Dear FLBOA Members:

The Annual Holiday Luncheon will be Friday December 13, 2019 starting at 11:30 AM at the Burgundy Basin, 1361 Marsh Road, Pittsford/Perinton.

 Elections to the Board of Directors will be held during this meeting.

The FLBOA Board of Director’s are accepting nominations for the three available seats on the Board of Directors and for any of the Officers positions.  As you are aware, the elections are during our annual business meeting, which will be held on December 13 at the Burgundy Basin Inn starting at 11:30 AM.  Please contact any of the Directors or Officers and make your intentions known as to which position for which you would like to be considered.  The November monthly meeting will have some time set aside for the interested candidates to introduce themselves to the members and state their intended goals for the organization.  The Officers and Directors contact information can be found on the FLBOA website by going to following link, http://www.flboa.com/contact/officers.html or you can contact Wayne Cichetti directly at 585-330-1433 or via email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions or concerns.

FLBOA is now accepting membership dues for 2020. You need to apply/renew your membership online. Click here to register online. When you have completed the form, enter the words in the ReCaptcha box and click "Submit". You will then receive an email which can be printed and MUST be used as your Invoice and submitted with payment.

Read more: Membership Dues for 2020

As we reach the time of year where you have budgeted for updated code books knowing the change to the 2018 "I" Codes with the NYS amendments is looming we have some information to share:


  1.  The Codes Council has voted to move to adopt the 2018 "I" codes with NYS amendments as the next code update.

  2.  The effective date will be March 1, 2020 with a 90 day window prior to that date where plans can be submitted for a permit utilizing a design based on the 2015 "I" codes with the 2017 NYS Supplement or the 2018 "I" codes with the NYS amendments.

  3.  Each municipality will have a single user access to the NYS version of the "I" codes available on-line at the ICC website and a Pdf version.

  4.  If you currently have a subscription to access the 2015 "I" codes on-line and wish to upgrade/renew it to the 2018 "I" codes  for a year, that is what you will receive the pure 2018 "I" codes. You will not be able to convert that subscription to the NYS version of the codes.

  5.  As soon as the NYS specific "I" codes are available you will be able to purchase additional on-line copies of the NYS version of the "I" codes, as of now that date has not been determined.

  6.  You may wish to consider retaining your current 2015 "I" code subscription for at least a year if you have projects that will still be under construction next year since that's the code you have issued the permit under.

The 2020 Educational Conference is scheduled for March 9, 10 and 11, 2020.  FLBOA is again proud to present on-line registration for the 2020 conference.  Registration should be available in late November 2019. You will need your NY Training ID and FDID listed above.  This 3-day conference is expected, again, to be approved for 24 hours of in-service training.  Please check the FLBOA website: www.flboa.com for additional information as it becomes available. 

Finger Lakes Building Officials Association, Inc.
C/O Andy Suveges
PO Box 1117
Penfield, NY 14526

Dear Members,

If there are floodplain areas within your jurisdiction we strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to attend the free training program that will be presented in Penn Yan on the afternoon of November 20^th.  We realize that November is a ways off, but it is not too early to get signed up. Please look over the flyer that is attached and will be on our website. There are several communities in our area that are working to clear themselves of actions going back a dozen years or so that they were not aware of but are responsible for. We all need to be current on the latest Federal and State regulations so here is an opportunity to get information first hand. If you are not the designated floodplain manager for your community, invite them along as well. You may consider inviting the municipal attorney to attend to hear what the responsibilities of the community are and the implications of dismissing them.

Respectfully,

Scott Copp
President
Finger Lakes Building Officials Association

pdf Floodplain Management Training 11 20 2019 (109 KB)

Members,

Each week the State of New York publishes the NYS Register which contains a record of active regulatory changes, Executive Orders, notice to bidders and notices of public hearings, including variances from the provisions of the Uniform Code and the Multiple Residence Law. 

  pdf October 2, 2019 NYS Uniform Code Petitions (1.35 MB)

pdf September 11, 2019 NYS Uniform Code Petitions (1.04 MB)  

  pdf September 4, 2019 NYS Uniform Code Petitions (1.35 MB)

These notices can be viewed online by clicking the following link, NYS Register link. or you can check with the Town/Village clerk for a hard copy. It is important to see what challenges other code officials have in obtaining voluntary compliance and the challenges to bring older properties into compliance. Many of the requests will be presented before the Regional Boards of Review while others will be reviewed as administrative variances and granted without a public hearing.

We realize that taking a part of a day to attend a hearing may be a challenge, but we encourage you to take the time, sit in the hearing room and listen to the process and dialog as it will provide you valuable insight that you can share with one of your residents should they feel the need to request a variance.

The Board of Directors

Attached is a copy of the Senate report. To view the report click on the following link, pdf NYS Senate_final_investigative_report_code_enforcement_senator_skoufis_igo_committee (003) (4.16 MB)

Please take the time to read.  It sums up all that we have been discussing for many years, and has many proposed recommendations.

When you attend the upcoming ABM this fall, please come with suggestions on how we can keep on top of these suggestions and reach a desirable outcome.

Hopefully there will be follow-up to these recommendations.  We have all worked hard to get this attention at the State level.

The responsibility falls on our community to keep the momentum.

The Town and Village of Livonia are accepting applications for a full-time position as an Assistant to the Director of Building and Zoning.

