State Building Code Offices

March, 2009 AMD Millwork Magazine

AMD members: Get Ready for the International Code Council 2009/2010 Code Development!

Can you believe that The International Code Council code development process is starting up again! It just seems as though we had defeated S141 a few months ago. It is strange and it’s because the ICC is revising in development timeline. Let me explain:

The International Code Council is revising the Code Development Process after several years of input from membership and industry. Highlights of the plan include:

• Maintaining the 3-year publication cycle
• Maintaining the ICC Governmental Consensus Process
• Dividing the codes into two groupings, with each grouping having Code Development and Final Action Hearings occurring in the spring and fall of the same year during the first two years of the publication cycle
• An unveiling of all the new codes at the Annual Conference in the third year 
• Holding Code Development Hearings at the same central location every April/May
• Holding all Final Action Hearings at the Annual Conference at locations which will continue to rotate through the four quadrants of the U.S. in late October/early November.

The primary goals were to reduce hearing length and increase participation. The features of the plan address the most frequently voiced concerns:

• Reduce the length of the hearings, in total days and in daily sessions
• Increase participation
• Maintain the importance of in-person attendance
• Increase the importance of a successful assembly action at the Code Development Hearings
• Maintain or increase educational offerings
• Schedule Code Development and Final Action Hearings at about the same time every year.

Here are some dates for this year’s process

• Public proposal form: Code changes due June 1, 2009
• Code Development Hearings (Baltimore). Will be held in October 2009.
• Submit public comments on the Code Development Hearings by February 12, 2010.
• Final Action Hearings (TBD).

We are going to busy! And as in the past, both the Code Development and Final Action Hearings will be webcast.

What does this mean to AMD? I am glad you asked. This cycle we will be more involved than ever before, AMD will likely support some AAMA code proposals and may even offer one or two of our own. I will keep up up-to-date as we move forward. We must be prepared for the possible re-introduction of the removal of the side hinged exterior door exemption from  the codes or something else. We are keeping a eye on this and other issues for our members.

If you would like to be more involved in our codes and standards activity, please contact  mail@amdweb.com. We need technical expertise with regard to doors slabs, hinges, locksets, thresholds, door jambs and glazing. AMD continues to shape its destiny as a leader in our industry, please be a part!

See you next time.