The ICC (International Code Council) would not be where it is today without the deal it made with the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders). The deal gave the NAHB eight (8) guaranteed seats on the IRC Technical committees; four (4) on the IRC Mechanical/Plumbing Code Committee, and four (4) on the IRC Building and Energy Code Committee.
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/ICode%20Committee%20Rosters/roster_IRC-MP.pdf
and,
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/ICode%20Committee%20Rosters/roster_IRC-BE.pdf
In return; the NAHB; with it's powerful financial and political ally the NAR (National Association of Realtors); lobbied State and local governments to adopt the ICC - IRC.
Since then, the NAHB has been able to dilute the IRC with numerous code changes and amendments; in an effort to make the IRC ineffectual; and they are succeeding.
While everyone is concentrating on one big issue; like Residential Fire Sprinklers; the NAHB is pushing through numerous other code changes that weaken the effectiveness of other requirements of the IRC; or eliminate them entirely.
Just one example of this is the addition of the term "affordability" to R101.3 Purpose; added in the 2003 IRC.
The purpose of this thread is not to attack the NAHB; who are protecting the interests of their members; but, to show how the influence of stake-holders is weaking the effectiveness of the codes.
The proposed codes and code changes, should be written by structrual, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical Engineers; and the committees should be comprised of, members who are knowledgeable professionals in that specific area of expertise; and, not stake-holders whose primary objective is financial gain.
If the ICC truely believes that I-Code Certification represents a special knowledge of that particular code; then perhaps only those with that certification should be admitted to the that particular code committee.
The codes that were originally designed to protect the public; have become political tools, that protect and promote the financial interests of stake-holders.
Ya'll have a nice day,
Uncle Bob
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/ICode%20Committee%20Rosters/roster_IRC-MP.pdf
and,
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/ICode%20Committee%20Rosters/roster_IRC-BE.pdf
In return; the NAHB; with it's powerful financial and political ally the NAR (National Association of Realtors); lobbied State and local governments to adopt the ICC - IRC.
Since then, the NAHB has been able to dilute the IRC with numerous code changes and amendments; in an effort to make the IRC ineffectual; and they are succeeding.
While everyone is concentrating on one big issue; like Residential Fire Sprinklers; the NAHB is pushing through numerous other code changes that weaken the effectiveness of other requirements of the IRC; or eliminate them entirely.
Just one example of this is the addition of the term "affordability" to R101.3 Purpose; added in the 2003 IRC.
The purpose of this thread is not to attack the NAHB; who are protecting the interests of their members; but, to show how the influence of stake-holders is weaking the effectiveness of the codes.
The proposed codes and code changes, should be written by structrual, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical Engineers; and the committees should be comprised of, members who are knowledgeable professionals in that specific area of expertise; and, not stake-holders whose primary objective is financial gain.
If the ICC truely believes that I-Code Certification represents a special knowledge of that particular code; then perhaps only those with that certification should be admitted to the that particular code committee.
The codes that were originally designed to protect the public; have become political tools, that protect and promote the financial interests of stake-holders.
Ya'll have a nice day,
Uncle Bob
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