Erfigen Brings Green Code Experience to Her Role as ICC Sustainability Membership Council Chair

New Council will serve needs of green and energy code enforcement officials and other industry professionals

The chair of the International Code Council’s Sustainability Membership Council Governing Committee is a knowledgeable code enforcement official and an ICC-certified CALGreen Plan Examiner and Inspector.

“New green codes and renewed interest in energy conservation codes are opening up new career paths and creating on-the-job challenges for code enforcement officials,” Transtech Engineers Building and Safety Supervisor Ayla Erfigen said. “I’m from California, and we already have a green code that we are enforcing. The Sustainability Council will be able to discuss green- and energy-related matters and offer peer group help and support.”

The ICC Board approved five discipline-specific Membership Councils: Sustainability, including energy; Building Officials; Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas; Global Members; and Fire Service. Each Council will advocate for concerns and issues that are of particular importance to its discipline.

Through Governing Committees, the Membership Councils will:

• Build and improve relationships with stakeholders who have an interest in safe and sustainable construction;
• Provide opportunities to enhance the understanding, acceptance and adoption of ICC codes related to the Sustainable Membership Council;
• Make recommendations for ICC training, certification and other programs related to sustainability;
• Keep ICC stakeholders informed and engaged in the association’s activities; and
• Act as an advocate for professional or technical interest areas and receive feedback.

Douglas Wise, city of West Palm Beach, Fla., will serve as the Sustainability Membership Council Governing Committee Vice Chair. Members are: Brian Bishop, Iowa Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal’s Office; Robert Brighton, Alpine Industries; Robert DeVries, Nu Wool Company; Anthony Catana, Spiezle Architectural Group; William Fay, Energy Efficient Codes Coalition; Ramesh Gulatee, Life Care Design Studio; Maureen Guttman, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Med Kopczynski, city of Keene, N.H.; Eric Lacey, Responsible Energy Codes Alliance; and Gary Rogers, G M Rogers & Sons Construction.

Details on how ICC Members may affiliate with the Sustainability Membership Council will be announced soon. There is no charge for participation and everyone interested in energy conservation and green building is encouraged to get involved and enroll in the Sustainability Membership Council.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States.