Anyone for Some Code Hearings?

Since I know you have all been reading your USGNN everyday this week, I’m sure you’re well aware that the International Code Council (ICC) code change hearings are happening right now in Palm Springs. The code change world is one I’m pretty glad to have only limited involvement, though this code change cycle is a big one for the glass and fenestration industries (read some of the updates here: www.usgnn.com).

As I’m sure many of you are well aware, it’s not the most exciting of venues. I’ll give you an idea of what it’s like. Yesterday evening, a little before 5 p.m. EST I was tuned in to the code hearings webcast. Hearings were about to begin on a new code and the moderator made an announcement … a schedule change if you will. He said, “The schedule says we will be going until 6 p.m.; that’s wrong. We will be going till at least 7 p.m. and if we’re still not done, we’re going to keep going until we are.” Remember, that’s an at least 7 p.m. Pacific time … Considering those hearings start each day at 8 a.m., that’s a long, long day.

Sitting through hours and hours (hours and hours) of rebuttals and re-rebuttals may not be on the top of your must-do list, but it’s a good thing that it is for some people. Well, let’s say it’s good that they do it. After all, as someone told me a few years ago when I asked him why it was so important to be involved in code development: “Codes drive the marketplace and if you don’t lead you’re going to follow in the dust and you’re going to have other people dictating how best to use your products. So it’s really to make sure that your products are best represented in the marketplace and they’re used for the smartest and most functional reasons.” (Want to know who said this? Click here to find out: http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/2003/0304/Science.html).

If you want to really grasp the good that’s come from code changes and hearings, just look at all the hurricane-prone states and jurisdictions now requiring impact-resistant glazing. Years ago, laminated glass suppliers, manufacturers, window manufacturers and others went to the code bodies and said, “Hey, we’ve got products here that can help mitigate hurricane-caused damage; products that can improve safety and pass required testing.” Maybe those weren’t their exact words, but you know what I mean. The bottom line is that the codes changed because the industry spoke up and got involved.

Whether or not you’re involved in the code change process, good things do come out of it, and we’ve got safer homes and buildings to show for it.