There were many firsts during the 2003 inaugural conference and

2003
Codes
Forum
There were many firsts during the 2003
inaugural conference and business meeting
of the International Code Council
in Nashville, Tennessee. It was the first
meeting of ICC as a single organization,
members elected the first female
President of the ICC Board of Directors
and the organization presented its first
awards. The following is a recap of
Codes Forum 2003.
November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
13
2003 Codes Forum
Awards Ceremony
During the Opening Session of the Annual Conference, the Bobby
J. Fowler Award-the highest honor given by ICC-was presented to
former BOCA CEO Paul K. Heilstedt, whose leadership played a
vital role in the consolidation of the new organization. Said Awards
Committee chairman Tim Ryan, “His service and dedication to
this organization have helped lay the groundwork for the future,
and should serve as an inspiration to us all as we strive to achieve
the ultimate goal of providing a safer environment.”
Heilstedt served two terms each as president, vice president
and secretary/treasurer of ICC, and his 32-year association with
BOCA culminated with a successful term as its chief executive
officer. Heilstedt’s many distinguished career accomplishments
also extend beyond the realm of the model code groups into
areas such as research, testing, inspections, and, presently, consulting services. A registered fire protection and professional
engineer in several states, he has served in various capacities for
numerous associations and societies including the American
National Standards Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Fire Protection Association, National Institute of
Building Sciences, World Organization of Building Officials
and many others.
In accepting the award, Heilstedt paid tribute to the many
others who worked to make ICC’s consolidation a success. “To
all of us who tugged on that boat to get us afloat, I accept this
on their behalf.”
for the past 32 years and is greatly responsible for the adoption
and continued enforcement of model codes in the city. He began
his association with BOCA in 1979, was elected to three terms
as a director, and for the next 20-plus years served on numerous
committees ranging from building code development to training
and education.
Wismer is a past recipient of BOCA’s Walker S. Lee Award
and is currently serving as vice chairman of the International
Building Code Means of Egress Code Development Committee.
Described by many of his associates as being one of the most
ICC CEO James Lee Witt (center) with Affiliate Award recipient
Dave Collins (left) and Code Official of the Year Award recipient
David L. Wismer.
important code officials Philadelphia has ever known, Wismer’s
final acts before retiring this year were writing legislation and
testifying for the adoption of the 2003 I-Codes in the city.
“Since this is my last conference as an active official, this is
something special,” Wismer said. “It’s been a great ride.”
Paul K. Heilstedt (center) was presented the Bobby J. Fowler Award.
Also pictured are ICC President Paul Myers (left) and Board of
Directors and Awards Committee Chairman James T. Ryan (right).
ICC’s Code Official of the Year Award went to David L.
Wismer. A professional engineer and Certified Building Official, Wismer has been employed with the City of Philadelphia
14 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
Dave Collins, a longtime member of the American Institute of
Architects (AIA) and supporter of ICC and the I-Codes, was
presented the Affiliate Award at the Opening Session. In addition to an illustrious career with AIA, Collins has also been
extremely active with ICC and the legacy code groups over the
years by serving on numerous committees, working with state
code-related boards and organizations, and expressing positions
on hundreds of code changes.
Collins is certified as a Chief Building Official by ICC and is
a certified plans examiner in his home state. He has authored
numerous articles on the application of building codes and has
taught several seminars on the subject. In addition, he has
served as editor for a statewide newsletter focusing on building
code issues over the past 13 years.
The City of Asheville, North Carolina, was presented an
ICC Community Service Award.
Collins joined the Cincinnati, Ohio, AIA chapter in 1975. He
served as chapter president in 1987 and as the organization’s
statewide president in 1992. He has been a member of many
local and state AIA committees over the years and is a past
recipient of the AIA Ohio Gold Medal Award, the highest honor
an individual architect can receive from the state chapter. On the
national level, he is a long-standing member of the organization’s Codes and Standards Committee, serving as its chair in
1987. Collins served as AIA’s 1999-2000 National Secretary
and he is currently managing the AIA Code Advocacy program,
which is responsible for establishing and maintaining a presence
for the organization in the national code development arena.
Collins is also currently serving as president of The PREVIEW Group, an architectural firm specializing in building
regulatory issues.
“It’s an honor to be recognized like this; it’s quite a surprise,”
Collins said. “I’m thrilled to be here, I’m thrilled to be a part of
this and I’m thrilled to see so many people here.”
ICC Community Service Awards were presented to the City of
Asheville, North Carolina, which last year earned the distinction
of becoming the third jurisdiction in the U.S. to receive a Class
1 ISO rating for building code enforcement, and to Ron Hampton, who founded The Repair Affair project in Ashland, Kentucky. A third Community Service Award was also presented
during the Annual Business Meeting.
ICC President Paul Myers, noting the bylaws did not permit him to present individual honors to each member of the
Board of Directors, instead presented his President’s Award to
the entire governing body. Drawing from Heilstedt’s analogy of
“tugging on the boat,” Myers said the Board of Directors has
been “tugging on it for more than a decade. They are certainly
deserving—each and every one of them.”
U.S. Congressman Curt Weldon served as the keynote
speaker for the event. A former fire service member, he challenged all members of the building safety industry—the “Silent
Ron Hampton of Ashland, Kentucky, was presented an
ICC Community Service Award.
Defenders”—to
Nashville Mayor Bill
Purcell gave
a rousing welcome
on behalf of the city.
re-educate America on the role they
play. “Help us carry the message to the next level,” he said.
Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell also gave a rousing welcome
on behalf of the city.
Ending the Silence
(continued)
Members of the Nashville
Fire Department
presented the colors
and national anthem
during the Opening
Session.
November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
15
2003 Codes Forum
(continued)
‘Silent Defenders’ Must Re-Educate America
on the Roles They Play
Members of the code enforcement profession must re-educate
America on the important roles they play in protecting the
lives and property of this country.
That was the message of U.S. Congressman Curt Weldon
of Pennsylvania, who served as the keynote speaker for the
Opening Session of this year’s annual conference. Weldon, a
lifelong member of the fire safety community, urged code
officials to start a grassroots campaign to re-educate citizens,
particularly those who serve in elected office, on the importance of adopting and enforcing codes and standards in cities,
counties and states across America.
“You are our ‘Silent Defenders’ because you don’t get the
praise, you don’t get the limelight,” said Weldon. “But it’s
because of the development of codes and standards and the
enforcement of codes and standards oftentimes in a very
quiet, deliberate way that hundreds of thousands of lives have
been saved, that billions of dollars of property have been protected.”
“Because of your efforts, we’ve made tremendous progress
and have a record that we can stand on throughout the world,”
Weldon continued. “But I want to tell you folks, we’ve not
completed the job yet.”
