ICC Members: The individuals behind codes and safety — Nathan Vander Roest

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 Nathan Vander Roest 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.

Nathan Vander Roest
Principal
Vuur Consulting, LLC
Odenton, Maryland, United States
International Code Council member for 20 years

BSJ: What was the path to your career — how and why did you pursue a profession in building safety?
Vander Roest: I was an active volunteer in the fire service in my late teen years. After briefly beginning studies in chemical and process safety at a state university, I discovered the fire protection engineering program at the University of Maryland. It was a perfect opportunity to be able to continue being active in the fire service while obtaining a degree that would launch a career in the building safety space.

BSJ: What three things do you need to be successful in this industry and in your profession?
Vander Roest: A fire protection consultant is well equipped to contribute positively to the industry\profession when possessing an aptitude for interpreting and applying the model building and construction codes; the ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences, both verbally and in writing; and the skill to mitigate the risk of fire as it relates to life safety and property protection in modern building design and construction.

BSJ: What role have mentors, advisors or your network played in your career?
Vander Roest: I am thankful for the mentorship that others in the fire protection engineering community have provided me with throughout my career. I was fortunate to be able to complete my studies within a co-operative education program during which I was working alongside some of the industry’s best consulting engineers. While my personal career path has included opportunities in both the public and private sector spaces; these relationships have remained. The fire protection engineering community is very collegial and values the exchange of experience and knowledge; I am without doubt better off as a result.

BSJ: What led you to become an ICC member?
Vander Roest: Membership in the ICC is one way to support the council’s mission of developing high-quality, consensus-based codes. In addition, online resources and code opinion services are valuable tools in my career.

BSJ: Are you involved in any ICC committees or councils? Do you have any ICC certifications?
Vander Roest: I have obtained ICC certifications.

BSJ: How long have you been in the industry?
Vander Roest: 20 years

BSJ: What major changes have you seen?
Vander Roest: Over my short career in building safety, I have seen significant change with respect to the utilization of technology throughout the entire spectrum of the built environment. Specifically, with respect to the most significant changes to fire protection and life safety, I have found building departments increasingly engaged in the design and construction process and that the industry has recognized the importance of the interrelationship of multiple building systems required to work together to achieve the highest level of life safety and property protection.

BSJ: What excites you about the future of your industry?
Vander Roest: There have been a number of significant events that have occurred over the last twenty years in the fire protection and life safety space of building design. I am most encouraged to see that fire protection engineering consultation and support is being more consistently engaged at the onset of building planning and design.

BSJ: What is one piece of advice that you would give to those starting out in the industry?
Vander Roest: Be intentional with those in the industry. Join student associations, seek internships\co-operative experiences, and actively engage with mentors in the field!

BSJ: What do you see as most surprising about the work that you do?
Vander Roest: The variety! The ability to work with teams on a small daycare or tutoring center on a given morning, and another on a large distribution center or military installation in the afternoon. While the variety is occasionally surprising, it is also what is most appreciated about the opportunity to work within the fire protection engineering industry.

BSJ: What would you like to do next in your professional/personal life?
Vander Roest: I think the industry has seen significant advancement in the delivery of new buildings. Professionally, I have found an interest in the preservation of historic buildings and the improvement of existing structures.

BSJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
Vander Roest: In my leisure time, I find great enjoyment actively being a dad to three teens and all their activities!

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title would be?
Vander Roest: Not sure my biography would be a best-seller, but perhaps: “Yes, It’s Required”: The Subtle Art of Being 100% Right, 85% of the Time.

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.