Washington, DC – The International Code Council has joined the Copyright Alliance as its newest member to help bolster copyright protection efforts for codes and standards. The Copyright Alliance represents the copyright interests of over 2 million individual creators and 15,000 organizations across the spectrum of copyright disciplines.

“We are very pleased to partner with the Copyright Alliance, and with its member organizations, as we work toward ensuring that codes and standards—which are essential to public health, safety, and security—continue to be effectively protected by copyright,” said Mel Oncu, Code Council General Counsel. “This is an opportunity to connect with other stakeholders and understand and represent their needs as well.”

Regarding the Code Council joining the Copyright Alliance, CEO Keith Kupferschmid stated, “We are thrilled to have the Code Council join us as a member and welcome their wealth of experience in the area of copyrightability of codes and standards. We look forward to working with Mel Oncu, and with all the Code Council’s staff and constituents, as we continue to fulfill our mission of educating the public on the importance and value of copyright to all industries, including codes and standards.” 

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About the International Code Council   
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide. 

About the Copyright Alliance

The Copyright Alliance is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest and educational organization representing the copyright interests of over 1.8 million individual creators and over 13,000 organizations in the United States, across the spectrum of copyright disciplines. The Copyright Alliance is dedicated to advocating policies that promote and preserve the value of copyright, and to protecting the rights of creators and innovators.

Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council’s Technical Training Program (TTP) introduces students to building codes associated with the trades and helps them understand the importance of building codes in the construction process. Part of the Code Council’s signature Safety 2.0 portfolio of programs, the TTP is another tool to welcome a new generation of members and leaders to the building safety profession.

The TTP utilizes the International Residential Code (IRC) and IRC study companion as the primary resources for the program. Organized into six separate modules—building, masonry, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy—the TTP enables schools to easily integrate one or more disciplines into current curriculum. Students learn up-to-date code information and technical training along with practical training for the workplace. The program includes the necessary course materials, exams and completion certificates.

This year, the Code Council launched a Technical Training Program Portal that provides instructors and students complete digital access to the TTP. After joining the TTP, instructors can use the portal to host the program. Once they establish their course in the portal, they invite their students to create an account and join their course. The Code Council provides instructions to both instructors and their students on course material.

The program’s technical content (2018 IRC and study companion), quizzes and exams are all available digitally through the portal. Instructors can supplement the program with their own additional content and customize administration and delivery. In addition, the portal provides automated monitoring of student performance and progress and features student communication and study tools.

“The Technical Training Program can be implemented through career and technical education programs and schools as well as community colleges with building or construction majors. We are also exploring the potential for building departments and building safety service providers to apply this program as an introductory course,” said Code Council Director of Safety 2.0 Programs Madi Dominescy. “And now, with the TTP Portal, this program is virtually accessible to anyone interested in teaching building codes as a foundation to their programs.”

Students who complete the program will receive a nationally recognized, stackable and transferable certificate from the Code Council upon completion of any of the six disciplines and passing a final exam. Students who earn a certificate of completion in all six disciplines will be better prepared for the Code Council’s Residential Building Inspector Certification exam. Learn more about the Code Council’s certification exams.

Visual resources will soon be available for instructors to help navigate the TTP Portal. Find out more about the Code Council’s Safety 2.0 Technical Training Program.

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About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council announced that Lisa Reiheld, joined the PMG Technical Resources Team as its Technical Resources Director for the Midwest Region. As part of her responsibilities, Reiheld will represent the Code Council in federal and state coalitions, task forces, committees and councils where expertise in the International Codes (I-Codes) is required.

“The Code Council’s PMG department plays a pivotal role in providing technical resources that designers, builders and regulators rely on,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “Lisa’s diverse experience and insight within the industry will greatly benefit our efforts to expand the use of the I-Codes.”