Weldon recounted a fire at a federal office building during
his first term in Washington, D.C. The former fire chief and
mayor of his hometown was the first to detect the blaze in the
building, which houses numerous congressional offices, and
discovered during the frantic activities which followed that
fire extinguishers on his office floor were faulty and there
were no fire hoses in the hose station. Shortly thereafter, a
fellow Congress member encountered him on the stairway
exit and asked, “Which way do we go to get out of here?”
Once the blaze had been contained, Weldon asked the local
fire chief why there was no preplanning for the building. After
learning that the federal property was not subject to code
enforcement, the Congressman stated before national media,
“This building wouldn’t pass any fire code in America. How
in the world can we expect the private sector in America to
protect our lives and our people when we in the federal government don’t even set the standard?”
Following the incident, Weldon became one of the driving
forces behind the creation of a congressional fire caucus that
for the past 15 years has boasted the largest delegation of
elected officials. Through the efforts of the fire caucus, federal office buildings in Washington, D.C., are now subject to
code enforcement and millions of dollars in grants and other
programs have been made available in the nation’s fight to
save lives and property.
16 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
Weldon said such examples only strengthen
the need for code officials
to make their presence
known. “The members of
Congress had not been
made to understand why
codes are so important; it
wasn’t a personal thing to
them,” Weldon told the
audience. “We’ve got to
re-educate America, and
Congressman Weldon.
that requires all of you to
go back to your hometowns in your counties,
states and cities, and start a process to sensitize your elected
officials about what you do and about what codes are.”
Because of his service in the fire safety community and
involvement with the federal fire caucus, Weldon has witnessed the success of building codes in California earthquake
disasters, Florida hurricanes and the attacks on the World
Trade Center. “My perspective on codes is a very personal
one, and my perspective on the job you do is a very personal
one,” he said. “I’ve seen the impact that codes can have.”
Congressman Weldon went on to say that carrying this
message to other elected officials would have an enormous
impact on the future. “If we don’t understand and appreciate
what you do, and the importance of what you do for the lives
of our constituents, then you’re going to see us sometimes
make stupid decisions,” Weldon explained. “Or, see us not be
aware of the need to put into place effective codes and standards that you have taken a tremendous amount of time to
develop. Our task is an education task. Help us carry the message to the next level.”
With the war on terrorism and ongoing threats posed by
natural and man-made disasters, Weldon said that the need to
protect the lives and property of America’s citizens is greater
than ever before. “Our ‘Silent Defenders’ will lay the foundation
for that safety,” he said. “You can help us convey to our elected
officials that the first step in defending America is to have the
proper codes and standards enacted put into place and the staff
to enforce them.”
In conclusion, Weldon stated, “You can, you have and you
will continue to protect America.”
Witt: “We Will Not Fail”
CEO Serves as Keynote Speaker During
Conference Luncheon
Speaking on the subject of ICC’s continued mission to protect
the public’s safety around the globe, Chief Executive Officer
James Lee Witt confidently assured members assembled during
this year’s annual conference, “We will not fail.”
In the keynote speech he delivered during a September 8th
luncheon, Witt said that member involvement and a team concept are the most important factors in ICC’s achievement of its
long-term goals.
“The commitment and the enthusiasm that I have seen from
each of you and from the staff of ICC show me that we will not
fail,” Witt said. “Our changes will make us stronger as we
remain focused on our original mission, not only to develop and
promote the most effective, efficient set of building codes in the
world, but also to deliver services in new ways to make our
world a safer place.”
Witt emphasized that although the legacy code groups had
impeccable histories, the energies that made their success possible must now be channeled into the new organization. “The
ICC is well on its way, but we cannot let up, we cannot stop and
we have to come together as a team—it has to be a team effort,”
he said. “The histories of the past are the past. The future is what
we have to look for and look towards. If we do not do that
together, then we are shirking our roles and the responsibilities
of the positions that we’re in.”
Witt recalled his speech to legacy code group members during the 1999 Codes Forum conference in St. Louis, Missouri.
His message then was that Americans respond with two unique
qualities in times of disaster: compassion for those affected and
confidence that it will never happen to them. Unfortunately,
disasters continue to occur with little or no warning, often causing irreparable damage to the communities left in their wake. “It
only takes an instant—minutes—and everything people have
worked for all of their lives is gone,” Witt reminded members.
“Nine out of ten times it’s gone. And nine out of ten times people move or relocate, and it takes years for communities to
recover.”
Despite the destruction that Witt witnessed during his eight
years as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), he said there was proof in each instance—from
raging wildfires in California to the devastation of Hurricane
Andrew in South Florida—that strong building codes and standards are vital to protecting communities in times of disasters.
“If anybody says building codes and standards, and the enforcement of those codes and standards, don’t make a difference, then
they should just go look sometime,” he said. “Communities with
structures built according to
codes keep their structures for a
lifetime, even after disasters
occur.”
That, said Witt, is why ICC
must continue developing
strong codes and standards and
working to get its message out.
“Instead of allowing Americans
and citizens of other nations to
take their safety for granted,
CEO James Lee Witt.
we’re developing a unified
organization that earns everyone’s confidence.”
Echoing the sentiments expressed by U.S. Congressman Curt
Weldon during the Opening Session, Witt challenged members to
take the message to another level. “People need to know who you
are and what you do, and the important role that you have every
day.” Witt added that it was important for code and fire officials
to build relationships with members of the political arena whether
on a local, state or national level-because those representatives are
in positions to make decisions that would benefit public safety. “If
that’s politicking, then let’s politic,” he said.
In return, Witt promised a commitment to membership service from the unified organization, pledging better communications, more involvement on local levels and more consistent
services on an overall basis. “Our members deserve quality services from ICC,” Witt said, “and you’re going to get it.”
As the former owner of a construction company, Witt spoke
of the importance of building a good foundation, whether for a
physical structure or a unified organization, and thanked ICC’s
partners for their continued support in the development of the
International Codes and the ICC consolidation. “Without that
support and without that partnership, none of us could do what
we want to do and accomplish,” Witt said. “Their input is invaluable and it takes teamwork and partners to make it happen.”
Witt acknowledged that the consolidation process has presented many challenges over the past year, particularly for the
ICC Board of Directors and staff. “It truly hasn’t been easy for
them,” he said. “But I promise you this—and I promised them
when I met with each of the offices: that ICC’s going to be an
organization that’s going to be reckoned with. ICC’s going to be
an organization that you’re going to be proud of.”
As he did in St. Louis in 1999, Witt once again pledged his
full support to the organization and its goals and missions.
“What we’re doing now, and what you have started this past
year, is building the foundation for the future of our nation and
other countries around the world,” he said. “I am so proud to be
a part of this organization and to be able to work with our members and partners toward establishing the I-Codes as the standards for every community in America and beyond.”
