Codes update, Vol. 14, no. 1 (Spring 2012)

Georgia Department of Community Affairs Construction Codes & Industrialized Buildings 60 Executive Park South, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30329-2231 404-679-3118 www.dca.ga.gov Volume 14, Number 1 Spring 2012

BUILDING SAFETY MONTH
On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Governor Nathan Deal signed a proclamation declaring May 2012 as Building Safety Month in Georgia.
Front row (left to right):
Cherri Watson, Georgia Branch, Associated General Contractors (AGC); Marci Reed American Institute of Architects (AIA) Georgia; Patricia Wheeler, Mayor Stone Mountain; Morgan Wheeler, Past President Region 8 International Code Council (ICC), SCAC Member and Building Official Walton County; Governor Nathan Deal; Ted Miltiades, DCA Director of Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings; Carl Fortson, Building Official Tifton-Tift County; Phil McMahan ICC Region 8 Governmental Relations Manager
2nd row from front (left to right):
Susan Carpenter, Building Inspector City of Suwanee; Kenrick Higa, AIA; Gene Tompkins, Tifton-Tift County; Rusi Patel, Georgia Municipal Association (GMA); Gregori Anderson, Building Official Chatham County
3rd row from front (left to right):
Joey Davenport, Building Officials Association of Georgia (BOAG) Director and Building Official Lee County; Mark Rice, 2nd Vice President BOAG and Building Official City of Kennesaw; Hal Cosper, BOAG President and Building Official City of Marietta; Tim Williams, Home Buildings Association of Georgia (HBAG) and SCAC Chairman; David Ellis, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association Executive Officer
Back row (left to right):
Dwayne Garriss, Georgia State Fire Marshal and SCAC Member; Tom Carty, Retired Building Official Peachtree City; Monroe Herrin, Tifton-Tift County; Bert Locker Jr., RPA; Mark Schroeder, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)

COMMISSIONER BEATTY SELECTS STATE CODES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Commissioner Mike Beatty has selected the State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) for the next term. The State Codes Advisory Committee plays a major role in the development and review of the State Construction Codes. The committee is made up of 21 members who are experts in the various codes and who are chosen to represent the diverse interests of Citizens, Builders, Codes Enforcement Officials, Designers, and other groups. The Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner and the Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources, or their designees, are ex officio members of the Advisory Committee. The remaining members are appointed by the Commissioner. The SCAC advises the DCA Board on the adoption of any new Code Editions and/or Amendments. The current term for a member is a four-year appointment, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015. The following individuals have been selected to serve:

Mr. Rex Pless, representing Structural Engineers Mr. Morgan Wheeler, representing Code Enforcement Officials Mr. Gregori Anderson, representing Code Enforcement Officials Mr. William Duck, Jr., representing Code Enforcement Officials Mr. Gregg Johnson, representing the Profession of Mechanical Engineers Mr. Ryan Taylor, representing the Profession of Architecture Mr. Robert Maddox, representing Electrical Engineers Mr. Jerry Benton, representing the Manufactured Homes Industry Mr. Mike Bean, representing Licensed Electrical Contractors Mr. Chuck Mailloux, representing Building Material Dealers Mr. Dan Bramlett, representing Conditioned Air Contractors Mr. Dwayne Garriss, designee, the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner Mr. Iby George, representing Local Fire Officials

Mr. Tim Williams, Chairman, representing the Home Builders
Mr. William Guinade, Vice President, representing Licensed Plumbing Contractors

Mr. David Adams, representing Local Fire Officials
Mr. Erik Hotton, Jr., designee, Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner

Mr. Joel Rodriguez, Secretary, representing Code Enforcement Officials Mr. Windell Peters, designee, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Mr. Tom Collins, representing the Industrialized Building Industry

The officers for the SCAC for 2012-2013 are Tim Williams, Chairman; William Guinade, Vice Chairman; and Joel Rodriguez, Secretary. They will serve two years in this capacity.

