International Code Council (ICC):

Partnering to Shape the Future of

Building Codes Globally

Mark Johnson, ICC

June 4, 2018

• ICC Background

• How ICC Codes are Developed

• Support Services for Code Users

• Demographic Trends Facing Building Industry

• Conclusion

What We Will Cover

• Nonprofit U.S. corporation

• Committed to making buildings safe to protect

people and property

• Develops building regulations used to design,

construct and maintain residential/commercial

buildings

• Headquartered in Washington DC

• 64,000 member organization with 383 Chapters

• Staff of more than 260 engineers, architects and

administrators

ICC Background

Development of ICC Codes

• Process used is Governmental

Consensus Process

• Over 3,000 code changes

submitted each cycle

• New edition of codes every

three years

• Important role of Code

Committees

• cdpACCESS:

• Automates the Code Development Process

• Expands participation

• Removes geographical barriers

• Reduces costs

• Allows greater collaboration

• Supports ICC’s global outreach

Development of ICC Codes

15 Codes for Building Safety

• Building Structure

• Fire & Life Safety

• Plumbing, Mechanical & Fuel Gas

• Energy Efficiency & Green Construction

• Swimming Pools & Spas

• Property Maintenance & Zoning

• Etc.

Development of Codes

• ICC Codes reference over 1,400

Standards addressing:

• Material Specifications

• Design Standards

• Testing Standards

• Installation Standards

• Standards referenced in ICC codes

developed through consensus process

such as ASTM or ANSI

Reference Standards

• Standards referenced in ICC codes still must

be approved through ICC’s Code

Development Process

• Nearly 40% of standards referenced are

produced by ASTM

Reference Standards

• 50 States + District of Columbia

• U.S. Territories

• Federal Agencies

• Middle East

• Mexico

• Caribbean Region

• Central America

• Eastern Europe

Where ICC Codes are Used

ICC Services: Ensuring a Balanced

Regulatory System

Building CodeRegulations

Effective Code Enforcement

Process• Open development process• Continuous• Input from all interested parties• Strong Technical Committees• Family of coordinated codes

Infrastructure• Plan review• Building inspection• Education and training• Certification • Building product evaluation• Accreditation• Support Publications

• 383 worldwide

• Regional

• State

• Local

• Global

• Student

ICC Resources: Formation of ICC

Chapters

• Chapters are comprised of code officials and industry professionals

run by volunteers

• Create partnerships with members of the building community

• Provide technical training on codes and standards at the local level

• Raise public awareness of the value of codes and standards

through education and outreach efforts

• Provide a forum for networking on issues affecting the building

community, job openings, etc.

• Collaborate on recommendations to improve codes and standards

ICC Resources: Formation of

International Chapters

ICC Student Membership Services Include:

• Access to code interpretations

• Complimentary code publication

• Use of ICC support services

• Discounts on technical publications and training

• Access to ICC’s online Building Safety Journal

• Open to any individual enrolled in classes or a course of

study equivalent to at least 3 credit hours of classroom

instruction per week

• $50 Annually

ICC Resources: Student Membership

ICC Resources: Training & Certification

of Personnel

Training &

Certification

• 44 Online Courses

• 70 Onsite Courses

• 430 Preferred

Training Providers

• 99 Certification

exam offerings

• 61,000 certified

individuals

ICC Resources: Publications

• Commentaries

• Significant Changes

• Study Companions

• Building Code Essentials

• Pocket/Inspectors Guides

PublicACCESS site: codes.iccsafe.org

Contains 2018/2015/2012/2009/2006/2003 I-Codes, ICC Standards,

State Codes, Haiti Building Code, Mexico Energy Code

ICC Resources Available: Public

Access to Codes and Standards

Key Features:

• Cloud-based

• Built in hyperlinks

• Enhanced search features

• Add notes, images, figures

• Versioning features

• Bookmarking

• Cut and paste

• Simo user feature

• Etc.

PREMIUM CLOUD BASED CODES AND STANDARDS SERVICE

ICC Resources: Enhanced Online Cloud

Based Subscription to Codes/Standards

ICC Commissioned NIBS Survey

• 3,850 respondents covering 50 states

• Typical respondent between ages of 55 and 64

• 56% surveyed were over the age of 55 (84% over 45)

• Salary of respondent ranged between $50,000 and $75,000

• 51% surveyed indicated they plan to leave the profession

between 5 to 15 years

• Great recession of 2008 drove many from the industry due to

massive layoffs

• Demand for code officials is growing, supply is dwindling

Industry Trends/Outlook for

Inspectors/Code Officials

ICC Member Profile: 2014 ICC

Survey

• Average age: Mid to Late fifties

• Between 26 to 35 years experience in building

industry

• 82% percent plan to leave industry within 15

years

– Of that 82%: 31% plan to leave within 5 years

Plans to Retire

19

Employment Trends/Outlook

Key Takeaways• We will have a serious shortage of Code Officials/Inspectors • Organic growth will not solve this impending problem• Many who have left the industry due to the past recession (layoffs)

are not coming back• Wages are driven by supply and demand creating upward pressure

on wages• Trend for outsourcing certain Building Department activities will

increase (reliance on third parties)• The building industry in general is experiencing similar trends• Complexity of codes/standards is demanding more specialization

ICC Programs to Help Address

Challenges

• High School Technical Training Program (HSTTP)• Get Codes introduced in High School Curricula

• Four disciplines (Bldg, Elect, Mech, Plbg)

• Successful passing of exam leads to Certificate of Achievement (COA)

• Over 50 High Schools participating

• Safety 2.0 – Building Careers for Today’s Generation

• Launched at 2yrs ago at the 2016 Annual Business Meeting

• Creation of new Emerging Leaders Membership Council

• Focus communication and participation towards millennials

• Mentoring through shadowing

• ICC Chapter outreach

• Emerging Leaders Membership Council• A way for young professionals to learn and participate in

the Code Council

• Forum for those new to the building safety profession

• Provide feedback regarding ways to best serve the needs of this next generation of professionals

Effective Building Regulatory System

Accreditation

Access to

Resources

Sufficient

Staffing

Codes & Standards

Development

Process

Training &

Certification

of Personnel

Supportive

Community

Leaders

Mark Johnson

Executive Vice President

Western Regional Office

3060 Saturn Street, Suite 100

Brea, CA 92821

mjohson@iccsafe.org

888-422-7233 x3248

THANK YOU!