From the AIA Angle - Dave Collins, FAIA, one of the best code experts in the country, helped carry the day by persuading the Phoenix Code Review Committee and in turn Phoenix City Council to support the ICC family of codes in lieu of NFPA 5000.  The technical differences between the IBC and NFPA 5000 are probably minor to the average person.  However, to the design professionals and building departments saddled with using and enforcing the code it's a big deal.  The formats of these two codes are quite different, with most of the country favoring the ICC approach.  On top of that the ICC approach has a much stronger focus on the integration between various codes. Hat's off to Dave and the Preview Group for their leadership!   Read the whole story...

In a major turnaround, the Phoenix City Council voted to adopt the International Building Code, International Residential Code, and the International Existing Building Code.  The 6-3 vote followed the unanimous recommendation of the Code Review Committee that had met since January. The mayor had charged the committee to reexamine the question of whether to move forward with the adoption of NFPA's 5000 Building Code or to consider the International Code Council's (ICC) code.

David S. Collins, FAIA, spoke to the Code Review Committee on behalf of AIA Arizona at their final public meeting, encouraging the committee to avoid taking Phoenix in a different direction from the vast majority of jurisdictions that are adopting model codes.  Along with AIA, representatives of the Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA), and the Homebuilders and Apartment Builders of Phoenix also urged the committee to support ICC's codes.

Comment: Since 1975, the AIA has repeatedly examined the issue of adoption of a single set of codes for use in the United States and continues to call for resolution of the dispute between ICC and NFPA.  Comprehensive, coordinated, and contemporary codes adopted throughout this country will make a significant difference to enhance health, safety, and welfare, and reduce the complexity of building regulation.  For more information contact David S. Collins, FAIA, at 513-621-2109 or pregrp@aol.com.