Mr. William Lusk, representing General Contractors
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Commissioner Beatty and staff would like to thank all those organizations and individuals who were interested in serving on the SCAC. DCA is always seeking individuals to serve in various capacities and individuals may be selected for future public service. If you need additional information, please contact Ted Miltiades, Director, at 404-679-3118 or at ted.miltiades@dca. ga.gov.
2012 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE TASK FORCE UPDATE
On February 16, the 2012 International Residential Code Task Force was charged with reviewing the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) and any proposed state amendments, to replace the current 2006 IRC as the State Minimum Standard Code for One and Two Family Dwellings.

DISASTER RESILIENT BUILDING CODE APPENDICES TASK FORCE
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has been awarded a grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop new disaster resilient building code (DRBC) appendices for the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Building Code (IRC). On February 9, 2012 a task force of stake holders were appointed and charged with the development of the new appendices. The Task Force is looking for opportunities to improve any provisions relating to hurricane, flood, and tornado disasters. In addition to improving existing provisions in the codes, the Task Force may also develop new provisions to be included in the appendices that address these issues. The appendices will contain increased construction requirements for disaster resilience and are intended to be optional appendices that local jurisdictions in the State of Georgia may adopt through local ordinance in whole or part.

The Task Force was comprised of nine members representing the residential construction industry in the state of Georgia, including building officials and homebuilders. The Task Force met six times and completed a thorough review of all 44 Chapters and 17 Appendices of the new 2012 IRC; and also considered 68 existing GA amendments to the current 2006 IRC to carry forward.
A final task force report with recommendations regarding the adoption of the new 2012 IRC and any approved proposed amendments will be presented to the State Codes Advisory Committee at their next scheduled meeting to be held on July 26. The tentative effective date for the new 2012 IRC and any approved state amendments will be January 1, 2014.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Bill Towson, DCA Staff Task Force Liaison, at (404) 679-3109 or bill.towson@ dca.ga.gov.
2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC) TASK FORCE

The appendices shall have reasonable and substantial connection with the public health, safety, and general welfare. In addition, the financial impact and costs associated with these appendices are being taken into consideration.
The Task Force is comprised of 19 members representing such groups as the American Institute of Architects, American Council of Engineering Companies of GA, Code Consultants, Home Builders Association of Georgia, Georgia State Inspectors Association, Building Officials Association of Georgia, Local Fire Officials, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Floodplain Management Office, HUD Region IV, Georgia Underwriting Association, Georgia Association of Realtors, Building Owners and Managers Association of GA, Georgia Apartment Association, Georgia ADA Coordinator's Office, Georgia Municipal Association, and the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.
The Task Force is in the process of reviewing the draft documents and will present a final report at the July 26, 2012, State Codes Advisory Committee meeting. The appendices will be made available for adoption January 1, 2013.

On February 15, 2012, the International Building Code Task Force was charged with reviewing the 2012 International Building Code and any proposed amendments, in order to replace the 2006 International Building Code for the State Minimum Standard Codes. The Task Force included nine members representing pertinent organizations in the construction industry; the organizations represented were Buildings Officials Association of Georgia, Georgia Apartment Association, American Institute of Architects, Associated General Contractors, American Council of Engineering Companies, Building Owners and Managers of Atlanta, the State Fire Marshal's Office, and members from the State Codes Advisory Committee.

After approval of the recommendations from the task force and the State Codes Advisory Committee, the state will develop and conduct a comprehensive training program for code enforcement officials on the importance, implementation and enforcement of disaster resilient building code appendices. For more information or to be placed on the interested parties list, contact Dee Leclair at 404-327-7909 or dee.leclair@dca.ga.gov
MARK YOUR 2012 CALENDAR
JUNE 11 14 National Fire Prevention Association Conference and Exposition
Las Vegas, NV

Task Force members were mindful that any revision or amendment of the 2012 International Building Code shall have reasonable and substantial connection with the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community. In addition, the financial impact and costs associated with the proposed changes were carefully taken into consideration.
The Task Force has finalized their review of the 2012 International Building Code and will present a final report and recommendation at the July 26, State Codes Advisory Committee meeting. After approval of the recommendations from the Task Force and the State Codes Advisory Committee, the 2012 IBC is tentatively scheduled for an effective date of January 1, 2014.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Calvin Jordan, DCA Staff Task Force Liaison, at (404) 679-1739 or calvin.jordan@ dca.ga.gov.

