by Michael O'Brian on May 19, 2010
Final Action Hearings to Conclude this Week
The International Code Council is currently 1/2 way thru the final action hearings in Dallas Texas. The final action hearings for the A group of code changes began Sunday May 16, 2010 and will conclude this Sunday. These code changes are various items that recieved public comment after the Code Development process last fall in Baltimore. The final changes will make up the 2012 editions of the ICC code group.
The hearings have heard changes on the International Building Code, International Mechanical Code, and International Plumbing Code. It is expected that the hearings will begin this afternoon on the International Fire Code and the Residential Code should begin on [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on October 28, 2009
ICC Hearings have big votes with over 1800 voters
Building and Fire Safety professionals from across the United States participated in the Code Development hearings in Baltimore. Today was a busy day with various code proposals found in the International Residential Code (IRC). These included revisions on stairways, general provisions, fire sprinkler provisions and many more.
Some of the more anticipated votes included
- RB53, would have changed the sprinkler provisions that affect Townshouses was removed by the proponent.
- RB54, added language to make sprinklers an option. The committee voted in favor of (7-4) to deny the code change while the floor action was requested and confirmed the committee action to keep sprinklers in the code.
- RB 56, was disapproved by the committee (7-4)
- RB 57, removed by submitter
- RB 55, disapproved (10-1) by committee [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on October 28, 2009
Large Numbers In Baltimore for Hearings
The International Code Council (ICC) is heading full steam into the 5th day of code change proposals. Today’s hearings in Track 1 will feature IRC Building and include multiple proposals on the residential sprinkler requirements. Track 2 completed the structural provisions of the IBC and will now move into the IECC. The numbers estimated to be in attendance has forced a location change for the code hearings and Part II is now in the convention center to allow adequate space for the hearings in Part 1
The code development hearings will continue into the weekend up till the Annual Business Meeting and then restart next week. The code development hearings will shape the 2012 editions of the ICC documents.
If you are not in Baltimore you can [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on December 30, 2008
A Special Post by Deputy Chief Lawrence A. Rude, EFO
Each and every one of us in the fire service has the opportunity to make a difference in a very special way. On September 21st, 2008, Code Officials from the Fire and Building Services came together in Minneapolis, Minnesota to make history. Almost 2,200 gathered in the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis to vote on a series of building and fire codes requiring sprinklers in newly constructed one and two family homes. (ICC Final Action Code Hearings (http://www.iccsafe.org/))
As a Fire Chief Officer, I have been beating my drum across the country for years, explaining to people how fire sprinklers save lives. These words have been met with mixed response. Some say, “Show me the proof”. Others say, “It is too darned expensive to put fire sprinklers in a home. Builders can’t afford it and the customer will never pay the price”. I even hear, “What about the water damage? My insurance company will never pay to replace everything lost by water damage”.
Hollywood has done more to [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on February 23, 2008
The 2008 ICC Codes Forum is rocking and rolling in Sunny (and somewhat raining) Palm Springs California. The codes forum is being cast via the web to provide access to anyone via the world wide web. If you have been on site or viewed during the web you have some some unique things happen over the first six days. There has been great code changes and some questionable ones. If you are new to code development here’s how it works:
A code change is submitted to the ICC to add, delete, change, or modify the current code. The code changes are listed in several manuals based on the document it will modify. The changes area heard via the appropriate committee based on the posted schedule. During the even two hearings are occurring at any given time.
If you tune into the hearings via the web-castyou can see several things occurring. First the proponent of the code change will testify based on the proposed changes. Others in support of the change will follow. Then those against will do the same. After a chance for rerebuttile, the committee will debate the change and recommend its final destination (approved, disapproved, or as-modified). The last action is if any member of the ICC wishes for a floor vote. At the codes forum anyone can vote that is an ICC member. The process is different at the final action hearings (we will provide details in the future).
The ICC process has been under much debate since over 2500 code changes were submitted. The process is up to 2 weeks as currently posted. With the amount of code change and discussion, the hearings have consistently ran long. I know that the ICC board is looking for ways to optimize the code development process and streamline some of its process. Regardless of what is happening, being a part of the process (live or via the web-cast) is a great way to understand the “intent” behind the code.
We have serveral links to some the hotter code changes in our discussion forum. Share your viewpoints for those who may vote in September. What can the ICC do to make the code hearings more effective and accessible to its membership?
by Michael O'Brian on February 18, 2008
The 2008 International Code Council (ICC) code forum runs from February 18, 2008 through March 1, 2008. The ICC has published a schedule of the various hearings. The hearings are broken down into two tracks which run simultaneously. The ICC provides a great service where you can watch the hearings live from your computer (equipped with an Internet connection).
The committee hearings are based on the proposed 2007/2008 code changes. The changes are broken down based on the proposed code the change will affect. Some of the codes have dual impact and may be found in one section in lieu of the proposed code. The hearings that are broadcast include many items. You will notice a moderator who runs each code change. The proposed change is assigned a number (letter abbreviation and number) which is then put for comment on the floor. Any member of the ICC can voice their comments to the committee. Once the comments are completed the moderator turns the change over to the code committee.
The code committee will then debate the issue and provide a vote. After the vote is complete the moderator will ask if the floor has any motions. The ICC members can ask for a floor vote. The floor vote does not have impact on the code change although it is reflected on the final action hearings (will take place in September 2008).
So why should you (the inspector) attend or tune into the event? This is a great chance to learn the “intent” behind the code. It provides technical justification when you look towards enforcing the future code. The process can seem overwhelming at first blush, just review the schedule and tune intothe code that you have a passion for. If you have time follow along in the proposed changes and watch the fun!
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