During this time of social distancing many building departments are developing policies and procedures to conduct business remotely, perhaps using electronic permitting or virtual inspections. The city of Arlington is one of those localities having successfully moved to a digitized permitting and inspection process in response to the COVID 19. Whether your locality has already made the transition or is, just starting to think about it you will benefit from hearing how Arlington County successfully moved to an electronic based service delivery process.

DHCD and Arlington County have collaborated to offer two free webinar sessions.  Shahriar Amiri, Arlington County building official, will present on their transition process, procedures, and information on processes and applications, as well as resources helpful during this time of social distancing.  The will also be plenty of time for questions and answers.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

No pre-registration necessary

To join us for this session click:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MGU2OTZmYjctOTg0OS00NzJmLWEyNGEtZWUxOTViNzM0YTFm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2280354804-1fdf-428e-9f5f-5091e994cf54%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22bbe7df77-2cad-4428-94af-c02ac1659049%22%7d

Thursday, April 9, 2020

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

No pre-registration necessary

To join us for this session click:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Y2ViNTgzMGQtZGE5Mi00Y2Q0LWJiM2QtNWJhYmE1ZDI5M2U2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2280354804-1fdf-428e-9f5f-5091e994cf54%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22bbe7df77-2cad-4428-94af-c02ac1659049%22%7d

For questions about this free webinar, please contact vbca@dhcd.virginia.gov

Volunteers are one of the most important assets of the International Code Council. Their work on the ICC Board of Directors, committees and councils is directly related to the success of ICC. It takes the time and expertise of many individuals working through the numerous ICC committees to shape the Code Council into the world-class membership organization that exists today.

This “Call for Committee” provides another opportunity to serve.

Problems opening a document? Right click link and select “save target as” and save to your computer.

C&S Call for Committee: March 17, 2020

Call for committees for the 2021/2022 code development cycle

Applications are being accepted until June 1, 2020, for the following committees:

• 2021/2022 Code Committees
• 2021/2022/2023 Code Interpretation Committees
• 2021/2022/2023 Code Correlation Committee
• Apply now
• Click here for the 2021/2022 Code Development Schedule

https://www.iccsafe.org/membership/councils-committees/call-for-councils-and-committees/

https://www.iccsafe.org/membership/councils-committees/call-for-councils-and-committees/

The COVID-19 pandemic presents building departments and code officials with unprecedented challenges across the country. To assist, ICC is compiling departmental best practices to share with colleagues across the country and advocating for your interests as part of federal efforts to assist critical state/local functions. Please take a moment to complete the survey: Building Department Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic. We’re continuously compiling results and will post soon. Feel free to forward along to your networks.

We’re also compiling information for a series of articles in BSJ about how building departments are responding COVID-19. If you and your department would like to be featured, please let me know.

In case you missed It:

• Award nominations have also been extended to April 15. To nominate someone for an ICC Award, please complete and email the appropriate form to Awards@ICCSafe.org.
• To nominate someone as an Honorary Member, please complete and email the appropriate form to khiggs@iccsafe.org.
• ICC Call for committees for the 2021/2022 code development cycle is open – Applications are being accepted until June 1, 2020
• OSHA webpage on COVID-19
• CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employees on COVID-19
• CISA releases guidance on essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19
• FEMA Eligible Emergency Protective Measures

Interestingly enough, it’s time for several positions to be filled due to expired terms and vacancies.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’d like to thank the following Volunteers for their willingness in serving our collective interests over the past few years:

• The DRC position currently filled by Sean Farrell (Prince William County) is at term.  Mr. Farrell is eligible to extend
• The ADTAC position currently filled by Victor Purchase (City of Alexandria) is at term and will be vacated
• The BCAAC position currently filled by Eric Rice-Johnson (Arlington County) is at term and will be vacated

We are looking for talented and code savvy individuals that are interested in stepping forward and representing the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association. If you believe you have what it takes to move our organization forward, consider offering your leadership in one of these positions.

See attached application for Nominations Application for these positions. Applications need to be returned by COB, Friday March 26^th .

The Nominations Committee looks forward to meeting with you at our Mid-Year Conference in Staunton, Virginia .

Please go to VBCOA.org for more information on conference registration and agenda.

2020 Mid Year Nominations Application

FEMA Policy # 104-008-03

Date Issued February 2020

This policy is intended to provide clarification and technical assistance to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) State/Tribe/Territory Coordinators and local floodplain administrators regarding the implementation of the NFIP design and performance standards for agricultural structures and accessory structures.

• Floodplain Management Policy for Ag Structures and Accessory Structures

Looking for the NEW ENERGY TRAINING that DHCD recently announced? The course can be found on the Course Sign-Up page and is titled “CE- Building Science and Energy Efficiency”. The course is available to anyone and offers 8 hours of DHCD CE credits.

THIS TRAINING IS MANDATORY for the following DHCD certifications:

• Building Code Official
• Residential Building Inspector
• Combination Residential Building Inspector
• Mechanical Inspector
• Residential Plan Reviewer
• Mechanical Plan Reviewer 

Note that there will also be an online version of this course (it’s shorter than the classroom version – 4 hours DHCD CE credits) available soon through the Commonwealth of VA Learning Center website, which we expect to be available no later than 3/31/20.

FEMA revises elevation and floodproofing certificates and instructions, new forms expire November 30, 2022.  A quick link to the FEMA forms is provided below.

• Elevation Certificate and Instructions
• Elevation Certificate Form Only
• Floodproofing Certificate (FEMA Form 086-0-34)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce a training course opportunity: E2460 Advanced Building Science Series I for engineers, architects, floodplain managers and building code officials.

Registration Deadline: March 13, 2020

Dates: April 27 -April 30, 2020; 4 days in length.

Location: Emergency Management Institute (EMI) National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
This advanced-topics course addresses the ever-changing challenges faced from flood and wind risk through a comprehensive approach of best-practice mitigation, code compliance, designing for future conditions, and FEMA policies and funding mechanisms aimed at achieving higher standards.

The four-day course is comprised of six half- and full- day modules that will focus on:
1. Flood and Wind Provisions of the I-Codes and ASCE-24
2. Strategies for Maximizing Floodproofing Success
3. Steps to a Successful Elevation
4. Incorporating Future Conditions into Flood Design
5. Wind Mitigation for Buildings: Policies & Procedures for Successful Recovery
6. Critical Building Performance for Wind

This course seeks to:

• Reinforce learning concepts through comprehensive exercises and exposure to FEMA Building Science Branch products, risk map tools, and other industry resources.
• Promote increased compliance of hazard-resistant building codes and floodplain management ordinances through better understanding of the relationships of the I-Codes, NFIP, and ASCE-24.
• Increase participant knowledge of flood and wind hazard best practice, mitigation strategies and lessons learned through post-disaster, FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team observations.
• Provide solutions for designing for future conditions, to help communities adapt to probable future flood hazards and lifetime building performance and operation requirements.

Target Audience:
Designers, building code professionals, floodplain managers, hazard mitigation/municipal planners, and persons with building science knowledge.

It is recommended that participants complete EMI resident course E0312 (Fundamentals of Building Science) or independent study courses IS-279.a (Introduction to Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Buildings) and IS-386 (Introduction to Residential Coastal Construction) prior to the class.

EMI awards 2.8 CEUs for completion of this course and ASFPM awards 12 CECs for completion of this course.

How to Apply:
If interested, follow instructions located at https://training.fema.gov/apply/. This includes filling out FEMA Form 119-25-1 (https://training.fema.gov/apply/119-25-1.pdf) and emailing the form to netcadmissions@fema.dhs.gov. Registration deadline is March 13th, 2020.