JULY 15-19 Georgia State Inspectors Association St. Simons, GA 18-20 Georgia International Association of Electrical Inspectors
St. Simons, GA 26 State Codes Advisory Committee Meeting at DCA
OCTOBER 2128 International Code Council Annual Conference Portland, OR 24-26 ATC-SEI Advances in Hurricane Engineering Miami, FL
NOVEMBER 14-16 GreenBuild Conference San Francisco, CA
If you have any meetings that you would like to include in this newsletter, please contact the Construction Codes Program at 404-679-3118. 2

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY PLUMBING FIXTURES AND COOLING TOWERS
(SB 370 - Effective on July 1, 2012)
1. Requirements for high efficiency plumbing fixtures. On or after July 1, 2012, in accordance with O.C.G.A. Section 8-2-3(a), the installation of high efficiency plumbing fixtures are required in all new construction. This includes both residential and commercial installations.
Note: The requirements for high efficiency plumbing fixtures resulted from Senate Bill 370 which was enacted into State law in July 2010 with a delayed effective date of July 1, 2012.
2. Definitions of High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures:
Single flush water closet. A single flush water closet or toilet, including gravity, pressure assisted, and electrohydraulic tank types, which the average flush volume does not exceed 1.28 gallons and is listed to the Water Sense Tank-Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification. Single flush toilets shall also comply with the flush volume testing requirements of ASME A112.192/CSA B45.1-2008 or ASME A112.19.14-2006.
Dual flush water closet. A dual flush water closet or toilet which the average flush volume of two reduced flushes and one full flush does not exceed 1.28 gallons and is listed to the WaterSense Tank-Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification. Dual-flush toilets shall comply with the flush volume testing requirements of ASME A112.19.2-2008 and ASME A112.19.14-2006.
Urinal. A urinal and associated flush valve that uses no more than 0.5 gallons of water per flush and is listed to the WaterSense Specification for Flushing Urinals. Urinals shall also comply with the flush volume testing requirements of ASME A112.19.2/CSA 45.1.
Nonwater urinal. A urinal that discharges into the sanitary drainage system but is not supplied by a water distribution system. Non-water urinals shall conform to ASME A112.19.3 CSA/ B45.4 or A112.19.19/CSA B45. Where non-water urinals are employed, they shall be cleaned and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions after installation and have a properly sized water distribution line roughed-in to the urinal location at a minimum height of 56 inches (1,422 mm) to allow for the installation of an approved backflow prevention devise in the event of a retrofit. Note: Nonwater urinals are not required to be WaterSense listed.
Lavatory faucet or lavatory replacement aerator. A lavatory faucet or lavatory replacement aerator that allows a flow of no more than 1.5 gallons per minute at a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch and is listed to the WaterSense High Efficiency Lavatory Faucet Specification.
Kitchen faucet or kitchen faucet replacement aerator. A kitchen faucet or kitchen replacement aerator that allows a flow of no more than 2.0 gallons of water per minute. Note. Kitchen faucets or kitchen faucet replacement aerators are not required to be WaterSense listed.
Shower head. A shower head that allows a flow of no more than the average of 2.5 gallons of water per minute at 60 pounds per square inch of pressure. Note. Shower heads are not required to be WaterSense listed.
WaterSense. A voluntary program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to identify and promote water efficient products and practices.
3. R equirements for flushometer valves and tanks. On or after July 1, 2012, flushometer valves and flushometer tanks for commercial type toilets or water closets shall have an average flush volume that does not exceed 1.28 gallons. Flushometer valves are not required to be WaterSense listed. However, Flushometer (pressure assist) toilets or water closet tanks must be listed to the Water Sense Tank-Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification.
4. Sale of non-high efficiency toilets or water closets. After July 1, 2012, in accordance with O.C.G.A. 8-2-3(j), the sale of a gravity tank type, flushometer valve or flushometer tank toilet or water closet that uses more than an average of 1.28 gallons of water per flush is prohibited in Georgia.
5. High Efficiency Cooling Towers. On or after July 1, 2012, all new high efficiency cooling towers must be of the high efficiency type (commercial use). A cooling tower means a building heat removal device. Cooling towers shall comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2007 as adopted by the Department.
6. Waiver for exemption to the requirements of high efficiency plumbing fixtures. On or after July 1, 2012, in accordance with O.C.G.A. Section 8-2-3, counties and municipalities are permitted to adopt an ordinance which shall provide procedures and requirements to apply for an exemption to the requirements of subsection (c) of this Code section, relative to new construction and to the repair or renovation of an existing building, under the following conditions:
1) When the repair or renovation of the existing building does not include the replacement of the plumbing or sewage system servicing toilets, faucets, or shower heads within such existing building;
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Q: Is the State of Georgia planning on

