Notes

Outline

"ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND STATE..." ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND STATE ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS The use of information technology to streamline the nation’s building regulatory process to enable our construction industry “to build faster, better, safer and at less cost.” Second Annual Report to the nation’s governors, state legislators, chief information officers, code enforcement and construction community on the work of the National Alliance for Building Regulatory Reform in the Digital Age JULY 22, 2002

CONSTRUCTION’S CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR PUBLIC’S SAFETY AND THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR NATION IT’S A LARGE PART OF OUR ECONOMY $1.1 trillion per year industry 12 % of our gross domestic product 50 % of our national wealth is in buildings Provides the infrastructure for our economy It stimulates economic recovery and growth It houses where Americans live, work, and play

OUR BUILDINGS ARE A MAJOR TARGET OF TERRORISTS Pentagon / World Trade Center Bio-terrorism threats – Anthrax, other biological and chemical  Weapons of mass destruction and radiological/nuclear attacks

CONSTRUCTION’S  CRITICAL ROLE: Construction impacts budgets of all levels of government and life safety of all citizens Plays major role in either stimulating or slowing down our economy Is subject to homeland security reviews as to how to better protect and/or withstand potential future terrorist attacks as well as natural disasters

THE CONSTRUCTION REGULATORY PROCESS EITHER Enhances the economic development, competitiveness and public safety by ensuring safe, affordable, quality buildings; disaster resistance; and, where regulations are uniform within a region, ready response.     OR Hinders economic development, competitiveness and public safety by causing unnecessary confusion, cost, and time delays through overlapping, duplicative, and conflicting regulations, codes, and standards.

THE CONSTRUCTION REGULATORY PROCESS AS A HINDRANCE -  Restricts widespread use and market for aggregation for new products and technologies -  Adds as much as $100,000 per day in additional costs for unnecessary inspection delays  -  Makes it difficult for neighboring jurisdictions to coordinate disaster protection and provide immediate disaster response assistance to each other

UNFORTUNATELY, IN THE U.S. TODAY TOO MANY JURISDICTIONS FIND THEIR REGULATORY PROCESS IS THE LATTER (HINDRANCE) NOT THE FORMER THE PROBLEM? Over 44,000 units of state and local governments adopt and enforce construction codes and standards Stovepipe bureaucracies and regulatory overlap/duplication cause conflict and confusion between government, the public and the construction community, slowing down construction process, reducing competitiveness, and safety

THE PROBLEM ?  (Continued) Lack of uniformity in the codes adopted by jurisdictions too many amendments to a diverse array (and editions) of codes cause confusion in both the construction and disaster preparedness/response communities; restricts market aggregation for construction products, systems, and technologies Total lack of coordination of  Information Technology (IT) procurements, training, and common operating standards keeping costs for these services too high for many jurisdictions Individual jurisdictions end up being seen more as regulators than as facilitators The regulations they adopt and enforce are seen as barriers, not contributors, to public safety and economic development

TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS THE MAY 31 – JUNE 1, 2001 NATIONAL FORUM ON BUILDING SMARTER IN THE DIGITAL AGE – ARLINGTON, VA In the summer of 2001, representatives from 41 national organizations representing the construction and information technology communities and governmental agencies from all levels of government came together to discuss these problems and see how information technology might remove these barriers to safe, affordable construction

TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS The Forum participants gained common understanding of barriers and drafted an Action Agenda to address these problems.  They also proposed the formation of a national alliance to implement the draft Agenda of reform

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR BUILDING REGULATORY REFORM IN THE DIGITAL AGE FORMED AND ACTION AGENDA ADOPTED ON JULY 12, 2001, at a meeting at the National Governors Association, 25 national organizations and governmental agencies adopted the Forum’s Action Agenda and established The National Alliance For Building Regulatory Reform In The Digital Age.

