WABO Technical Code Development (TCD) Committee

Participation in the ICC Public Comment Hearings in Long Beach, CA

Report by Lee Kranz, WABO TCD Chair

WABO TCD had several public comments advance to the next round during the PCH in Long Beach for inclusion in the 2018 I-Codes.  Eight of the approximately sixteen public comments we submitted were supported by the building and fire code officials in attendance.  Some of the more important or interesting changes discussed include the creation of regulations for occupied roofs (G24), an exception for individual fire protection of columns in light frame construction (FS7), the addition of medical gas  construction provisions in the IBC (G127) and inclusion of a new definition for efficiency dwelling units (G191).  There were several other significant changes, many of which will be included in the WABO TCD Voting Guide scheduled to be released soon. 

There were a total of 12 WABO members able to make it for all or part of the hearings in Long Beach, including four WABO Officers and four Committee Chairs.  WABO also funded six scholarship attendees who were fully engaged in listening to the testimony, voting and attended post hearing TCD breakout meetings. 

A WABO Voting Guide will be published on the website for you to use during the cdpACCESS on-line voting period of approximately October 21 to November 3rd.  If you are an ICC registered voter for your jurisdiction, you can go to:  https://cdpaccess.com/ to vote during the voting period.    We are hoping to have the Voting Guide available to members by October 14 and encourage you to use it as an aid in your decision making. 

WABO TCD continues to have a strong presence on the national code development scene and is sought after by many other interested parties to collaborate on improving the code through code development.   We invite all WABO members to join us and participate as much or as little as you like. 

Scholarship Winner Reports

Todd Blevins, Walla Walla County

First, I would like to thank WABO for this great opportunity to participate in the code hearings in Long Beach. Without this scholarship my jurisdiction would not have been able to afford me the opportunity to attend.

Secondly, I would like to thank the other WABO members in attendance for making me feel a part of the organization during our time there. It was greatly appreciated. Being involved in the code hearings and beginning to understand the complexities of this code we use and enforce in this profession has had an impact on how I approach code interpretation within my own jurisdiction. Without the feedback and the breakout sessions afterwards, with those around me, I would not have grasped the intricacies of many of the issues we voted on.

Overall, seeing the dedication that WABO presented encourages me to continue to be a part of this great group of people. To be able to continue as a member and have a small part in influencing the outcome of the next cycle of codes for our state and its various jurisdictions is very rewarding and again I say, thank you!

Joe Kiefer, Stevens County

Thank you for the scholarship opportunity to attend the Long Beach ICC Code Hearings Event. I have been to a few of the WABO Spring Education Institutes in SeaTac, but nothing like the Annual Code Hearings.  I appreciate WABO encouraging the next generation of code officials.  This industry can be very intimidating to any professional new to the code process.  When I hear resumes upwards of 30 and 40 years of experience and process the fact that I am only on 2.5 of 25, its quite overwhelming.  I know the key to success is to surround myself with people smarter than I am. I felt a bit like General Custer, but oddly enough, these people weren’t hostile. What encouraged me the most is that many veteran code officials and experts gladly extend an invitation, offer insight, discuss challenges, and guided me through a tsunami of information in an enjoyable manner. 

WABO was very instrumental in leading me through the code hearing and comment process by printing out priorities and encouraging participation in the vote.  Confusing in language, ie:“disagree to disapprove the amendment as modified by public comment no. 3”, colleagues came along side to decipher the lingo, and translate how the next code cycle might affect me in our little county of NE Washington State.  A week of code, networking, exposition, education and code hearings is no vacation as I quickly discovered, but what an encouragement to make a difference and be part of a change in the process that I am invested in.  The first years of code enforcement can be frustrating to a “first timer” trying to enforce the code or interpret a rule made from somewhere long ago in a galaxy far, far away.

It was refreshing to know that I could vote in support for a code change written by  WABO members that obviously have the respect of their peers on a national platform.  To experience a vote for a code change coming down to a single voter’s decision proved that being involved makes a difference. This was an amazing opportunity and the exposure to the process has only fueled further desire to continue certifications, get further involved in an industry where we can influence change, become involved and become the kind of code professionals I wish I had when I was on the other side of the counter.  Thanks again.

Thomas Phillips, City of Kirkland

This was my first ICC ABM and code hearing.  I made many contacts from around the country that may be able to help WABO in the future.  I also learned how the ICC code making process worked.  It is a very impressive and efficient process, although steady work as the hearings were scheduled from 8 am to 7 pm every day.  Those of us from WABO sat together and collaborated on the issues.  We were successful in getting about half of WABO’s priorities approved, and hope to improve on that during the upcoming voting.  Much thanks and appreciation is given to Jon, Lee, Maureen and the other active TCD members that did most of the prep work for the hearings.