SUMMARY
NCSBCS Private Sector Members Important Issues Teleconference
January 29, 2005 – Noon EST
TOPIC: "Successful Strategies for Helping Jurisdictions Update Their Codes & Resolve Conflicts Between Adopted Codes"
Participants:
Don Boehmer, Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Jay Peters, IAPMO
Barbara Larson, Oliver Technologies
Russ Chaney, IAPMO
Nancy McNabb, NFPA
Bill McKinstry, Kamco Products
Carolyn Stone, ASID
Elaine Thompson, Allied Tube & Conduit
Joe Andre, NEMA
Jim Ranfone, AGA
Bruce Hunn, ASHRAE
Austin Primiano, GAMA
Robert Wible, NCSBCS
At noon on January 29, 2005, NCSBCS Private Sector voting member, Don Boehmer, welcomed all participants to the first call of 2005.
Background
Mr. Boehmer provided background on the objective of the day’s call. He noted that perhaps out of the afternoon’s discussion there would be a recommendation for NCSBCS to develop a white paper on the topic, "Successful Strategies for Helping Jurisdictions Update Their Codes & Resolve Conflicts Between Adopted Codes."
He added that private sector members have expressed interest in this subject area. He noted that the problem has been that many jurisdictions are not updating their codes as frequently as they have in the past. Even when jurisdictions do adopt codes, there has been an increasing problem of conflict between the technical contents among the codes they adopt.
Several members on the call noted their interest in eliminating such conflicts and opened up discussions to successful strategies to address the problem. ASHRAE’s representative described their efforts to work with both the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council to assure that ASHRAE’s energy conservation standards were adequately included within their documents. Other successful approaches were discussed.
Several members noted their interest in seeing the ICC and NFPA resolve their past differences and produce a coordinated family of construction codes for the nation. It was noted that such an effort would reduce the code conflict and end needless confusion and complexity for the construction industry.
Update on Code Adoptions
In response to questions from the attendees, Jay Peters and Russ Chaney from IAPMO and Nancy McNabb from NFPA offered their views on the progress being made in California and New York City in the adoption of their organizations’ respective plumbing and building codes.
General Discussion
There was a general discussion on the objectives of the important issues calls. Several members noted that they would like to be able to participate on some of the public sector important issues calls as well. Mr. Wible indicated he would take that request to the NCSBCS Board for their consideration.
The participants also discussed the need for assistance in coming up with best practices that can help industry and building departments work together to reduce internal conflicts between the codes jurisdictions’ adopt. It also was noted that several members were interested in seeing if NCSBCS could assist in tracking and reporting to members the various power company energy conservation incentive programs. Mr. Wible noted that he would look into that matter and get back to the members.
There being no further items to come before the private sector members, Mr. Boehmer thanked everyone for their participation on the call.
The next call will be scheduled in March or April and the subject will be announced in the March Member e-Bulletin.