I  -  ADOPTED ACTION AGENDA VISIONS STATEMENT  NATIONAL ALLIANCE VISION  STATEMENT Use information technology to transform the nation’s building regulatory process to enable the nation’s construction industry to build  “faster, better, safer and at less cost.”                                                                           July 12, 2001

II  - ADOPTED ACTION AGENDA  STATEMENT OF NEED AND WORK PRODUCTS Growing demand by public and private sectors for government to operate more effectively and efficiently to both enhance homeland security and reduce regulatory time/costs creates immediate need for: A national coordinated effort involving all levels of government, construction, and I.T. communities to: Identify and share best practices – hardware, software, and restructuring of the architecture of our current regulatory system to reduce regulatory costs to construction by up to 60% Promote common standards for digital signatures, simple common e-permits, plans review, field inspection software, and common systems requirements that include interoperability Identify and obtain funding to develop an advocacy and grants program to streamline the nation’s building regulatory process at all levels of government, facilitated by the more effective use of information technology

III -  ADOPTED ACTION AGENDA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Expand Alliance membership to more organizations and governmental entities To fulfill Mission Statement, establish and set work objectives for three work groups to implement the Action Agenda: National Alliance Steering Committee Technology Task Force Planning and Coordinating Task Force

III - ADOPTED ACTION AGENDA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (continued)

IV - SET REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING ALLIANCE ALLIANCE MEMBERS MINIMUM LEVEL OF SUPPORT 200 person hours or $5,000 per year Attendance at 60% of Alliance meetings Hot link between members and Alliance website Issue periodic news releases/web articles on progress of project Provide venues at your organization’s meetings for presentations on Alliance

IV - SET REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING ALLIANCE (continued) AFFILIATES MINIMUM LEVEL OF SUPPORT Attendance at selected Alliance events, national forums, task force meetings Hot link connection between Affiliate’s and Alliance’s websites Distribute alliance work products and information with members, citizens, and construction community

DURING FALL 2001 – SPRING 2002, NATIONAL ALLIANCE GREW FROM 25 to 35 MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES    National Alliance Members and Affiliates Alliance Members: American Institute of Architects Associated General Contractors of America Association of Major City/County Building Officials Building Owners & Managers Association International Civil Engineering Research Foundation (CERF) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Commonwealth of Virginia Council of State Community Development Agencies *Design Build Institute of America Fannie Mae *Federal Emergency Management Agency Industrialized Buildings Commission Institute for Building Technology and Safety *Membership pending

ALLIANCE MEMBERS (CONT) Alliance Members (cont): International Alliance for Interoperability *International Code Council National Association of Counties National Association of Home Builders National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards (NCSBCS) National Fire Protection Association National Governors Association National Institute of Building Sciences National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) U. S. Conference of Mayors U. S. Department of Agriculture U. S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)      and Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) U. S. General Services Administration *Membership pending

AFFILIATE MEMBERS Affiliate Members: American Subcontractors Association City of San Jose, California Council for Excellence in Government Fairfax County, Virginia FIATECH National Association of State Chief Information Officers *National Science Foundation State of Maryland *Membership pending

DURING FALL 2001 – SPRING 2002 THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE Held organizational meetings of committees and task forces and adopted work agendas

NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT   “The National Steering Committee serves as the Board of Directors and management body of the National Alliance by:   developing and amending the Alliance’s Action Agenda, overseeing and guiding the work of the Alliance’s Task Forces, serving as spokesperson for the Alliance, promoting Alliance members and funding.” 12 Members -  4 Government / 4 Construction Industry  /  4 Information Technology Community

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE – OPEN TO ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS/AFFILIATES   MISSION STATEMENT - “To enable the nation’s construction industry to build faster, better, safer and at less cost, the Technology Task Force will assemble, develop and demonstrate a set of tools to the National Alliance, jurisdictions, and construction industry that increase the use of information technology in the nation’s building regulatory process.”

PLANNING AND COORDINATING TASK FORCE – OPEN TO ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES MISSION STATEMENT   “To enable the nation’s construction industry to build faster, better, safer and at less cost the Planning and Coordinating Task Force will:   Lead the dissemination to states, localities and industry of the tools developed by the Alliance and successful model streamlining processes that increase the effective use of information technology in the nation’s building regulatory process.”

"By June," By June, 2002, the alliance had completed its organizational phase and developed several work products

WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE Appointed interim members Prepared first report to nation’s governors, state legislators and state CIO’s Modified Action Agenda to respond to events of 9-11 Expanded membership in Alliance Oversaw organizational meetings of Task Forces and placed on NCSBCS website Alliance minutes and work products Developed and submitted in April a  funding proposal to Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) at the White House Assembled models of streamlining practices that use information technology

WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE Developed a matrix and placed on Alliance portion of NCSBCS website  a “Listing of software currently available to state and local governments.” Began review and placement on website of  Model streamlining processes With assistance from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), initiated work on architecture for more efficient building regulatory systems at state and local levels of government Reviewed demonstrations of existing interoperable software and field inspection handheld devices (PDAs).

WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE (Continued) Drafted and distributed  outline of the components of a secure, nationwide, state-maintained database for first responders of as-built building designs, evacuation plans, and other key contact information for critical structures

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE WORK PRODUCTS Listing of software currently available  to state and local governments

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE From the Mission Statement…..   “To enable the nation’s construction industry to build faster, better, safer and at less cost…….” There’s more to the building process than design and construction….. Regulation O&M Renovation Tenant Work in Office & Commercial Buildings How to Improve the “Total Life-Cycle” Performance of Buildings?

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE Why are improvements needed? U.S. DOC studies show that U.S. construction industry productivity has fallen in comparison to other industrialized countries since 1970. Much of this is due to ineffective and error prone communication that causes tremendous waste and inefficiency equal to 30% of a building’s cost. This amounts to a potential annual savings of $240 billion.

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE How to Improve the ENTIRE Building Process Through I.T. Data/Information Organization Data/Information Translation Data/Information Transfer Data/Information Reliability Data/Information Updating How do we Make it Happen?

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE No one Organization or Sector can make this happen.  It will take all of us and our kids…..And, their kids. But, a little planning and organization will probably help. That’s the role and objective of one of the members of the Alliance.

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE The International Alliance for  Interoperability

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE What is the  The International Alliance for  Interoperability? IAI (North America) is one of ten IAI councils world-wide IAI’s mission is to develop and promote the use of global standards for the automated exchange of data among building-related computer applications.

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE What is “INTEROPERABILITY?” The automated and seamless exchange of electronic information and data among building process software programs. It will eliminate repetitive input of data in the computer programs used in the construction industry. It can automatically notify of changes in building-related data and information.

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE How does INTEROPERABILITY work? It uses a system called Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) to categorize information and data. It uses a computer language called XML to allow the seamless exchange of data. It employs a concept called “Object Oriented” to organize data.

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE Things I think I know about Interoperability…….. Its a concept that can help us achieve the Alliance’s goals. It will require a culture change to get the data exchange model widely used in the building community. In order for it to work, you will have to help.

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE More things I think I know about Interoperability…. It will allow A&Es to make COMPLETE electronic permit applications. It will allow Building & Fire Officials to COMPLETELY check permit drawings THE SAME DAY! It will allow inspectors to know when work they need to check is scheduled.

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE More things I think I know about Interoperability…. It will allow CADD, cost estimating, scheduling, spec. writing, code checking, maintenance & operation, budgeting and other building-related software to: Use what it needs of the same data Cross-check to eliminate errors Automatically update As-Builts, and Most of what we all do now, but faster and without errors!

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE More things I think I know about Interoperability…. Some lawyers may not like Interoperability. I don’t care! But, building owners, architects, engineers, code officials, contractors, product manufacturers, city councils, mayors and the public will like Interoperability. I do care about that!

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE If you would like to get involved in the Task Force or IAI, contact me at: (202) 289-7800 or dharris@nibs.org

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Authorized by the Congress in 1974 to address  regulatory, technological, information, and process issues affecting the building process.

NIBS’ Councils and Programs Building Seismic Safety Council (1981) Develops criteria that improve buildings’ resistance to earthquake forces. Building Environment & Thermal Envelope Council (1982) Addresses energy efficiency and environmental issues. Multihazard Mitigation Council (1997) Works to reduce costs associated with all building-related hazards.

NIBS’ Councils and Programs HAZUS (1992) Produced a GIS-based method for estimating losses from earthquake, wind and flood hazards for FEMA. National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities NIBS manages this website for the Department of Education. Website: www.nibs.org, includes links to each council/program website.

WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY PLANNING AND COORDINATING TASK FORCE Assisted in distributing outline of implementation plan for establishing the secure nationwide database for first responders Assisted in finalizing Alliance Funding Proposal to OSTP – April ’02 Began work on grant award criteria for national funding Reviewed and approved the creation of a fourth work group for the Alliance – an affordable housing task force to expedite use of information technology to improve the efficiency and lower the cost of regulation of housing at state/local level Reviewed model streamlining processes in alliance database Shared alliance work products with White House Office of Homeland Security and The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP)

EXAMPLE OF SAVINGS TO CONSUMERS, JURISDICTIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Streamlining Models in National Alliance Database

