Commentary on Building Code News by Richard Piccolo, president of B & F Technical Code Services, Inc. http://www.bftechcs.com An informed community will make the correct choices when given the opportunity. http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/may06.shtml If you know a first responder, firefighter, are one or have been one, you might recall some out-of-the-ordinary emergency calls. But there are the kind you never forget. http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/april06.shtml For a long time, the pendulum on accessibility requirements was still because there were no standard requirements for accessibility. http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/march06.shtml As with other types of construction, masonry is subject to inspection and must also comply with applicable codes and standards. http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/feb06.shtml The urgent need to have regulation in place will not elimintate the obstacles. http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/january06.shtml 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 The purpose of an inspection is to bring everyone involved in the construction process together on the same page. http://www.bftechcs.com/info/news/prez_desk/march05.shtml