In this bonus 30th anniversary episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we sat down with three influential leaders in the building safety industry to explore the history of the Code Council, advice for growth and success in the industry and the evolving landscape of building safety. 

Recorded live at the 2024 International Code Council Annual Conference in Long Beach, CA, this episode features insights from industry professionals who have shaped the building safety industry in the past, are driving impactful initiatives in the present day and whose work will help define the industry's future. 

Guests on the show:  

• Gerry Jones, retired code official and engineer with over 40 years of dedication to the building safety industry 

• Pete Roque, National Director of Code Enforcement at 4Leaf, Inc. 

• Serena Locke, Permit Technician at Jackson County, Oregon 

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:  

• View the Code Council’s history timeline. 

• Watch a video about the Code Council’s history. 

• Learn more about Code Council certifications.  

Episodes of the ICC Pulse Podcast feature interviews with leading industry experts discussing a wide range of topics including current events and new technologies. Click here to see our entire archive of past episodes.   

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we highlight American Plumber Stories, a docuseries featuring plumbers across the nation who share their passion, career beginnings, advice for future plumbers and the rewards of their trade.  

Listeners will enjoy the personal history of our host, Beau Hansen’s six-generation plumbing family, the impact of American Plumber Stories in reshaping the plumbing industry, a preview of the remaining Season 5 episodes (sponsored by the International Code Council), and behind-the-scenes insights from international recordings. 

Guests on the show: 

• Spencer Brown, Director of Sales Pfister Faucets, project lead of American Plumber Stories  

• Tom Roberts, Director of PMG Global, International Code Council 

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode: 

• Visit the Code Council’s PMG microsite to access valuable industry resources. 

• Watch episodes of American Plumber Stories 

• Learn more about Pfister Faucets and American Plumber Stories 

• Read more about the history of American Plumber Stories 

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we dive into the roles, functions and importance of the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) and ICC-ES Labs in the construction industry, featuring expert insights on evaluation, certification and industry innovations. 

Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these organizations contribute to safety, compliance and the future of building standards. 

Guests on the show: 

• David Tompos, Executive Vice President, International Code Council Conformity Assessment Group

• Justin Mann, Operations Manager, ICC-ES Labs  

• Tracie Stanush, Vice President of Building Products, ICC-ES Labs 

 Links to related and referenced topics in this episode: 

• Visit the ICC-ES website 

• Visit the NTA website 

• Learn more about ICC-ES Labs  

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and building safety, highlighting its implications for enhancing risk prediction and prevention, real-time monitoring, maintenance and inspection.

Featuring guest experts, the discussion covers traditional building safety methods, the application of AI in the industry, emerging technologies, standardizing AI and overcoming challenges to implementation.

Guests on the show: 

• Joan O’Neil, Executive Director of Content & Services, International Code Council  
• Ed Cilurso, Project lead on AI Navigator, International Code Council 
• Jason Matusow, Microsoft General Manager, Corporate Standards Group

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode: 

• Learn more about ICC Digital Codes Premium 
• Learn more about ICC AI Navigator

The ICC Pulse Podcast is back with a new season that offers listeners the inside scoop on the International Code Council and the building safety industry.  

Welcoming new host, Beau Hansen, Deputy Building Official for the City of Beaumont, Texas, Episode 56 discusses the critical role of federal grants in enhancing building safety and community resilience.  

The episode covers an overview of available federal grants, success stories from Code Council members who have secured funding, emerging trends in the building safety industry and resources provided by the Code Council to assist in the grant application process. 

Guests on the show: 

• Stella Carr, Project Manager, Energy and Resilience, International Code Council  

• Paul A. Demers, State Building Official, Maine, Code Council Member 

• Clayton Trevillyan, CBO, Building Official, City of Tuscon, Code Council Member 

• Gabe Maser, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and National Strategy, International Code Council 

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode: 

• Visit the Code Council’s Federal Grants webpage to learn what grants are available in your community and how to apply for them  

• Subscribe to the Code Council’s Federal Grants Newsletter to stay up to date about upcoming federal grant programs 

• Read about how FEMA’s BRIC Cycle received a record-setting number of code-specific applications. 

• Read success stories below about utilizing federal grant funding: 

• • Fort Collins Paves the Way to a Sustainable Future with a DOE RECI Grant 

• • How Lexington, Kentucky, Used BRIC Funding for Building Department Accreditation 

• • Harnessing BRIC Funding: Paving the Way for Virtual Inspections 

The ICC Pulse Podcast is back with a whole season of 5 episodes ready to listen! This is one of the five.