THE SECURE NATIONWIDE  STATE-MAINTAINED DATABASE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS      As Outlined by National Alliance Task Forces THE NEED: As evidenced by events at the World Trade Center  as first responders roll up on-site, they need immediate access to as-built designs, evacuation plans, and key contact information for buildings that are most likely to be targets of future terrorist attacks or major natural disasters

SECURE DATABASE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS  – THE NEED (Continued) Had such a database been in place, more lives would have been saved: First responders would have known towers ultimately could come down The command and control center wouldn’t have been located in the twin towers Communications between police, fire, and EMS would have been easier Efforts to fight the fire would have been shifted to evacuation only Support assistance from other jurisdictions would have been facilitated

ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSED DATABASE Information must be concise, accurate, available through redundant interoperable systems Easily understandable by diverse array of potential first responders and integrated with other first responder information needs (medical, etc.) -  Secure from access by anyone other than authorized parties Can be readily shared with neighboring jurisdictions across state lines – facilitating mutual aid agreements Is searchable to provide additional levels of detail on building when needed

ALLIANCE PROPOSAL ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED TO ESTABLISH SUCH A SECURE DATABASE Work with:  White House Office of Homeland Security, FEMA, State Homeland Security Directors, Alliance partners, first responders, construction healthcare and information technology communities to build and fund prototype.  Need for database described in National Strategy for Homeland Security released July 16, 2002.   -  Ensure that database meets true needs of First Responders, does not overwhelm with data, is secure and interoperable, available through redundant systems, and works across state lines.   -  Based upon successful prototype work with Federal, state and local governments and private sector to expand secure database nationwide for critical structures (high profile targets/buildings with large numbers of people or critical to infrastructure/public safety)

OTHER ALLIANCE ACTIVITIES FROM  JULY 2001 – JUNE 2002 Issued first annual report to nation’s governors, CIOs, state legislators

OTHER ALLIANCE ACTIVITIES (Continued) Articles in publications / presentations at national meetings Meetings with White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Presentation to McGraw-Hill Homeland Security Summit Meetings with Federal, state and local officials on the Alliance Prototype streamlining discussions with states of CA, KY, NY, OR, PA, VA, WA

OTHER ALLIANCE ACTIVITIES  (Continued) Alliance participation with The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) and Council on Competitiveness Website links between Alliance Partners and NCSBCS as Secretariat Alliance gathering and posting on website of additional streamlining models that use information technology Presentation on National Alliance to State Homeland Security Directors (Several alliance work products/concepts were included within the July 16, 2002 National Strategy for Homeland Security) Second Annual Report to governors, state legislators, CIOs,  building officials and construction community Planned Second National Forum on Building Smarter in the Digital Age – Louisville, KY, October 20-22, 2002

ACTION AGENDA ITEMS FOR COMING YEAR  SUMMER 2002 – SUMMER 2003 INITIATE WORK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE First meeting August  29, 2002

DRAFT MISSION STATEMENT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE “Provide mechanism for rapid dissemination to local and state building regulators, home builders, elected officials, and the public, information on, and set of work tools generated by, the National Alliance that lower the cost of residential construction through the effective use of information technology.” The Affordable Housing Task Force will coordinate these efforts with the ongoing efforts of the task force members, including the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH).  Initial products include:  draft guide to rural and suburban jurisdictions on how to streamline their building regulatory processes, and listing of available, permitting, plans review and inspection software.

ACTION AGENDA ITEMS FOR COMING YEAR (Continued) Continue work on prototype of secure nationwide state- maintained database for first responders (in coordination with White House, State Homeland Security Directors, and first responder and healthcare communities. Secure funding for full implementation of action agenda including streamlining and secure database grants for state and local governments Hold second National Forum on Building Smarter in the Digital Age, October 20 – 22, 2002, in Louisville, KY as a part of the NCSBCS 35th Annual Conference (to register, visit NCSBCS website at www.ncsbcs.org).  Demonstrations of available software.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE Build on and contribute to the recommendations of the National Alliance as they relate to housing affordability Facilitate the rapid dissemination of the National Alliance’s and the Task Force’s work products to the housing industry Coordinate these efforts with the ongoing work of Housing Task Force members at the state and local level and the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH)

WHY FOCUS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING? Regulations and regulatory procedures can drive up housing costs by up to 40% Regulations add direct costs due to unnecessarily high or complex standards Time is money: delays in the building process reduce supply and drive up costs indirectly High cost of regulations has a greater impact on lower end of the housing market Complexity and uncertainty are a disincentive to producing lower-cost, lower-margin housing types A 10% reduction in the cost of a starter home would increase the number of renters qualified to become homeowners by 1.45 million.               (Source: Fannie Mae Office of Economics, 2000)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEMBERS NCSBCS Fannie Mae USDA Rural Housing Service US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) National Fire Protection Association National Association of Home Builders Membership is open…