(continued)
November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
17
2003 Codes Forum
(continued)
Pretenders in Paradise
This year’s Opening Event, “Pretenders in Paradise,” was
held in the Delta Island of the Opryland Hotel. The event
included a combination of glamour and glitz, humor and
satire, and an incredible array of creative genius and festive
energy.
The Delta Island section of the hotel consists of 4.5 acres
under a glass dome and includes theme shops, a general
store and plenty of restaurants. With its New Orleansthemed ambiance, Delta Island offered attendees a smorgasbord of food, music, dancing and flatboat rides on the Delta
River. There was also face painting, games with theme characters and lots of other fun activities for everyone to enjoy.
18 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
Annual Business Meeting: Zubia Elected to
Board; Mallory Receives Community Service
Award
Adolf A. Zubia, fire chief with the
City of Las Cruces, New Mexico,
was elected to an at-large position on
the ICC Board of Directors during
the Annual Business Meeting. Zubia,
a 17-year fire service veteran, is
responsible for management and
administration of the city’s fire and
emergency services, including the
Fire Marshal’s offices. He was instrumental in creating the New Mexico
Adolf Zubia was elected
Fire Marshals Association (NMFMA) to an at-large position
as an International Fire Code Insti- on the ICC Board of
tute (IFCI) chapter—now an ICC Directors.
chapter—and served as NMFMA
president for five years. He is also a
former instructor and current member of the Las Cruces Community College Fire Science Advisory
Committee, and has taught nationally for IFCI. He is active in
code development and is a certified fire code inspector.
Also during the business meeting, the third ICC Community
Service Award was presented to Jerry Mallory of Johnson
County, Kansas. Mallory was cited for his work with the county’s licensing program, which requires continuing education on
the I-Codes for licensing maintenance of more than 2,000 participants annually; for his instrumental role in Kansas’ Disaster
Rapid Assessment Program; and for his service as coordinator
of the state’s disaster program. Mallory is a member of the
FEMA/National Institute of Building Sciences joint committee
that is creating a building officials’ manual to interface with
emergency management.
Other highlights included Secretary/Treasurer Nick
D’Andrea’s presentation of the Treasurer’s Report, which was
approved by the membership. Several resolutions were also
approved, including one that thanked U.S. Congressman Curt
Weldon for his “encouragement of the ICC mission and personal
commitment to public safety.” In addition, a resolution commending the citizens of Tennessee and Nashville for their warm
greeting and hospitality was approved, as well as several others
in memoriam of members who passed away during the past
year.
Directors. Deputy COO Dominic Sims announced the approval of four new ICC chapters in recent months: the Monroe
County Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, Minnesota
Building Permit Technicians, the Wisconsin Fire Inspectors
Association, and the Colorado Association of Permit Technicians. The number of ICC chapters has now reached 280.
Since this is a transition year, ICC did not present a Chapter
of the Year award. Instead, the new ICC Chapter Awards Program was officially kicked off for 2004. The Chapter of the Year
and Merit Award winners will receive a special plaque, one
complimentary education benefit and one complimentary registration to next year’s Annual Conference. In addition, the names
of the winning chapter or chapters will be added to a perpetual
chapter awards plaque, which will be proudly displayed at ICC
Headquarters. For more details on this program, see the Chapter
Awards information section in this edition of Building Safety
Journal.
Sims also spoke of several new additions to the chapter benefits program. The annual complimentary education benefit has
been expanded to include two more options: a complimentary
Audio Virtual Seminar delivered in up to 10 different locations
or one complimentary ICC Campus Online course for up to 50
chapter members.
Sims also introduced two new opportunities for chapters to
cosponsor an ICC seminar. They are the “Host and Earn” and
“Collaborate and Save” programs. With the Host and Earn plan,
you tell us what you want and when and where you want it, and
your chapter will earn $15 for every registered participant. With
the Collaborate and Save plan, when chapters identify an ICC
seminar being offered in their area that at least 25 chapter members will attend, all chapter members will be entitled to a
reduced registration fee. Chapters are encouraged to explore
these money-saving opportunities to partner with ICC, earn
money for their chapters and offer significant savings to individual chapter members.
Myers and Vice President Anne vonWeller then presented
the new regions concept, a framework for improving communication and delivery of services to our members and chapters
while providing greater opportunity for participation and communication among chapters. Twelve regions representing the
U.S., Canada and other countries around the world were introduced. Concepts for regional participation were also discussed.
For more information about ICC Chapter Regions, contact your
service representative or e-mail [email protected].
Chapter Presidents Breakfast
Chapter Leader Workshop
Chapter presidents from around the country gathered to meet
and network with their peers during this year’s Chapter Presidents Breakfast.
The attendees were welcomed to the breakfast by ICC
President Paul Myers, CEO James Lee Witt and the Board of
Nearly 140 chapter leaders packed the first-ever ICC Chapter
Leader Workshop for a presentation entitled “Building Support
for the I-Codes: An Introduction to Grassroots Advocacy.”
ICC Chapter Programs and Relations Manager Laura Scott led
the workshop with help from guest presenters Senior Vice PresiNovember-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
19
2003 Codes Forum
dent of Government Relations Sara Yerkes, Director of National
Fire Service Activities Jim Tidwell, and Director of Resource
Centers Vaughn Wicker. The goal of the presentation was to
increase member involvement and improve members’ effectiveness in promoting the International Codes and code adoptions.
Attendees learned techniques for managing a grass-roots code
adoption campaign, and developed ideas and solutions to combat
opposition to I-Code adoption. Chapter leaders then formed
groups to identify potential obstacles to I-Codes adoption and
recommended possible solutions. Following are some examples.
Obstacle: Some constituents do not want to learn a new code.
Solution: Provide timely, informative and easily accessible
training.
Obstacle: Public officials offer little support for the I-Codes.
Solution: Education is the key. Conduct orientation sessions
on the codes and invite public officials to ride along
with inspectors.
Obstacle: Fear of the unknown or perception of overregulation is hindering adoption.
Solution: Educate the public by holding meetings with civic
organizations, churches, schools, etc. Other recommendations included the development of a task
force, using the media to promote codes, personalizing invitations and providing drafts of codes.
Obstacle: There is a general perception that increased cost
will be passed on to the home buyer.
Solution: Inform the public that building to code is less
expensive over the course of time (fewer repairs,
less damage during disaster, etc.), and any additional initial costs are far outweighed by the benefits of
increased safety.
Obstacle: The needs of special interest groups may be in conflict with general community needs.
Solution: Identify and educate special interest groups; invite
them to get involved, give them a sense of ownership by becoming part of the team.