On or after July 1, 2012, in accordance with O.C.G.A. Section

adopting any new editions of State Minimum Standard Codes in the near

8-2-3(a), the installation of high

future? If so, when are the effective

efficiency plumbing fixtures are required in all new construction.

dates?

This includes both residential and A: Yes, the State of Georgia is planning to adopt the 2012 International

commercial installations.

Plumbing Code, 2012 International Mechanical Code, 2012 International

Fuel Gas Code, 2012 International Building Code, 2012 International

Residential Code, and the 2012 International Fire Code. All of these

codes have a tentative scheduled effective date of January 1, 2014.

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2) When such plumbing or sewerage system within such existing building, because of its capacity, design, or installation, would not function properly if the toilets, faucets, or shower heads required were installed;
3) When such system is a well or gravity flow from a spring and is owned privately by an individual for use in such individual's personal residence; or 4) When units to be installed are:
a. Specifically designed for use by person with disabilities; b. Specifically designed to withstand unusual abuse or installation in a penal institution; or c. Toilets for juveniles Look for the WaterSense label on all new residential plumbing fixtures installed after July 1, 2012. For more information about the EPA WaterSense Program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/. A copy of SB 370 with the new state law requirements for high efficiency plumbing fixtures and cooling towers is available for downloading from the Georgia General Assembly's website located at: http://www1.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/ versions/sb370_SB370_APP_8.htm. The State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code has been amended by DCA to include the SB 370 new requirements for high efficiency plumbing fixtures and cooling towers. Refer to the 2012 GA State Amendments to the 2006 International Plumbing Code (IPC) which can be downloaded free at: http://www.dca. state.ga.us/development/constructioncodes/programs/codeAmendments.asp If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact DCA Construction Codes Office at (404) 679-3118 or constructioncodes@dca.ga.gov.
LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT PILOT STUDY
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) served on a steering committee for the Local Building Department Pilot Study with other industry stakeholders. Southface Energy Institute conducted the study with assistance from the Building Energy Codes Program (BECP). The study's purpose was to evaluate the permitting and inspection process of a local building department and make recommendations for streamlining such processes. The local building department's administrative operations, revenue stream, permits and inspections procedures were evaluated to determine ways to fund improved energy code compliance. The study also looked at the best management practices of other jurisdictions located within and outside the state and made recommendations for implementing these best management practices in Georgia. DCA provided access to a large network of contacts and a wide berth of expertise in order to facilitate the pilot study. DCA and The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) met with the Building Officials Association of Georgia (BOAG) Board of Directors to get "buy-in" on the local Building Department, Permitting and Inspection Process Pilot Study and assisted Southface with the selection of an appropriate representative jurisdiction for evaluation. The outcome of the study was a final report with findings and development of a set of best management practices or guidelines which will be made available for all local building departments to voluntarily incorporate into their local administrative procedures and building code enforcement ordinances. DCA will distribute and promote the final copy of the Best Management Practice Guidelines to all local jurisdictions throughout the state. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the DCA Construction Codes Office at (404) 679-3118 or constructioncodes@dca.ga.gov.
MICHIGAN'S DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS VISITS GEORGIA