Through a series of interviews with accessibility standards experts, we discuss accessibility standards in the United States and Canada and their impact when constructing buildings. We also highlight the history and impact of the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Standard: Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

This episode is sponsored by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

Guests on the show:

• Kimberly Paarlberg, Senior Staff Architect, International Code Council
• Ken Schoonover, President, KMS Associates, Inc.
• Judy Zakreski, Senior Vice President of Global Solutions, International Code Council
• Dino Zuppa, COO, Accessibility Standards Canada

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:

·       The Code Council’s resources on accessibility: https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/safety-toolkits/accessibility-info/

·       Accessibility Standard A117.1: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/icca117-12017P4

·       Link to Accessibility Standards Canada new online Centre of Expertise: Centre of Expertise for Standards and Research on Accessibility - Accessibility Standards Canada

·       Additional background information on the Canada Accessible Act:

• Towards an Accessible Canada - Canada.ca
• Summary of the Accessible Canada Regulations - Canada.ca

The ICC Pulse Podcast is back with a whole season of 5 episodes ready to listen! This is one of the five.

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we dive in to discussing water reuse. I know – many of you might not be as open to using the same water you just, well, used, but in this episode, we challenge you to explore how water reuse can be a safe, innovative way to help save the world’s water supply. We speak with a few experts on breaking the stigma of water reuse and how reusing water is possible in our homes and businesses.

Guests on the show:

• Rich Anderson, Director of PMG, International Code Council
• Philip Parisi, P.E., LEED AP, Associate Principal, MG Engineering
• Pat Sinicropi, Executive Director, WateReuse Association

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:

About the WateReuse Association: https://watereuse.org/about-watereuse/

About the Code Council’s Water Reuse Working Group: https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-hits/the-international-code-council-hosts-industry-experts-for-conference-celebrating-50th-anniversary-of-clean-water-act

Visit the Code Council’s Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas resources webpage: www.iccsafe.org/pmg

Water Reuse Building Projects mentioned in the episode:

·       Domino Sugar Refinery redevelopment: https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/08/construction-rises-on-domino-sugar-refinery-redevelopment-at-292-kent-avenue-in-williamsburg-brooklyn.html

·       Blue Hole Primary School, Texas’s first OneWater school – check out their student-led video tour here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMmIVsBN83g&t=116s

·       DC Water Headquarters: https://www.dcwater.com/whats-going-on/news/dc-water%E2%80%99s-iconic-green-glass-headquarters-awarded-leed-platinum-distinction

Water Reuse Resources from the Code Council:

·       About the Rainwater Harvesting Standard 2022 edition: https://www.iccsafe.org/about/periodicals-and-newsroom/rainwater-harvesting-standard-2022-edition/

·       The International Code Council Joins Delegation to Israel to Discuss Water Conservation Policies and Research: https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-hits/the-international-code-council-joins-delegation-to-israel-to-discuss-water-conservation-policies-and-research/

·       Non-potable Water Reuse: https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/BSM_Non-Potable_Water_Reuse_FLR.pdf

To learn more about how the Code Council’s codes and standards enable reuse, click here.

The ICC Pulse Podcast is back with a whole season of 5 episodes ready to listen! This is one of the five.

Using puns celebrating the 50th anniversary of the educational television show Schoolhouse Rock, this episode follows a summarized journey of how a building code is developed and advocated in the United States, as told by the International Code Council’s Technical Services engineers and Government Relations representatives. We also highlight a code official's perspective on his jurisdiction's code adoption process and his experience with participating in the code development process.

This episode is sponsored by the American Gas Association.

Guests on the show:

• Beth Tubbs, Chief Fire Protection Engineer, International Code Council
• Samhar Hoz, Associate Staff Engineer, International Code Council
• Truong Hyunh, General Superintendent of Development Services, Building and Safety Bureau, City of Long Beach, California
• Susan Dowty, Government Relations Regional Manager, International Code Council (Retired)
• Gabe Maser, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and National Strategy, International Code Council

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:

·       The Code Development Process (includes infographics): https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/code-development/

·       Upcoming changes to the Code Development Process: https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/code-development-changes/

·       Exploring Ways to Get Involved in the Code Development Process: https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-dives/exploring-ways-to-get-involved-in-the-code-development-process/

·       2024-26 Code Development Schedule: https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024_2026_Code-Development-Schedule_3_17_23.pdf

·       ICC Government Relations Team webpage: https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy

·       Codes Save page: https://www.iccsafe.org/codessave/

·       Code and Standards page: https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/codes-standards/

·       Hearing Videos: https://www.cdpaccess.com/videos/

·       Council Policy on Code Development: https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/CP-28-05-Code-Development-Procedure-12072022-NEW-FORMAT.pdf

·       Council Policy on Standard Development: https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/CP12-03.pdf

The ICC Pulse Podcast is back with a whole season of 5 episodes ready to listen! This is one of the five.