Members can request a copy of the “Building Support for the
I-Codes” handout by sending an e-mail to chapters@iccsafe.
org. The ICC Code Adoption tool kit is also available on-line at
www.iccsafe.org.
The two-day Legislative Forum’s theme was “You CAN
Make a Difference.” Topics included challenges on a national
level, code adoption methods, the power of grassroots advocacy
and allies and coalitions, and the power of fire and building
officials working together. ICC staff demonstrated the importance of member involvement in the legislative and regulatory
process. Members were also presented tools that can help them
become effective advocates for building safety on local, state
and federal levels of government.
20 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
Rick Okawa addresses attendees of
the International
Forum.
James Lee Witt accepts the Yaman Uzumari
International Award of Excellence, presented by the Ontario Building Officials
Association of Canada.
C.P. Ramani and Dr. Llewellyn Richards sign a Mutual Recognition
Arrangement between the International Accreditation Service, Inc.,
and New Zealand.
MOU signing
between ICC and
the Consortium
of European
Building Control:
(left to right) Paul
Myers, James Lee
Witt and Paul
Everall.
Forums Educate Attendees on Importance of
International and Legislative Activities
Two forums were held to educate members on the importance
of ICC’s international and legislative agendas and how member
support and involvement can help the organization achieve its
ICC-ES President John Nosse and President of The Building Center of Japan, Makoto Tateishi, sign a MOU.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing between ICC and
Egypt’s Housing and Building Research Center: (left to right) James
Lee Witt, Paul Myers, Professor Omaima Sallah El-Din and Professor Ayman Mosallam.
Adolf A. Zubia moderating the 2003 International Forum.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology standards and trade workshop on Building Codes and
Standards for the Americas.
long-term goals.
The theme of the two-day International Forum was “Building
a Safer World.” The forum provided conference attendees an
opportunity to communicate and network with international colleagues and learn how other countries address specific issues on
building safety.
Education Program
ICC technical staff and industry professionals presented educa-
November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
21
2003 Codes Forum
tional sessions on numerous topics related to the International
Codes and safe building and inspections during the Education
Program.
Session topics included updates to the 2003 I-Codes, fire
inspection, moisture and mold, legal aspects of code administration, mobile inspection systems, accessibility requirements for
housing, new methodologies for permit fees and many more.
In addition to ICC technical staff, industry professionals who
presented programs included Philip Iverson and Ed Gregory
of the Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute; Anthony Algis
Vasys of Cambridge Associates, Ltd.; Frank MacLeod of AGI
Manufacturing, Inc.; Jeff Shapiro of the International Code
Consultants; Robert J. Taylor of the American Forest and
Paper Association; Steven Bostwick; George Dean, attorney at
law; Dan Porter; Pam Cole of the Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory; Robert F. Camacho; Robert Lutz and Lori Zito
of USP Structural Connectors; Isam Hasenin of the City of San
Diego, California; Robert Braun of the Dow Chemical Company; and Guy Bradley of HILTI.
ICC also hosted a crackerbarrel as part of this year’s Education Program, which featured more than 60 roundtable discussions on topics devoted to current technology, basic problems
and issues surrounding the I-Codes, and critical and difficult
concepts and ideas. Attendees enjoyed boxed lunches while
participating in 20-minute sessions at each roundtable.
Lee Witt and Board of Directors member Wally Bailey took the
time to prepare a traditional Southern breakfast for board members and executives on Monday morning of the conference. The
two Arkansas natives prepared homemade biscuits and chocolate gravy, a staple on breakfast tables in many Southern households. Below is Bailey’s recipe.
First place team.
Biscuits and Gravy—Arkansas Style!
James
Second place team.
Wally Bailey and James Lee Witt prepared homemade
biscuits and chocolate gravy for board members.
Chocolate Gravy
hot water
¼ cup of butter
1 cup of sugar
½ cup cocoa
½ cup flour
2 3/4 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla
Combine sugar, cocoa, and flour in a small bowl. Mix well (if you
don’t, the gravy will be lumpy.) Add just enough hot water to
make a paste. Warm the milk in a skillet. Pour cocoa mix into
milk. Stir until smooth. Add butter and vanilla. Cook over medium heat. Butter your biscuit and enjoy!
22 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
Third place team.
64 Top Score in Golf Tourney
The team of Douglas Hood, Alford Fann, Denny Boss and
Brian Goralski fired a score of 64 to capture first place honors
at the 2003 Annual Conference Golf Tournament, scorching the
Nashboro Golf Course with an eight-under-par round.
Finishing second, just one shot behind the winners with a
score of 65, was the team of Bruce Daniel, William Graham,
Jerry Mitchell and Albert Salvador.
The third place team of David Waugh, Sharon Bonesteel,
Donny Phipps and Martin Petchul finished with a score of
66.
Dorothy Kaehler was the winner of the women’s long drive
contest while Jason Bullock took the honors in the men’s division. Olen Nichols was the winner of the men’s closest-to-thepin contest.
A total of 114 golfers participated in this year’s event.
of
sizes
of
gluedlaminated timber that can be used in Heavy Timber (Type IV)
construction.
A significant assembly action on Proposed Code Change
G55-03/04 involved the required fire-resistance ratings for tall
buildings. The code change was disapproved by the committee.
The assembly then passed a motion to modify the proposal to
accept Item 1, which would not allow the reduction in type of
construction, as provided in Section 403.3, from Type IA to
Type IB for buildings greater than 420 feet in height.
Tom, Ryan Winners of 5K Run/Walk
Stuart Tom and Mary Ryan were the winners in
their respective divisions of the 5K Fun Run/Walk
held on Wednesday morning of the conference. Runners and walkers took part in the event at the nearby
Spring Hill Golf Course in Nashville.
Winners in the men’s division were: first place—
Stuart Tom; second place—Jeff Feid; third place—
Don Fozo.
Winners in the women’s division were: first
place—Mary Ryan; second place—Kathleen
Fozo.
Code Development Hearings
The following is an overview of the actions taken on
the proposed changes to the International Codes®
during the public hearings in Nashville, Tennessee.
INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
(IBC)
IBC—General
Out of the 156 changes heard by the IBC General Committee,
25 percent were approved as submitted or approved with modifications. Most of the proposed changes approved by the committee were simply clarifications to current code requirements.