The State of Michigan recently developed a new office, the Office of Regulatory Reinvention, charged with reviewing the current state's rules and regulations. Their goal is to create a regulatory environment that is simple, fair, efficient, and transparent, and supports business growth and job creation. In pursuit of their mission their office has assembled a team of delegates to travel to top ranking states to learn how other states run their state government programs. The group focus for their trip to Georgia was to gather information for their Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The group began their visit at the Department of Community Affairs where they were given a detailed presentation by Ted Miltiades, Director of the DCA Office of Construction Codes and Morgan Wheeler, Building Official of Walton County. The presentation focused on the annual Building Codes Cycle that Georgia uses to facilitate the state building code adoption and amendment process. The topics covered were: state and local government responsibilities, staffing, regulation consistency, public transparency, timelines, technology, dashboard and measurements, and specific regulatory requirements. After visiting DCA the delegates met at the Gwinnett County Planning and Development Office to learn about the Gwinnett County Building Inspection Program. Building Inspections Manager Joel Rodriguez was pleased to host the team and showcase Gwinnett County's Building Inspections Program and to answer any questions. The Gwinnett County Office staff attending the meeting included Permits Supervisor Shlaine Collins and Development Review Manager Mike Jenness. The Michigan delegates were very impressed with the programs at both DCA and the Gwinnett County Planning and Development Office. The Department of Community Affairs and Gwinnett County Planning and Development Office enjoyed the privilege of sharing their experiences with the Michigan delegates and felt the experience was beneficial to everyone involved.
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NEW EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM FOR DUCT AND ENVELOPE TIGHTNESS (DET) EQUIPMENT RENTALS
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is assisting the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) with implementation of a new Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) testing equipment loan program for Georgia. GEFA is providing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for DCA to purchase new blower door and duct leakage test equipment kits which will be made available statewide for anyone to rent and use locally. DCA is working in conjunction with the Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG) to administer the new DET rental equipment loan program.
HBAG will be responsible for developing a standardized equipment rental program in conjunction with their local Home Builder Associations (HBAs). The DET testing equipment purchased by DCA will be distributed to 18 different local HBAs in Georgia and will be available for public rental to HBAG members and non-members alike. The equipment rental fee will be set at no more than $100 per day and $150 per weekend. HBAG will also design and host an interactive DET webpage for renting blower door and duct leakage testers. The webpage will include an online application form and rental reservation system, helpful information about the DET testing requirements, and where or how to find a certified DET verifier to perform the required residential tests in your area. Visit www.hbag.org for a list of local HBA offices that will have DET blower door and duct leakage testing kits available for rent.
For questions and additional assistance regarding the DET testing equipment loan program, please contact Kelly Lass with HBAG at 404-7632453 or klass@hbag.org

WEB SITES OF INTEREST
Department of Community Affairs www.dca.ga.gov
International Code Council (ICC) www.iccsafe.org
Building Officials Association of Georgia www.boagcodes.org
State of Georgia www.georgia.gov
Georgia General Assembly www.legis.ga.gov
State Fire Marshal www.gainsurance.org
Southface Energy Institute www.southface.org
Licensing Board/Secretary of State www.sos.ga/gov/plb
Governor's Office of Consumer Protection www.consumer.georgia.gov/portal/site/OCP/
Georgia Flood Map www.georgiadfirm.com
Georgia Emergency Management Agency/ Homeland Security www.gema.ga.gov
StormReady National Weather Service www.stormready.noaa.gov