Reiheld brings extensive knowledge and expertise to the role, with over 20 years of experience in plumbing product certifications, design engineering and building codes. Prior to joining the Code Council, Reiheld was a Codes & Standards Manager for Viega LLC where she advised product design staff on code and standard requirements that impacted the development of new products, among other responsibilities. Reiheld also worked for the CSA Group as a Certification Engineer in the Plumbing Group providing education to code officials around the country on the process and meaning of certification marks.

“My previous experiences of providing education to authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) organizations will greatly help our goal of increasing the Code Council’s PMG network and building lifelong relationships with current and future Code Council members,” said Reiheld. “I am excited to be working with new colleagues and alongside some familiar faces, who have helped make this transition to the new role both easy and enjoyable.”

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About the International Code Council   
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide. 

Annapolis, MD – Governor Larry Hogan announced that House Bill 303 will become law in Maryland and greatly advance swimming pool and spa safety and efficiency throughout the state. House Bill 303, sponsored by Delegate Dana Stein (District 11, Baltimore County) and Senator Cory McCray (District 45, Baltimore City), will require Maryland to use the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as the new minimum standard, effective December 31, 2023, for building swimming pools and spas.

The adoption of the ISPSC enhances the safety and efficiency of pools and spas by applying a consistent, uniform construction and safety code that is based on proven best practices for drowning prevention and energy efficiency. The ISPSC is currently used in over 30 states in the U.S., including Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey.

“On behalf of the industry and a diverse coalition of supporters, we applaud the General Assembly and Governor Hogan for passing and enacting HB 303,” said Justin Wiley, PHTA Vice President of Government Relations, Standards and Codes. “This safety-focused law takes a significant step toward modernizing Maryland’s building codes and standards for swimming pools and spas.”

House Bill 303 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House of Delegates and the Senate. The bill was supported by the International Code Council, Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and a coalition of businesses, regulators, first responders and safety professionals, including the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Building Officials Association, the Maryland Fire Marshal Committee, the Maryland State Firefighter’s Association and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.

“This adoption ensures a safe and comprehensive code for the design and construction of swimming pools in Maryland,” said Frank Quillen, President of the Maryland Building Officials Association. “The ISPSC coordinates with the other building safety codes adopted in Maryland to create a consistent regulatory framework for both building safety professionals and for builders.”

The legislation requires the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt the ISPSC as a baseline code for the state and allows for local jurisdictions to enforce and amend the code as necessary. More importantly, the ISPSC correlates with local laws and regulations that are already established.

“The adoption, implementation and enforcement of modern codes and standards play an important role in keeping communities safe, resilient and affordable” said Gabe Maser, Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations. “The Code Council commends Maryland for the adoption of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and their efforts to ensure the state is using the most up-to-date safety and efficiency standards.”

The signing and implementation of House Bill 303 will afford all jurisdictions access to grants for training on the ISPSC under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA). The VGBA is a United States law named after Virginia Graeme Baker, who died after sustaining a pool suction-drain injury in June 2002. It is incorporated as Title 14 of the U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA Title 14, Pub.L. 110-140). This act became enforceable law on December 19, 2008.

The incorporation of the ISPSC in Maryland will follow the same process the state already uses for most building codes in practice, such as the International Residential Code (IRC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) and the International Building Code (IBC) which are enforced and amended by the counties.

“The PHTA Mid-Atlantic Chapter is happy to see that Governor Hogan is allowing the ISPSC to become law. This will help to improve safety around public and private pools and spas across the great state of Maryland,” said Brian St. Clair, President of the PHTA Mid-Atlantic chapter. “The public can find comfort in knowing that the ISPSC will hold companies to the highest safety standards, helping to reduce drownings, ER visits, and accidents around pools. It will also help to consolidate code compliance for new construction and renovations of pools and spas, helping to streamline the building process for local companies. Thank you, Governor Hogan, for helping to keep Marylanders safe while enjoying the pools and spas across this wonderful state!”

You can view the 2021 ISPSC Digital Code here.

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About the International Code Council
 The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance 

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 3,600 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities.