On March 9, 2009 the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council held its first meeting and will soon begin reviewing the 2009 ICC Codes. The Pennsylvania Construction Code is comprised of the following ICC Codes with modifications:
2006 ICC Electrical Code (utilizing National Electric Code 2005)
2006 International Building Code
2006 International Residential Code
2006 International Energy Conservation Code
2006 International Plumbing Code
2006 International Mechanical Code
2006 International Fire Code (as referenced in the IBC 2006)
2006 International Existing Building Code
2006 International Fuel Gas Code (LPG requirements per PA Propane and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act)
2006 International Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities
2006 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code
Governor Edward G. Rendell established the council on February 10, 2009 when he signed into law Act 106 of 2008. The council is comprised of 19 members appointed by the Governor. The appointees are as follows:
Ray Cudwadie, Director Commercial Sales, Excel Homes
Stefanie J. H. English, PE, Project Manager, Larson Design Group, Inc.
Michael E. Fink, Philadelphia
Donald C. Forry, Building Code Official, MCP, Lancaster
Kathryn Forry, Building Inspection Underwriters of PA, BCO at Stroud Township
Frank Halderman, President, Bellefonte Borough Council
Carl J. Handman, AIA, Eyerman, Csala, Hapeman & Handman Architects
John E. Kampmeyer, PE, Triad Fire Protection Engineering Corporation
Joseph F. Maida, Maida Engineering, Inc.
Ausmus S. Marburger, President, Fire Protection Industries, Inc.
Sergei C. Matveiev, Bureau Director and BCO for the City of Pittsburgh
Dallas L. Miller, AIA, LEED AP, Haas Building Solutions, Inc.
Joseph Mingioni, Mingioni Construction Inc., Treasurer, Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties
The Honorable Salvatore J. Panto Jr., Mayor of Easton
Douglas Rehak, Freeport
Alfred J. Speicher, Wilkes-Barre
Frank C. Thompson, Zelienople
Gregory Walker, Central City
Deborah A. Waller, P.E., Fire Marshal, Township of Upper St. Clair
On Monday, March 9, 2009, the council elected Frank Thompson as Chairman and Donald Forry as Vice Chairman. Thompson is president of Sweetwater Builders, Inc. and an active member of the Pennsylvania Builders Association. Forry is Director of Code Compliance for Manheim Township and President of the Lancaster County Code Association.
The anticipated duration of this review is six weeks and will include changes made in the 2009 editions of the ICC codes and consideration of testimony and public proposals. The Council will then make recommendations to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, the General Assembly and the Governor regarding proposed changes to the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act. All meetings will be held at the Labor & Industry Building, 651 Boas Street, Harrisburg, PA 17121. The Council has established the following meeting dates and agenda topics:
April 2, 2009, 10 AM to 5 PM, Room E-100
Topics: IEBC, IECC, IPC: Review of changes for consideration
April 8, 2009, 10 AM to 5 PM, Room A, 12th Fl
Topics: IFGC, IMC, IWUIC: Review of changes for consideration
April 16, 2009, 10 AM to 5 PM, Room E-100
Topic: To be decided at April 2 meeting
April 22, 2009, 10 AM to 5 PM, Room A, 12th Floor
Topic: To be decided at April 2 meeting
April 30, 2009, 10 AM to 5 PM, Room E-100
Topic: To be decided at April 2 meeting
The Council will consider recommendations that are submitted to the Chairman no later than seven days in advance of the meeting, at which the specific I-Code will be considered. Public comments will be accepted at the designated meetings for a specific I-Code. Comments will be limited to five minutes per individual and should present new information on the advisability of excluding or not excluding a particular code change. Written proposals should include:
1. Citation of the ICC code change number and cycle (06/07 or 07/08)
2. A copy of the code change and final ICC action
3. Substantiation why the particular code change is proposed
Proposal substantiation should include the following factors listed in Act 106 of 2008:
1. The impact that the provisions may have upon the health, safety and welfare of the public.
2. The economic reasonableness and financial impact of the provisions.
3. The technical feasibility of the provisions.
4. The provisions of Section 102 of the act.
Proposals can be e-mailed to ra-uccrac@state.pa.us or mailed to:
Director
Bureau of Occupational & Industrial Safety
PA Department of Labor & Industry
651 Boas Street, Room 1613
Harrisburg, PA 17121
Contact Gil Moniz: gilmoniz@nema.org