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The following bills were passed in the 2012 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly:
HB 93 "Code Enforcement Officer"
This bill changes "Code Inspector" and its definition "any authorized agent or employee of the county or municipality whose duty it is to assure code
compliance."
The new term and definition are "Code Enforcement Officer" which means "any person contracted with or employed by a county or municipality who has enforcement authority for health, safety, or welfare requirements and is authorized to issue citations or file formal complaints regarding the same."
This law has been signed by the governor and is in effect.
SB 446 "Dept. of Labor functions transferred to Insurance Commissioner"
This bill transfers the "facilities, personnel, equipment, and appropriations" of certain functions relating to elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, manlifts and moving walks, boilers and pressure vessels, amusement rides, carnival rides, scaffolding and staging from the Department of Labor to the Office of the Safety Fire Commissioner.
This law has been signed by the governor and is in effect.
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CODES AND INDUSTRIALIZED BUILDINGS
60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231 www.dca.ga.gov 404-679-3118 404-679-0646 (Fax) Email: constructioncodes@dca.ga.gov
Ted Miltiades, Director, Office of Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings, 404-679-3106 Email: ted.miltiades@dca.ga.gov
Max Rietschier, Consultant, 404-679-3104 Email: max.rietschier@dca.ga.gov
Bill Towson, Consultant, 404-379-3109 Email: bill.towson@dca.ga.gov
Traci Turgeon, Administrative Assistant, 404-679-3118 Email: traci.turgeon@dca.ga.gov
John Watts, Architectural Consultant, 404-679-0617 Email: john.watts@dca.ga.gov
Austin Hackney, Energy Code Coordinator, 404-679-3127 Email: austin.hackney@dca.ga.gov
Calvin Jordan, Consultant, 404-679-1739 Email: calvin.jordan@dca.ga.gov
Dee Leclair, Grants Project Coordinator Email: dee.leclair@dca.ga.gov
GEORGIA AMENDMENTS MAY BE DOWNLOADED DIRECTLY FROM THE WEBSITE!

IB ANGLE:

SHIPPING CONTAINERS AS MODULAR BUILDING COMPONENTS

During the past year, staff members of the Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings Program received many inquiries concerning the use of shipping containers as modular building components. There were also instances of local jurisdictions within the State of Georgia and around the country issuing permits for architects, engineers and contractors to utilize shipping containers as building components in the construction of both residential and commercial buildings. Many of the inquiries received by DCA concerned whether shipping containers would be able to obtain program certification. Some inquirers also expressed an interest in establishing manufacturing plants in which they would use shipping containers as building components in their manufacturing process. These prospective manufacturers were interested in obtaining insignias for their buildings which would allow them to place these buildings throughout the State of Georgia.

Inquiries into the use of shipping containers as building components continued to grow more numerous until DCA staff members decided to put the question of the use of shipping containers in the manufacture of modular buildings before the Industrialized Buildings Advisory Committee (IBAC) for a decision. Members of the IBAC voted unanimously that certification labels could not be placed on shipping containers and will not be allowed in the Industrialized Buildings program. The Committee cited the following three reasons for their decision:

Shipping containers are manufactured at various locations throughout the world using construction materials, assembly methods and controls that cannot be readily verified.

Shipping containers are manufactured in such a manner that concealed parts or assembly methods cannot be evaluated without disassembly, damage or destruction to the container.

Prior to being used as components for industrialized buildings, shipping containers were used to store and transport various cargos and were exposed to elements and stresses that are not within the scope of the building codes.

The IBAC made a recommendation that their decision be placed in program rules as a bulletin to insure their decision became effective immediately. Information Bulletin Number 110-2-16 prevents the placement of certification insignias on shipping containers was issued on January 5, 2012.

PROFILE CORNER

Steve Howard has worked for the City of Perry for 26 years, starting as the Assistant Building Inspector in 1980 and promoted to Building Inspector in 1981.

Perry was a typical

small town at that

time with approximately

STEVE HOWARD

9,500 residents and a geographical area of 13 square miles. The City was a

residential community with typically 30 to 40 homes being built a year.

