encouraged to participate in public comments and hearings on state CDBG-MIT plans. This is significant funding that can be used for code adoption and updating and for staffing and training if states choose to prioritize those activities for funding. The Code Council will work closely with state chapters and partners to leverage these resources for needed adoption, enforcement, certification, and training activities in the state. Read more.