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we break down what off-site construction is, the history of off-site construction and how this type of construction is gaining popularity as a form of construction to help solve the affordable housing crisis. We’ll also hear perspectives from owners of modular construction companies on the benefits and pain points of off-site, highlighting how adopting standards and working together in the industry helps solve off-site's growing pains.

Guests on the Show:

• Ryan Colker, Vice President of Innovation, International Code Council
• Professor Ryan E. Smith, Professor of Architecture, University of Arizona
• Wanona Satcher, CEO and Founder of Mākhers Studio
• Justin Stewart CEO, Synergy Modular

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:

The Code Council’s Off-site Construction Resource: https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/safety-toolkits/offsite-construction/

Off-site Construction standards

·       ICC/MBI Standard 1200: https://shop.iccsafe.org/icc-mbi-1200-2021-standard-for-off-site-construction-planning-design-fabrication-and-assembly.html

·       ICC/MBI Standard 1205: https://shop.iccsafe.org/icc-mbi-1205-2021-standard-for-off-site-construction-inspection-and-regulatory-compliance.html

·       Learn more about Code Council standards in off-site construction: https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/standards/is-osmc/

FAQs on Off-site construction: https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/20-19332_GR_Offsite_Construction_FAQs_FLR_FINAL1_HIRES.pdf

How off-site construction can contribute to a more diverse workforce: https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/how-off-site-construction-can-contribute-to-a-more-diverse-workforce/

Reaping the benefits of offsite construction: https://www.bdcnetwork.com/video/reaping-benefits-offsite-construction-iccs-ryan-colker

Three trends in off-site construction to watch for in 2023: https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/article/22684232/international-code-council-three-trends-in-offsite-construction-to-watch-for-in-2023

The ICC Pulse Podcast is back with a whole season of 5 episodes ready to listen! This is one of the five.

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we highlight perspectives from code enforcement officers educating the code enforcement officer profession, including stories from being on-the-job and how the public perception of code enforcement officers continues to improve. The episode also highlights the ongoing need for training for code enforcement officers, including code official safety training that anyone can take to learn de-escalation skills and other soft skills when encountering hazardous situations.

Trigger Warning: While we try to keep the conversations light in our show, this episode contains discussions of death and violence as we talk about the safety of code enforcement officers. We’ll note where these conversations occur in the show notes should you wish to skip over them. Listener discretion is advised. 

Guests on the Show:

·       Tana Bryant, Senior Code Enforcement Officer, City of Anniston, Alabama

·       Pete Roque, Director of Code Enforcement, 4LEAF, Inc.

·       Justin Edson, President, Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation

·       Aleksandra Menasakanian, Executive Director, Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation

Timestamps that discuss sensitive material:

·       6:30 – 7:30

·       10:00 – 10:30

·       13:30 – 14:30

·       48:00 – 49:45

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:

Learn more about the Code Official Safety Credential of Learning Achievement: https://www.iccsafe.org/professional-development/cla/

California Grand Jury Report on Code Compliance: https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2023_final/2023-8_Planning_Report.pdf

About the Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation: https://www.codeofficersafety.org/

CEOSF’s Lifeline Podcast: https://www.codeofficersafety.org/podcast

Follow Pete Roque on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-roque-84a55748/

To celebrate the 43rd Annual Building Safety Month and the 50th episode of the podcast, what better way to talk about building safety than with kids! In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we highlight children of Code Council staff exploring building safety in their homes.  

Podcast host Elizabeth McDonald gave five Code Council families an assignment to go through their homes with a checklist to take inventory of what building safety initiatives are achieved within their homes. She chatted with the kids and parents afterward to see what they learned.  

Want to follow along? Click here to download the Building Safety at Home checklist used in the episode.

Guests on the show: 

• Whitney Doll, Code Council Executive Vice President of Communications and Strategy, and her 6-year-old son Colton. 
• Sunil Selvanayagam, Code Council Jr. Systems Administrator of Information Technology, and his 6-year-old son Gus. 
• Aaron Davis, Code Council Vice President of Federal Relations, and his daughters Margaret (10) and Caroline (6).  
• Denisha Witherspoon, Code Council Assessment Advocate for Certification and Testing Administration, and her 13-year-old daughter A’Derika. 
• Mohamed Amer, Code Council Regional Director of Operations for the MENA region, and his 7-year-old son Yousif. 

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode: 

Visit the Code Council’s Building Safety Month Website 

View Week 1 Building Safety Month resources to learn fire safety tips and home maintenance best practices 

View Week 2 Building Safety Month resources to learn the different roles and responsiblities of building safety professionals