Some approved technical changes included the exemption of
small aircraft hangars (less than 2,000 square feet in area) from
oil separator requirements when the hangars are only used for
storage of aircraft. Another technical change was the addition of
all Group S occupancies to the special provisions of Section
508.2, where a single-story building with certain occupancies
above can be considered a separate building for determination
of height and area limitations. Another change was the addition
November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
23
2003 Codes Forum
IBC—Fire Safety
Of the 184 proposed code changes submitted to the fire safety
sector of the IBC, 45 percent were approved as submitted or as
modified by the Fire Safety Committee. The approved code
changes were largely intended as clarifications to current code
requirements. Among the technical changes was a requirement
that sprinklers used as a water curtain on exterior openings that
are exempted from a fire-protection-rated assembly in buildings
fully equipped with a sprinkler system have an automatic water
supply and fire department connection.
Another approved change introduces the use of fire-resistance-
Jacki Gibbs testifies at the hearings.
rated glazing as wall assemblies when tested in accordance with
ASTM E119. An additional change adopts NFPA 288-01 for testing the fire-resistance rating of floor fire doors.
Proposals to limit the exception for elimination of fire dampers in smoke control systems to only those locations where a
damper would interfere with the smoke control operation and
eliminate the minimum 5,000 Btu/s design fire for use in smoke
control modeling were also approved. A rational analysis based
upon the anticipated design fire for the particular structure
would now be required.
IBC—Means of Egress and Accessibility
Means of Egress
Several changes were approved by the Means of Egress Committee as coordination items. Most were editorial in nature,
striving for greater consistency in the language used throughout
the code.
Proposed Code Change E8-03/04 revised the ceiling height
for means of egress in Section 1003.2 to 7 feet, 6 inches to
coordinate with the minimum ceiling height requirements in
Section 1208.2. Ceiling heights less than 7 feet, 6 inches will be
addressed in the exceptions to both sections.
Panic hardware was addressed by two approved code changes. The first proposal clarified that main exit doors in Group A
occupancies using Section 1008.1.8.3, Item 2, do not need panic
24 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
hardware as required in Section 1008.1.9. The other approved
proposal coordinated panic hardware requirements for specific
electrical rooms with a similar requirement currently found only
in the electrical code.
Proposals E9-03/04 and E12-03/04 were approved to revise
the method for calculating the design occupant load for a space
or building. The new methodology relates to whether or not the
space has fixed seating. In areas without fixed seats, Table
1004.1.2, Maximum Floor Area Allowance Per Occupant, will
be used to determine the design occupant load. If the intended
use is not listed in the table, the building official shall establish
the use in the table that will be used to determine the design
occupant load. For areas with fixed seats, the design occupant
load shall be determined by the number of fixed seats and, in
addition, by using Table 1004.1.2 for open space within the
same room, including wheelchair spaces and waiting areas. The
committee believed that this requirement would not be misinterpreted to include aisles within a fixed seating configuration. A
new exception for areas without fixed seats would permit an
actual occupant load to be used as the design occupant load
instead of the occupant load calculated from Table 1004.1.2
when approved by the building official.
Some changes which the committee agreed addressed areas
that needed attention were nevertheless disapproved. The committee provided strong encouragement to proponents and other
interested parties to return in the public comment phase. Proposed
Code Change E74-03/04 attempted to address the requirements
for aisle accessways and aisles in mercantile occupancies. Proposed changes E80, E87, E89 and E95-03/04 were a package of
code changes that tried to address the concern of open exit stairways and travel distance measurements along those stairways.
Several changes addressed stairway requirements. Similar
proposals for the IBC and the International Residential Code®
for measurement of riser height on treads sloped for drainage
were disapproved for the building code but approved as submitted for the residential code. Changes were also approved to
delete some duplicate language in the code to clarify the measurements of treads and winders in nontraditional stairs (e.g.,
circular, spiral), and would increase the locations where open
risers could be utilized. The choices of locations where open
risers are permitted were made consistent with those locations
where a 21-inch sphere may be used in guardrails (i.e., where
children are not expected to be present). Another change was
approved deleting the requirement that exterior exit stairways,
exit ramps and egress balconies be protected from ice and snow.
In addition, a proposal to relocate and modify the section dealing with enclosures under stairways was approved. The code
requirement was moved from the vertical exit enclosure section
to the general provisions for stairways, and a new exception
would permit ½-inch drywall on the underside of stairways
within Group R-2 and R-3 dwelling units to serve as an adequate
separation between the stairway and any enclosed space under
the stairway.
Safety concerns for roof hatches and areas on roofs where
workers would be working on equipment were addressed in
approved changes with new guard requirements. The means of
egress requirements were also revised to permit egress through
a storage room if specific provisions were made to provide a
path of travel through the room.
Accessibility
The definition for “Accessible Means of Egress” was revised by
Proposed Code Change E6-03/04. The intent of removing the
reference to areas of refuge and horizontal exits was to clarify
that those elements are components of an accessible means of
egress rather than termination points.
Another change was approved to delete Exception 2 of Section 1104.3. As written, it was not clear if a mezzanine must
comply with the 3,000-square-foot maximum indicated in Section 1104.4, Exception 1, or could be much larger. The committee agreed that there was no justification for permitting less
access to a mezzanine level than would be required for a second
floor level. The deletion would have access requirements for
different levels all located in Section 1104.4. Section 1104.3
was further modified to move the language regarding where
accessible routes could be located to Section 1104.5.
In addition, text was added to the criteria for accessible housing requirements to address situations in which a structure is
divided into separate buildings by firewalls and access to the
residential units is through one of those firewalls. As part of the
IBC’s ongoing coordination efforts with the federal Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines, this additional language would
also address situations in which a residential building is connected to a parking garage at multiple levels.
Referenced standards ASME A17.1, ASME A18.1 and ANSI/
BHMA A156.19 were all updated to the latest versions, and
Proposed Code Change E146-03/04 sought an update to the
2003 edition of ICC/ANSI A117.1 but was disapproved because
the standard had not yet been completed.
IBC—Structural
A code change was accepted that limits the live load reduction
in parking garages when using the alternate method given in
Section 1607.9.2 in order to be consistent with what had been
permitted prior to adopting a uniform live load of 40 pounds per
square foot for parking garages. The seismic load provisions
were modified to require use of ASCE 7 for the simplified
analysis procedure. Another code change retained the redundancy provision of the IBC in lieu of the reference to the ASCE
7 requirements.
In addition, information was added to Chapter 23 that is
needed for the computation of deflections in both wood struc-
Moderator Wally
Bailey in action.
tural panel diaphragms and wood structural panel shear walls.
Clarification was made to the shear wall deflection formula with
respect to the portion of that deflection which is attributable to
the anchorage.
An alternate braced wall panel construction method that has
been used in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade was added
to the conventional light-frame construction provisions. When
the requirements for this construction are met, the panel widths
adjacent to a door or window opening can be reduced to 16
inches in one-story buildings or 24 inches on the first story of a
two-story building.
