ICC Administers U.S. World Standards Day; Lynn Named Brown Standards Leadership Award Recipient

“Standards Increase Efficiency” is the 2012 theme for the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day, administered by the International Code Council which references almost 1,300 standards in its International Codes. The theme recognizes the crucial role of standards, codes and conformance activities in driving more efficient processes, services, systems and built environments worldwide.

One of the highlights of World Standards Day, Oct. 11, is the presentation of the 2012 Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award, which honors a late U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The 2012 recipient is Ronald Lynn, who is the Director and Building Official for the Clark County (Nev.) Department of Development Services, where he uses codes and standards to ensure the public safety of the county’s residents and millions of people who visit Las Vegas each year. The award honors those who dedicate themselves to the promotion of standardization as a key tool in the elimination of global trade barriers.

“I am thrilled that the Code Council’s nomination of Ron Lynn to receive this award was unanimously approved by the distinguished members of the U.S. World Standards Day Planning Committee,” said Code Council CEO Richard P. Weiland. “Ron is well known as a leader in the construction codes and standards community and he is a very deserving recipient of the Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award.”

Lynn is a Past President of the ICC Board of Directors and Chair of the McCarran Airport Hazards Area Board of Adjustment, Nevada Earthquake Safety Council, Nevada Organization of Building Officials, and the Western States Earthquake Safety Council’s Architecture, Engineering and Construction Committee. He was recognized by the U.S. Congress for contributions to the building safety community and received a U.S. Senate Commendation for his commitment to building safety, energy conservation and emergency response.

The 2012 World Standards Day Paper Competition also has been announced by the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day Planning Committee and the competition’s sponsor, SES (The Society for Standards Professionals). The theme for this year’s paper competition, “Standards Increase Efficiency,” recognizes that standards and codes help to measure, compare, and increase efficiency and reduce waste in all forms.

Cash prizes will be awarded for up to three papers selected by a panel of judges. The first place winner will receive a plaque and $2,500. Second and third place winners will receive $1,000 and $500 along with a certificate. All submissions must be received with an official entry form by midnight, Aug. 10, 2012. The winning papers will be published in Standards Engineering. Details, judging and rules for the written competition are available at: http://www.ses-standards.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=77.

Since the initial celebration in 1970, World Standards Day is now recognized globally. U.S. activities are organized by a planning committee with representatives from across the standards and conformity assessment community. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) co-chair the event each year.

The International Code Council is a member-focused association dedicated to helping the building safety community and construction industry provide safe and sustainable construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.