Small towns are unique in that there is usually only one person in the inspection department with responsibilities for all facets of construction and development, including planning and zoning. Through the 1980's Steve was certified by the Southern Building Code Congress International (the predecessors of ICC) in One and Two Family Dwellings, Solar Specialist Residential, Electrical Commercial & Residential. Further education was acquired through the University of Georgia's continuing education program, BOAG (Building Officials Association of Georgia) and GAZA (Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators). In 1988 he was honored as the Building Official of the Year by BOAG.

At one point in his career, Steve was one of the youngest building inspectors in the State and became very active in BOAG, serving as Secretary and eventually President. He also served on the code committee for SBCCI, which allowed him to become involved in the code writing process, and proved to be an invaluable source of education and information over the years.

Steve briefly left the City of Perry in 1990 to become Treating Plant Manager for a local lumber company and spent five years managing a pressure treating lumber facility which produced over 42 million board feet of pressured treated lumber in his last year with the company. The experience proved to be a tremendous learning opportunity and provided information that was beneficial to his current position.

In 1996, he returned to the City as the Building Official. The period of time from then until the economy took a downward spiral in 2008 was one of incredible growth for the City. By 2004 the City had a population of over 12,000 residents and was 26 square miles in size. During the time period from 2003 to 2008, the City issued 968 single family home permits. The years 2006 and 2007 saw the most growth with 339 and 308 single family home permits respectfully issued in each year. By this time, he had obtained his Certified Building Official designation from ICC and became the Director of Community Development and the department expanded to two full time inspectors, an administrative assistant, and the City's first degreed planner.

In September 1999 he attended the SBCCI conference in St. Louis, MO at which time action was taken that would forever change the Code Industry. The three model code groups voted to become ICC and Steve was fortunate to serve on a Code Correlating Committee and later served on an ad hoc committee for wire glass.

Today after restructuring the department in 2007, Steve is the Chief Building Official, where he still sees himself as not just an inspector, but a teacher. Perry is still a small town and our contractors are our customers, not adversaries. "If I can help them understand the building codes and produce a safer product, then I feel I have done my job."

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The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner issued the following Notice of Emergency Rulemaking regarding the Accessibility Code for the State of Georgia on March 14, 2012.

OFFICE OF INSURANCE AND SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER

RALPH T. HUDGENS
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER
INDUSTRIAL LOAN COMMISSIONER COMPTROLLER GENERAL

BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE

SEVENTH FLOOR, WEST TOWER FLOYD BUILDING
2 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DRIVE ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334 (404) 656-2056 www.oci.ga.gov

STATE OF GEORGIA

NOTICE OF EMERGENCY RULEMAKING

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-13-4(b), Emergency Regulation Chapter 120-3-20A-.016 entitled "Access To and Use of Public Facilities by Handicapped Persons, Part Two." A copy of the Emergency Rule is attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference.

The United States Department of Justice has published revised regulations for Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in the Federal Register. The federal regulations revise enforceable accessibility standards called the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The revised standards affect certain construction in this state commencing on or after March 15, 2012, and require additions to the Rules and Regulations of the Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Consequently, the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner finds that there is an imminent peril to the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this state and hereby adopts Emergency Rule 120-3-20A-.016, to add a new Chapter entitled "Access To and Use of Public Facilities by Handicapped Persons, Part Two."

This Emergency Rule is being promulgated on an emergency basis for a period of 120 days beginning March 14, 2012. During the 120-day period that the Emergency Rule is in effect, adoption of Chapter 120-3-20 will also be promulgated according to the rulemaking process outlined in O.C.G.A. 50-13-1 et seq.
Given under my Hand and Official Seal this 14111 day of March, 2012.

INSURANCE AND SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER STATE OF GEORGIA
THE OFFICE OF INSURANCE AND SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, RELIGION, AGE OR DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF PROGRAMS OR SERVICE
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