From the President's DeskCommentary on Building Code News by Richard Piccolo, president of B & F Technical Code Services, Inc.Code Industry Needs a More Proactive, Positive Approach- (Found July 2, 2008 ) An informed community will make the correct choices when given the opportunity.http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/may06.shtml IBC Should Look Closer at Schools' Sprinkler Requirementss- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Loss suffered by a community as a result of a school fire, the danger faced by children, and the devastation shared by children and adults should incite lowering of the 20,000 sq. ft. mandate.http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/april05.shtml Building Officials: Look to Fire Departments on Promoting Safety Weeks- (Found July 2, 2008 ) By following the Fire Department's lead, Building Departments and officials can use Building Safety Week to promote building safety awareness in the same way Fire Prevention Week has been used. . .http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/may05.shtml Thorough Code Deserves Thorough Enforcement- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Many building officials do not realize how all-inclusive the International Fire Code is. It covers areas such as general precautions against fire, and indoor displays to fire service features, fire apparatus access roads, and hazards to firefighters. One of the most important chapters covers emergency planning and preparedness and requires evacuation plans for many occupancies.. . .http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/june05.shtml Keep Pools Safe for Everyone- (Found July 2, 2008 ) The International Residential Code has the requirements in place to ensure above and below ground pools are installed safely to provide protection to children from pools. A properly installed guard will prevent children from entering a pool unsupervised. The IRC has the construction requirements for guards and gates. . .http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/july05.shtml Security or Safety- (Found July 2, 2008 ) When I was a new in this industry, as a fire inspector, the use of keyed locks or dead bolts were common. It took time and hard work to educate business and property owners about the value of a safe means of egress. We can all list tragedies where inadequate non-compliant means of egress was the cause.http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/sept5.shtml Communities Affected by Katrinia Should Make Proactive Start- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Changing or amending codes to achieve reliable construction may be what is needed to maximize the structural integrity to withstand a catastrophic event.http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/oct05.shtml ADA Still Needs a Voice for Change- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Like many early Sunday mornings since becoming empty-nesters, my wife and I were having our breakfast at a small neighbor- hood restaurant. From a window, we saw a rather large, wheelchair bound woman struggling to get inside.http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/nov05.shtml Make the Season Merry, Bright and Safe- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Holidays should be filled with sugarplums and twinkles, but we can't forget safety. Stealing the beauty of the season like the Grinch is not my intention. A safe season is a peaceful, enjoyable season. Accidents are preventable. As professionals we ensure compliance but sometimes forget it in our own homes.http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/dec05.shtml Louisiana: Stay Focused, Stay the Course- (Found July 2, 2008 ) The urgent need to have regulation in place will not elimintate the obstacles.http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/january06.shtml |