Support Construction and Safe Buildings in Your Community

Data from a recent survey by the International Code Council shows that although deemed essential, many code
departments around the U.S. do not have all the tools and systems in place to work
virtually. According to more than 1,150 building and fire prevention department respondents, 93% of offices are still performing inspections. Yet, with employees in two-thirds of
departments working remotely, nearly a quarter of departments lack needed hard copy code
books; 4 in 10 departments do not have the capability to conduct electronic/remote plan
review; 3 in 10 departments do not have the capability to conduct electronic/remote
permitting; and 6 in 10 departments do not have the capability for electronic/remote
inspections. Survey responses received in subsequent weeks have been consistent with these
results.

Code compliance is a necessary element in the building and construction space. Without the
resources to conduct inspections, permitting and plan review virtually, departmentsóand the
building, fire, plumbing, and mechanical officials and inspectors that comprise themódo not
possess the capability to remotely carry out critical aspects of their work. This hinders
departmentsí ability to provide essential functions, like overseeing the safe construction
of temporary structures to provide medical surge capacity and ensuring the maintenance of
hospital ventilation disinfection systems. According to construction industry surveys (such
as those by NAHB and NMHC), virtual
capability needs have also led to significant delaysócreating challenges for ongoing
construction and the construction weíll need in the future that will help drive our economic
recovery. Investing in these capabilities now not only addresses these challenges but also
would produce lasting reductions in departmental operation costs and permitting timelines.

As a member of the building industry, we urge you to join us in advocating for
funding for code departments to ensure our buildings are built in a safe, timely, efficient
manner during the age of virtual work and COVID-19. Right now, the federal
government has allocated billions of dollars for states and local governments to respond to
the pandemic through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). On
April 22, the U.S. Department of the Treasury listed
ìExpenses to improve telework capabilities for public employees to enable compliance with
COVID-19 public health precautionsî as an eligible expense under a $150 billion state and
local relief fund the Department is administering.

However, just because itís an eligible expense does not mean that governmental funding
recipients will choose to help their code departments make the transition to virtual work.
We need to convince them. Please join us in advocating for these measures by visiting our
Coronavirus Advocacy Resources page, which includes background on federal programs
that can support code departments, talking points to advocate for code departments, and
contact info for Code Council staff liaisons by region who are active on these efforts.