Requirements for vertical and sloped glazing were revised to
rely on references to ASTM E1300 for determining the load
resistance of glazing types within the scope of that standard. The
IBC provides direction on wired, patterned and sandblasted
glass because these glazing types are not included in the scope
of ASTM E1300. Similarly, the IBC provisions for glass in
floors and sidewalks, which were based on information extracted from ASTM E1300, have been deleted because the standard
excludes such applications. Instead, such applications require
substantiation such as testing or design analysis.
ICC ELECTRICAL CODE
(ICC EC)
Two of the three code change proposals to the ICC EC sought to
delete the entire contents of the code, with the intent of persuading the ICC Board of Directors to terminate its publication. Both
proposals were disapproved, primarily because of the committee’s concern for the loss of text that is unique to the
ICC EC.
What's Next?
The full report of the Public Hearings is available on the
web site at www.iccsafe.org. The next step in the process is
the submittal of public comments, which are due January
14, 2004. This will constitute the FInal Action Hearing
agenda for the May 17-20, 2004, hearings.
November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
25
2003 Codes Forum
INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE
(IFGC)
Out of 49 total proposed changes to the IFGC, 63 percent were
approved as submitted or as modified. The revisions and additions recommended for approval include a new, more encompassing fuel cell standard and new coverage for testing and
purging of hydrogen piping systems. In addition, proposals were
recommended for the clarification of interlock requirements for
commercial cooking appliances and kitchen exhaust hood systems, new coverage for residential compressed natural gas refueling systems, new text recognizing that corrugated stainless
steel tubing is allowed to connect directly to specific appliances
as dictated by the manufacturer’s instructions, and new coverage for combining pressure regulator breather vents by means of
a manifold arrangement.
Many of the proposals would clarify the intent of the existing
text and serve to make the IFGC consistent with recent revisions
to ANSI Z223.1.
Ken Ford testifies
on a change.
INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE
(IMC)
Out of 77 proposed changes to the IMC, 38 were approved as
submitted or as modified. Some of the changes included revision of the definition of “extra-heavy-duty” cooking appliances
to include any appliance that utilizes wood or charcoal for all or
part of the heat source (this could include the use of wood chips
for flavoring); the addition of a water level detection device in
the primary drain line as a fourth method of providing auxiliary
condensate overflow protection; and the addition of CO2 concentration detection as a method for modulating outdoor ventilation air. Other changes include the addition of OSHA 29 CFR
1910.1025 as a method of ventilating indoor firing ranges; the
reduction of minimum air velocity in a grease duct system from
1,500 per minute to 500 feet per minute; and the addition of an
exception to allow light-duty convection, bread-baking and
microwave ovens to be installed without Type II exhaust
hoods.
INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE
(IRC)
26 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
IRC—Building/Energy
There were 321 code change proposals on the agenda, of which
152 were approved or approved as modified. These included the
addition of a new appendix for guidance in setting permit fees
and a new appendix containing provisions for a home daycare
operated within a dwelling. The addition of requirements for
retaining walls and guards were also approved, as was the addition of a new Seismic Design Category, D0, which will permit
interested parties to propose changes such as the reduction of
the requirements for brick veneer.
A proposal was approved to delete the option of designing
buildings in wind-borne debris regions as partially enclosed in
lieu of having protected openings, as was a proposal to delete
the requirement that basements with habitable spaces have an
emergency escape and rescue opening. Another change was
approved to add the requirement that a window well cover or
grate be installed when the window well opening is in paved
walking surfaces or directly below egress openings.
Provisions requiring the installation of carbon monoxide
alarms in dwelling units were approved, as was the addition of
an alternate bracing method for use adjacent to a window or
door opening. Other approved changes will add the requirement
that window sill heights be 24 inches above the finish floor
when the sill is located more than 72 inches above the ground or
the surface below, and the option to use a gypsum board ceiling
as a horizontal diaphragm to resist wind or seismic lateral forces.
Proposals requiring weather-resistant sheathing paper (a
weather-resistive barrier) to be applied over studs or sheathing
of all exterior walls were also approved. The current code contains exceptions that would permit omission of the paper under
some siding material. The approved change deletes the exception with regard to panel siding with shiplap joints or battens.
Finally, Items 11 through 16, 18 and 19 of Proposed Code
Change EC48-03/04 were approved to facilitate a complete
rewrite of IRC Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency. The rewrite provides prescriptive energy efficiency requirements that are easy
to understand and remember, relatively unchanging within jurisdictional boundaries, and cost effective.
IRC—Mechanical
Out of 27 proposed changes to the mechanical provisions of the
IRC, 16 were approved as submitted or as modified, including
the addition of a requirement for auxiliary drain pans under
Category IV condensing appliances; the addition of language to
clarify that exhaust air from bathrooms and toilet rooms must be
discharged directly to the outdoors, not into an attic or crawl
space; the addition of a water level detection device in the
primary drain line as a fourth method of providing auxiliary
condensate overflow protection; and the addition of PEX tubing
and polypropylene pipe and tubing as acceptable hydronic pip-
ing system materials where embedded in concrete or gypsum.
IRC—Plumbing
Three code changes to the IRC’s plumbing provisions were
approved as modified to provide an additional level of safety in
reducing the risk of scalding from bidets, individual shower
valves and bathtub valves. The first change regulates the discharge water temperature from a bidet fitting to a maximum of
110°F (43°C) by an approved water temperature-limiting device
conforming to ASSE 1070. Further modification was proposed
by the Ad Hoc Committee on water temperature and water temperature control to delete the referenced standard ASSE 1070
because the standard was not published at the time of the hearings. In the end, however, ASSE 1070 was recommended as the
appropriate standard for use in bidet applications.
The second proposed change added an additional referenced
standard CSA B125 for individual shower valves. Further
modification specified that in-line thermostatic valves must not
be utilized as individual shower and tub-shower combination
valves.
The third approved change regulates the discharge water temperature from a bathtub fixture fitting to a maximum temperature
of 120°F (49°C) by an approved water temperature limiting
device that conforms to ASSE 1070. Further modification was
proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee on water temperature and
water temperature control to delete the referenced standard ASSE
1070 because the standard was not published at the time of the
hearings. However, ASSE 1070 was recommended as the appropriate standard for use in bathtub applications. An exception in
the text provides for instances where protection is provided in
accordance with Section P2708.3 by a tub-shower combination
valve.
A proposed code change was also approved to add an exception for the use of a primer for solvent cement joints for CPVC
plastic pipe and fittings where the solvent cement is third-party
certified as conforming to ASTM F493, is yellow in color, is
used only for joining ½-inch through 2-inch-diameter CPVC
pipes and fittings, and is manufactured in accordance with
ASTM D2846. Note that this change achieves consistency with
the International Plumbing Code®.
RP20-03/04 was also approved, adding four distinct tables for
material requirements for above-ground drainage and vent pipe,
underground building drainage and vent pipe, building sewer pipe
and fittings. The change provides the designer with additional piping materials approved for such use and correlates with the IPC.
In addition, Code Change P45-03/04 was approved as modified to provide a format change for the relief valve discharge
pipe requirements. Thirteen provisions will provide step-bystep requirements for the connection, materials, installation,
discharge point and sizing of such discharge pipes. A similar
code change was submitted to the IPC and approved as submit-
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November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
27
2003 Codes Forum
ted.
INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE
(IPC)
Five code changes were approved as modified to provide an
additional level of safety to reduce the risk of scalding from
bidets, individual shower valves, multiple (gang) showers, bathtub valves and public hand-washing facilities.
The first change regulates the discharge water temperature
from a bidet fitting to a maximum of 110°F (43°C) by an
approved water temperature-limiting device conforming to
ASSE 1070. Further modification was proposed by the Ad Hoc
Committee on water temperature and water temperature control
to delete the referenced standard ASSE 1070 because the standard was not published at the time of the hearings. However,
ASSE 1070 was recommended as the appropriate standard for
use in bidet applications.
The second change provides further clarification that individual shower and tub-shower combination valves must be
installed at the point-of-use and that gang shower requirements
should be located in a separate section. In addition, the temperature of gang showers supplied with a single tempered water
supply will be controlled by an approved automatic temperature
28 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
control mixing valve that conforms to ASSE 1069 or individually controlled by balanced pressure, thermostatic or combination balanced-pressure/thermostatic valves that conform to
ASSE 1016 or CSA B125. Further modification was proposed
by the Ad Hoc Committee on water temperature and water temperature control to delete the referenced standards ASSE 1069,
ASSE 1016 and CSA B125 for gang showers because ASSE
1069 was not published at the time of the hearings. However,
ASSE 1069 was recommended as the appropriate standard for
use where gang showers are supplied with a single tempered
water supply.
The third change deleted referenced standard ASSE 1017 for
multiple gang showers because the standard is intended for use
at the hot water source rather than end-use applications. Further
modification specified that in-line thermostatic valves must not
be utilized as individual shower and tub-shower combination
valves.
The fourth change regulates the discharge water temperature
from a bathtub fixture fitting to a maximum temperature of
120°F (49°C) by an approved water temperature limiting device
that conforms to ASSE 1070. Further modification was proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee on water temperature and
water temperature control to delete the referenced standard
ASSE 1070 because the standard was not published at the time
of the hearings. However, ASSE 1070 was recommended as the
appropriate standard for use in bathtub applications. An exception in the text provides for instances where protection is provided in accordance with IPC Section 424.3 by a tub-shower
combination valve.
The final change provides an additional level of safety by
requiring tempered water to all public hand-washing facilities
by an approved water temperature limiting device that conforms
to ASSE 1070. Further modification was proposed by the Ad
Hoc Committee on water temperature and water temperature
control to delete the referenced standard ASSE 1070 because the
standard was not published at the time of the hearings. However,
ASSE 1070 was recommended as the appropriate standard for
use in such applications.
Proposed Code Change P95-03/04 was approved as modified
to add a reference to standard ASSE 1050 for the installation of
stack type air admittance valves. The modified code change
provides for the installation of both stack type air admittance
valves and individual or branch type air admittance valves. This
change is also a correlation change to the 2003 IRC, which permits the use of stack type air admittance valves.
Proposed Code Change P101-03/04 was also approved as
modified to permit the use of a single stack vent system. The
stacks are oversized to provide for the flow of liquid waste, solid
waste and air. The one pipe system in question uses one stack
instead of having a separate drainage and vent stack. Such systems depend on relieving the pressure by making the pipe larger
than required for drainage pipe in a two-pipe system in order to
limit pressure and vacuum buildups. These systems also use
unvented traps (“S” traps) that depend on oversized traps and
refill from flat bottom fixtures to maintain the trap seal. The
lengths of trap arms are limited to reduce suction buildups and
the vertical drops from fixture traps are oversized to prevent the
trap from self-siphoning.
The addition of a new section for pretreatment systems was
also approved to provide criteria for sizing, application and
installation requirements. The system is designed to provide for
the reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in
wastewater released to a treatment facility.
INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE
(IEBC)
Among the approved changes to the IEBC was the deletion of
text that references the applicability of the International Property Maintenance Code for existing structures, and changes to
IEBC Section 104.10 to require that the flood resistance of
existing structures located in flood hazard areas and undergoing
repairs, alterations or additions that constitute substantial
improvements be given due consideration before modifications
are granted. Another change was approved to clarify the code
requirement to protect the entire work area in high-rise construction when there is sufficient water to support a sprinkler
system.
The approval of Proposed Code Change EB20-03/04 deletes
the reference to Groups R1 and R2 in Section 605.3.1.1, subsection 4. Because the provisions for single-exit buildings are not
occupancy-specific, removing this reference helps to clarify the
paragraph. The current code text regarding Group R-1 and R-2
occupancies sufficiently addresses the conditions for single-exit
construction in both Group R-1 and R-2 buildings.
Proposed Code Change EB24-03/04 was also approved to
delete IBC Chapter 34 in its entirety and relocate it as new
Appendix K in the IBC. The purpose of this action was to place
the text where it could be used for local adoption in communities that may not be ready to adopt the IEBC. Similarly, Proposed Code Change EB41-03/04 was approved as modified by
an approved assembly floor vote to relocate IBC Sections
1614.1.1, 1614.2 and 1614.3 to Appendix K, Sections K 103.2
through K 103.2.2 and K 106.1. The intent was to provide for
consistency based on the actions on EB24-03/04.
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE
(IECC)
The major item with respect to the IECC was Proposed Code
Change EC48-03/04, submitted by the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE), which accounted for approximately 3½ hours of
the hearings and involved additional discussion of six floor
amendments prior to being approved with modifications. The
end result is that the first six chapters of the 2003 IECC will be
deleted and replaced by four new chapters. Coordinated revisions were also made by the IRC Building/Energy Committee to
the IRC residential energy requirements.
The primary reason for these changes was to simplify the
residential provisions and replace them with a document that
could make the code more usable, ease enforcement and provide
better compliance. To this end, the climate zones were modified
so that there are fewer zones and they apply countywide. Window/wall limitations that had previously applied were also
eliminated.
Some of the other main items which were approved by the
committee include a definition of Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
(SHGC), increasing the requirements for windows in the lower
climate zones where the cooling load is dominant, and specification of the interior design conditions for equipment sizing. In
addition, many of the commercial tables in Chapter 8 will be
replaced with a simpler building envelope table which not only
coordinates with the new DOE climate zones and ASHRAE
90.1 but also addresses metal building assemblies and can be
used for buildings with up to 40 percent window/wall area.
