ICC Members: Shaping the safety of the world around us — Samir Mokashi

Code professionals ensure building safety today, for a stronger tomorrow. As the individuals behind modern codes and standards, these professionals are responsible for ensuring the safety and compliance of codes and standards, shaping the safety of the world around us, and serve as the safety foundation for our buildings. They don’t just ensure that buildings are constructed to withstand the stress of everyday use, they are behind the security and stability of every building. They specialize in preventative measures to help communities weather unforeseen natural disasters and ensure that first responders have less to worry about and can do their jobs safely. Code professionals are an essential piece in the building and construction puzzle and are engaged in the building process from the initial building plan to the finished product.

The International Code Council is a member-focused association with over 64,000 members dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. They protect the public through their commitment to building safety; enforce code compliance to empower and educate stakeholders across the built environment to embrace and integrate safety standards in their work; support economic development by making our buildings sturdier, and therefore longer lasting. Their knowledge, skills, and abilities impact every building, in every community.

The Code Council recognizes the importance of continuing to grow awareness of the important work that code professionals do and the impact they have, in the hopes of encouraging aspiring building safety professionals to join in on the building safety movement. In this exclusive feature for the Building Safety Journal, we asked Samir Mokashi to share his experience in the industry, highlights of his professional career, and any insights or advice he has concerning the industry and the future of building safety.

Samir Mokashi
Principal
Code Unlimited LLC
Portland, Oregon, United States
International Code Council member for 16 years

BSJ: What was the path to your career — how and why did you pursue a profession in building safety?
Mokashi: I got my master’s in architecture and was working at an AE firm that designed semiconductor facilities. I discovered here that I had an affinity for reading and understanding codes. I also noticed that most of my colleague’s architects/engineers hated codes and had difficulty understanding them. I figured that if I became a code expert this would provide job security, which was very important to me as an immigrant in the US. I interacted with a few private code consultants along the way and realized it can be a financially rewarding career if I can get to the expert level of knowledge. That’s when I decided to pursue that path.

BSJ: What three things do you need to be successful in this industry and in your profession?
Mokashi: As a top code consultant you have to be good at identifying the problem, be good at applying your knowledge of codes to creatively and collaboratively solve the problem, and then be good at convincing the AHJ.

BSJ: What role have mentors, advisors or your network played in your career?
Mokashi: Early in my career my mentors helped me see the importance of clear communication. Most problems in the construction industry can be traced back to misunderstandings caused by miscommunication or not enough communication. They also taught me to be methodical and rigorous — read the applicable code section twice before you use it, make sure the code section applies, and cite the section and edition in your analysis and preparatory notes.

BSJ: What led you to become an ICC member?
Mokashi: Access to solid professionals who can clarify the code intent and all the membership benefits.

BSJ: Are you involved in any ICC committees or councils? Do you have any ICC certifications?
Mokashi: I’m not involved with any ICC committees, nor do I have any ICC certifications.

BSJ: How long have you been in the industry?
Mokashi: 30 years

BSJ: What major changes have you seen?
Mokashi: The speed of business keeps increasing with access to improved tools and the ability to research.

BSJ: What excites you about the future of your industry?
Mokashi: Ability to provide customized solutions that allow for better and safer building designs instead of the one size fits all approach.

BSJ: What is one piece of advice that you would give to those starting out in the industry?
Mokashi: Focus on clarity and efficiency — understand the question before you embark on your journey to find answers.

BSJ: What do you see as most surprising about the work that you do?
Mokashi: Human ingenuity and desire to be helpful.

BSJ: What would you like to do next in your professional/personal life?
Mokashi: I am not even close to being done yet. Besides growing code unlimited to be an international firm I want to coach minority small business owners to be as successful as code unlimited.

BSJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
Mokashi: I am not even close to being done yet. Besides growing code unlimited to be an international firm I want to coach minority small business owners to be as successful as code unlimited.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title would be?
Mokashi: “He took the road less traveled by, it made all the difference”.

There’s a world of opportunity in being a member of the International Code Council. Membership provides the tools to get the most out of each workday: from discounts on essential International Codes and other publications to the best prices on top-quality training and ICC certification renewals, Code Council membership helps budgets go further. Exclusive member benefits include code advice from expert technical staff as well as access to member-exclusive news and articles at the Building Safety Journal news portal. Plus, only Code Council members vote in the ICC code development process. An online Career Center allows job postings and searches for new job opportunities — all at no additional charge.

The Code Council offers numerous councils, committees, and resources to help code professionals grow and network with colleagues. Six discipline-specific Membership Councils offer members a place to come together and be a more powerful force in shaping your association, your industry, your career, and your future. Code Development Committees are an instrumental part of the ICC code development process and are responsible for the review and evaluation of code change proposals submitted to the International Codes. Professional Development Committees serve to better align the ICC education programs and certification programs to ensure that quality training is available to meet the needs of all members, customers and certification holders. Finally, the Value of the Code Official toolkit helps members to heighten awareness of the importance of code officials to their communities and to highlight the code official’s role as a helpful advocate for community safety, health and welfare, and economic development.

To learn more about ICC membership, click here, or contact ICC Member Services by email or 888-ICC-SAFE (888-422-7233) ext. 33804.