Experts debate future building safety and fire prevention codes

Building safety will be front and center when code officials, architects, engineers and other building industry professionals meet to debate more than 2,200 proposed changes to the International Codes. The 2008 International Code Council Codes Forum will convene in Palm Springs, California, February 18-March 1. Proposed code changes will be considered for inclusion into the 2009 International Codes. The Code Council updates the I-Codes every three years through a governmental consensus process. The hearings are open and inclusive, allowing input from anyone and everyone in a public setting.

“Participating in the code development hearings is a great opportunity to make a significant contribution to public safety,” said International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. “The codes are used to guide construction so as to improve building safety and reduce risk in thousands of communities in all 50 states to safeguard the public and protect property.”

“I especially want to encourage code officials from around the country to attend this year’s Codes Forum and participate in the code development hearings,” said Code Council Board President Steve Shapiro. “It’s the best code education you can receive. The knowledge you gain by participating in code hearings will help you improve building safety when you return to your daily work.”

The Code Council will host a February 17 pre-Codes Forum event, the Wildland Urban Interface Institute. The institute will offer an in-depth look at the wildland urban interface problem in the United States and its impact on local communities. Attendees will discuss elements of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code, Community Wildfire Protection Planning and other tools to minimize the impact of wildland fires.

“Given the recent devastation caused by wildfires in Southern California, the Wildland Urban Interface Institute is particularly timely,” said Weiland. “The Code Council has experts and tools available both to help communities rebuild and to better protect themselves from wildfire threats.”

As part of Codes Forum the Code Council also will administer inspector exams February 22-25. The residential and commercial exams cover building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspections. Other exams offered are Fire Inspector I, Fire Inspector II and Fire Plans Examiner.

All Codes Forum events are being held at the Palm Springs Convention Center. For more information on the 2008 International Code Council Codes Forum, the Wildland Urban Interface Institute, certification examinations and to register for these programs, please visit www.iccsafe.org/codesforum, call 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), ext. 4229 or e-mail jcanter@iccsafe.org.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Building safety codes used in most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt construction safety codes are developed by the International Code Council.