Scoping and requirements for energy recovery ventilation sysNovember-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
29
2003 Codes Forum
tems were also added into the commercial provisions, which
will help to coordinate with the ASHRAE 90.1 standard, as well
as energy conservation provisions for commercial pools.
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
(IFC)
A significant code change proposed to the IFC as a result of the
West Warwick, Rhode Island, nightclub tragedy was approved
to tighten the threshold for sprinklers in Group A-2 assembly
occupancies such as nightclubs, restaurants and banquet halls.
The International Fire Code Development Committee voted to
require such occupancies to be sprinklered where the occupant
load exceeds 100 while retaining the current thresholds of 5,000
square feet in area and where the occupancy is located relative
to the level of exit discharge. While proposal F58-03/04 originally called for all Group A-2 occupancies to be sprinklered
regardless of occupant load, area or location, the committee
believed that smaller assembly occupancies do not pose the
same level of threat to life safety since the spaces can be
readily evacuated. The 100-occupant threshold was chosen
based on current code requirements which trigger panic hardware for assembly occupancies of 100 or more and the need to
30 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
provide continued relief for small Group A-2 occupancies that
do not pose the same hazard as larger ones.
Other notable changes include the approval of a proposal to
prohibit the burning of incense, candles or other open-flameproducing items in dormitory sleeping units and the creation of
a new Section 3003.14, similar to the provisions for vault use in
connection with flammable and combustible liquids in Chapter
34, which will recognize the use of above- or below-grade
vaults for the storage, compression, generation or dispensing of
compressed gases. This latter code change will not require
vaults but recognizes them as a viable design option for safeguarding compressed gas operations.
Proposed Code Change F135-03/04 was approved to clarify
installation criteria for smoke and heat vents in Group M and
other occupancies by relabeling first column cells 2, 3, 4 and 5
of Table 910.3 from reading “Group S-1 . . .” to read “Highpiled storage (See Section 910.2.3) . . .” to make the reference
in Section 910.2.3 to the table complete. Code change F16503/04 was also approved to remove the two control area limitation in Groups M and S by deleting Note b to Table 2703.8.3.2.
The intent is to allow Groups M and S to be treated the same as
any other group in terms of control areas allowed and to prevent
certain occupancies (e.g., drug, hardware, paint and automotive
parts stores) from being prohibited in certain buildings, such as
strip malls. An additional change removes a misunderstanding
of the scope of automatic fire detection required in Group I
occupancies by Section 907.2.6. The current text is often interpreted to require fire detection system coverage throughout all
Group I facilities, whereas the revision more clearly specifies
what portions of Group I-1 and I-2 facilities must be so
equipped.
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
(IPMC)
Proposed Code Change PM1-03/04 was approved to delete Section 104.8. Currently, this section requires departments with
multiple inspectors to coordinate their inspections and thus
reduce the inconvenience to homeowners and occupants. By
removing this code requirement, jurisdictions will have more
flexibility to establish their own policies for inspections based
on their own particular processes and systems.
Code changes were also approved to add language allowing
jurisdictions to address code violations through both the criminal and civil court systems, and screen doors used for insect
control will now be required to have self-closing devices in
good working condition.
INTERNATIONAL ZONING CODE
(IZC)
Proposed Code Change Z3-03/04 was approved to remove the
code official’s authority to waive requirements for loading
spaces on unusual lots. The approval of Z4-03/04 will result in
the deletion of Section 807 (Grading and excavation) from the
IZC.
Resolutions
The following resolutions were approved during Codes Forum
2003 in Nashville, Tennessee. Members of this year’s Resolutions Committee were ICC Boards of Directors Henry L.
Green, Chair, William D. Dupler and Dorothy M. Harris.
RESOLUTION 2003-1
of the ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS
concerning the CONFERENCE SITE
WHEREAS, the members of International Code Council,
Charity Auction Raises More Than $6,000
More than $6,000 was raised at ICC’s silent auction for
Parachutes, Inc., a local nonprofit charity with a mission to
identify potential hazards and implement safety measures
targeting those who are physically or financially challenged, and to educate those populations regarding conditions which could predispose them to risks within their
environment.
Parachutes, Inc., which stands for Providing Alternative
Resources And Controlling Hazards Utilizing Timely
Essential Services, provides safety-related products and
services including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers,
carbon monoxide detectors, flashlights, batteries, nightlights, cell phones preprogrammed to dial 9-1-1, cleaning
of chimneys and fireplaces, furnace inspections, radon
detection, minor flooring repairs, and the installation of
deadbolts and peepholes.
ICC wishes to thank all of the individuals and organizations who made donations to the auction, as well as those
who participated.
More than $6,000
was raised during
ICC’s Silent Auction
to benefit a local
charity in the Nashville area.
Inc., did assemble at
(continued)
November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
31
2003 Codes Forum
(continued)
ICC’s 1st Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 5–14, 2003; and
did extend the hand of friendship and hospitality to all those in
attendance; now, therefore,
WHEREAS, the 1st Annual Conference provides a generous
opportunity for code development, education, communication
and enjoyment; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that those members here assembled on
September 9, 2003, at the 2003 ICC Annual Meeting of the
Members, do hereby express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the citizens of the State of Tennessee and the City of
Nashville for their warm greeting and hospitality.
WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee and the City of Nashville
Frank P. Hodge, Jr., of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, was
sworn in as ICC Secretary/Treasurer.
Outgoing President Paul Myers passed the ICC gavel to
Anne vonWeller during the Annual Banquet.
The 2003 ICC Board of Directors: (standing, left to right) Henry Green, Wally Bailey, Terry Cobb, Ed Berkel, Fred Herman, Frank
Hodge, Dorothy Harris, Greg Johnson, Adolph Zubia, Gerald George, Bill Duck, Steve Shapiro, Tim Ryan, (seated, left to right)
Anne vonWeller, Paul Myers, and Nick D’Andrea.
32 Building Safety Journal November-December 2003
Newly-elected
President Anne vonWeller addresses the
membership.
Chief Financial Officer Karl Meyer was
presented the William J. Tangye Staff Recognition Award.
COO Rick Weiland, Nicole Malenfant of James Lee Witt Associates, CEO James Lee
Witt and his wife, Lea Ellen.
Nick D’Andrea of Tampa, Florida, was
sworn in as ICC Vice President.
Paul and Michelle Myers, Outgoing President and First
Lady.
Outgoing President Paul Myers and CEO James Lee Witt were presented
commemorative gifts from the City of Nashville.
November-December 2003 Building Safety Journal
33