International Code Council Government Relations Update – January 2016
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Code Change Cost Impact Substantiation – What You Need to Know
ICC recently posted a news item containing the link below, which provides an explanation on the change made for the 2015 code development cycle and clarifies for this cycle what is meant by cost impact "substantiation". The notice states that code change proposals that do not have the required substantiation information will not be accepted.
Read the full PDF.
Voter Validation Deadline for Group B Codes Fast Approaching!
With the coming of the new year, the ICC Governmental Member voting validation process is starting up again. All Governmental Members in good standing must designate their Voting Representatives by March 18, 2016. Find more information about the process.
Congress Extends Energy Efficient Homes Tax Credit
Congress, in its end of fiscal year spending bill signed by the President just before Christmas, extended a number of tax deductions and credits, which had expired at the end of calendar year 2014. Among the tax “extenders,” as they are called, was the extension of Sec.45L1, of the tax code, that provides a tax credit of $2,000 for the builder of each new home that is “energy efficient.”
Because the 2012 and 2015 IECC are both approximately 30% more efficient than the baseline IECC, any home built in 2015 or 2016 that meets the 2012 or 2015 IECC and has currently available HVAC equipment will very likely qualify for the $2,000 tax credit. For states that have not yet adopted the 2012 or 2015 IECC, the extension of this tax credit might be an incentive for home builders to support updating the code to the 2012 or 2015 IECC in their states.
Call for Standards Committees Members
The International Code Council is accepting applications for service on its Standard on Bleachers Folding and Telescopic Seating, and Grandstands (ICC 300-2012) and Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures (ICC 400-2012) consensus committees. The application deadline is Jan. 21.
In addition, The ICC Board of Directors approved the establishment of an ad hoc committee for tall wood buildings at its December meeting. The deadline to apply to this committee is February 5. Find more details.
ICC-IAS Accredits Building Departments and Fire Prevention Bureaus
You can enhance your agency's public stature by obtaining accreditation through the ICC International Accreditation Service (IAS). Accreditation is a process where an organization or agency is assessed by an independent entity that compares the agency’s performance against consensus criteria. The organization must produce plans and documentation that it meets the accrediting agency standards and commit to ongoing review to retain the accreditation.
IAS accredits building departments, third-party building department service providers, special inspection agencies, product certification agencies, inspection programs for metal building manufacturers, fabricator inspection programs, testing and calibration laboratories, training agencies, curriculum developers, and field evaluation bodies. IAS’s Fire Prevention and Life Safety Department accreditation program began in 2011.
For more on how your agency can become accredited visit the IAS website or call IAS at 1-866-427-4422.