WHY IS FANNIE MAE INVOLVED? It’s our Mission! At Fannie Mae, we are in the American Dream Business. Our mission is to tear down barriers, lower costs, and increase the opportunities for homeownership and affordable rental housing for all Americans. Because having a safe place to call home strengthens families, communities, and our nation as a whole. Part of the Mortgage Consumer Rights Agenda of our American Dream Commitment “...the right to be free of regulatory burdens.”

FANNIE MAE’S REGULATORY BARRIERS INITIATIVE Increase industry focus on regulatory barriers to affordable housing National Alliance Affordable Housing Task Force Local partnerships Goal to establish an initiative in each state by the end of the decade Work through our network of 53 Partnership Offices Addresses range of issues: building codes & review processes, zoning, impact fees, taxation systems, etc.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE PLANNED WORK PRODUCTS Disseminate lists of available hardware and software, criteria for obtaining them, and funding mechanisms to support their use Demonstration projects of automation and streamlining systems Identify best practices and successful models Develop a guide for streamlining building regulatory processes for rural jurisdictions Gather data on the cost of regulations for residential construction Review grant criteria for federal funding to states and localities developed by Planning and Coordinating Task Force

AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE NEXT STEPS Second meeting planned for November 8 at Fannie Mae in DC All members of National Alliance are welcome to attend

ACTION AGENDA ITEMS FOR SUMMER 2002 – SUMMER 2003 (Continued) Implement in one or more states a prototype of the secure nationwide state-maintained database for first responders of as-built designs, evacuation plans and other critical information (construction, medical, HAZMAT, etc.) Expand contents of Alliance website to include: Listing of jurisdictions that use information technology hardware and software to streamline their building regulatory processes Contact names in each jurisdiction and information on how to fund similar efforts Evaluate criteria to determine cost savings from streamlining

ACTION AGENDA ITEMS FOR SUMMER 2002 – SUMMER 2003  (Continued) Develop effective statewide and local building regulatory system architecture and share with jurisdictions (In coordination with NASCIO) Promote streamlining of regulatory systems to facilitate mutual aid agreements between jurisdictions

ACTION AGENDA FOR SUMMER 2002 – SUMMER 2003  (Continued) Facilitate greater homeland security and economic competitiveness  by assisting state and local government adoption of uniform construction codes with  minimum technical amendments.  (e.g., Common energy codes facilitate retrofitting public buildings to reduce potential terrorist threats to air intake systems) Develop guidebooks for rural and urban/suburban communities to streamline their building regulatory processes using information technology Obtain and distribute federally funded grants to work with elected officials and the construction and information technology communities to streamline the building regulatory processes in several states and encourage uniform adoption of model construction and fire codes across the nation.

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THE CHALLENGES AND NEEDS ARE GREAT  AND TIME IS SHORT: HOMELAND SECURITY – PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE ECONOMIC RECOVERY COMPETITIVENESS HOUSING AFFORDABILITY GREATER EFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT

TO ASSIST THE ALLIANCE IN HELPING OUR NATION/COMMUNITIES ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY AND ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS : Share information on the National Alliance with:  elected and appointed officials in your state/ local community, with your construction and information technology industries, colleagues in your agency, association, company. Encourage the use of streamlined processes and Alliance products in your state/community. Provide information to the Alliance on  I.T. applications that  are effective in reducing the regulatory cost of construction and enhancing public safety. Participate in the Alliance’s Second National Forum on Building Smarter in the Digital Age in Louisville, Kentucky, October 20-22, 2002 to learn more about what information technology can do to enhance our community’s economic competitiveness and public safety.

ASSIST THE ALLIANCE IN HELPING OUR NATION AND YOUR STATE/COMMUNITY: Join the National Alliance as a Member or Affiliate and become active on one or more of the Alliance’s Task Forces Contact your construction community and elected officials to express your support for the funding and implementation of the National Alliance’s Action Agenda

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FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information on the Alliance, its Action Agenda, work products, and membership PLEASE VISIT THE NCSBCS WEBSITE: www.ncsbcs.org or contact Carolyn Fitch at NCSBCS,  703-437-0100, extension 238 /  cfitch@ncsbcs.org