Preference will be given to certified code enforcement officials.  Individuals who have experience in building construction, a working knowledge of the day-to-day operations of a building and zoning department, or any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

The job entails direct contact with the public; therefore, the applicant must have excellent communication skills; the ability to organize, prioritize, and maintain multiple tasks and deadlines; and have excellent time management skills.  Applicants must have a strong proficiency with computers and software including: Word, Excel, word processing, database management, spreadsheets, internet research, and other technologies as needed, as well as an aptitude to learn new applications in order to accomplish various tasks.

Note: A three-month probationary period is required before the permanent hiring of a successful candidate.

Applications may be found at https://www.livoniany.org/forms/EmploymentApplication.pdf and at the Town Hall.  Salary is negotiable and commensurate with experience and qualifications.  Please submit an application, cover letter, resume, four business references, and salary expectation by August 5, 2019 to the attention of Adam Backus, Building and Zoning Director, PO Box 43, Livonia, NY 14487 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Town and Village of Livonia are equal opportunity employers and providers.

For current members and individuals that have signed up to receive our "Newsletters". To ensure you receive our Newsletters via email, please add "This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." to your address/contact list.

     PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING CODE COUNCIL

 Click the following link,  pdf Code Council Meeting 12-5-2018 (54 KB)

    ICC Government Relations Chapter Monthly Update – December 2018

Follow @ICC_GR on Twitter for breaking news & announcements throughout the month

Last day to vote on the Group A I-Code proposals on cdpACCESS is Friday, December 7

The Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV) for the Group A 2021 I-Code proposals will close on Friday, December 7, at 11:59 PM Pacific time. Online voting, using cdpACCESS, started November 19. Official Public Comment Hearing results from Richmond are available, click here. The unofficial OGCV results will be available approximately two weeks after conclusion of OGCV. The online posting of the final action Group A results, including OGCV results, will occur following the Validation Committee’s certification of the OGCV and report to the Code Council Board of Directors (see Section 10.0 of CP28 Code Development). The Group A Codes include the IBC (egress, fire safety, general), IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IPMC, IPSDC, IRC (mechanical, plumbing), ISPSC, IWUIC and IZC. Group B changes can be submitted via cdpACCESS and are due Jan. 7, 2019. Hearings on Group B proposals are set for:

• April 28 – May 8, 2019 Committee Action Hearing - Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, N.M.
• October 23 – 30, 2019 Public Comment Hearing – Rio Hotel/Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Early announcement: “No Code, No Confidence” is the theme for the 2019 Building Safety Month

It’s December 2018, and you already know the theme for the 2019 Building Safety Month: “No Code, No Confidence.” This year we have expanded our Building Safety Month campaign to all year round. Planning for the 2019 starts now. Here are the weekly themes for the month of May:

• Week 1 – (May 1- May 5): Preparing for disasters: Build strong, build smart
• Week 2 – (May 6- May 12): Ensuring a safer future through training and education
• Week 3 – (May 13- May 19): Securing clean, abundant water for all communities
• Week 4 – (May 20- May 26): Construction professionals and homeowners: Partners in safety

• Week 5– (May 27- May 31): Innovations in building safety

Join our yearlong celebration and use hashtag #BuildingSafety365. Below are suggested social media posts which can copy, paste and Tweet away:

• Looking forward to Building Safety Month 2019! Our overall theme this year is “No Code No Confidence.” #BuildingSafety365
• The planning for Building Safety Month 2019 is underway and we are looking forward to celebrating with you throughout the month of May! This year our theme is “No Code No Confidence.” #BuildingSafety365
• It’s never too early to start spreading the world about building safety! Looking ahead to Building Safety Month 2019, this year’s theme is “No Code No Confidence” #BuildingSafety365

Watch for more information to help you make your community’s Building Safety Month events a hit!

New Disaster Response Alliance is getting a robust response from Code Council members

As communities in southern states and California continue their recovery from high winds, flooding and wildfire, response has been robust among Code Council Chapters and Members to the Disaster Response Alliance since it debuted in mid-October. The Alliance is the product of a joint project of the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations and ICC. DRA offers a database of skilled code officials, engineers and others across the nation. It also forms relationships with emergency response offices of state and local jurisdictions to recruit skilled volunteers to step into disaster recovery efforts to make post-disaster safety assessments, building damage assessments, inspections and other code-related functions. For more information, to request help, or to sign up, visit www.disasterresponse.org.

Code Council’s Government Relations office welcomes Ryan Colker and Karl Fippinger to key positions

Two key positions in the ICC Government Relations office in Washington, D.C., were recently filled. Ryan Colker will serve as Vice President of Innovation to identify emerging issues in the building industry, including how new technologies can be leveraged by codes and standards, methods to modernize the application of building regulations, and the development of new business strategies that support members and building safety professionals. Colker, former Vice President of the National Institute of Building Sciences and former manager of government affairs for ASHRAE, will also serve as Executive Director of the Alliance for National and Community Resilience. Karl Fippinger, CEM, PMP, is the new Vice President of Fire and Disaster Mitigation. He will manage the Code Council’s relationships and programs related to fire service activities and emergency management. He will work with federal, state and local agencies in the area of disaster preparedness and public safety. Most recently, he led federal disaster response and recovery programs as well as emergency response planning, training and exercises for Dewberry. Previously, he managed professional development and exhibits for the International Association of Fire Chiefs and has more than 25 years of combined fire and rescue service experience in Arlington County (VA), Fairfax County (VA), and Prince William County (VA) as an instructor, command officer, and assistant fire chief.

Code Council applauds National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018

The International Code Council applauds the recent passage of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Reauthorization Act of 2018 (S. 1768). Congress established NEHRP in 1977 to reduce the long-term risk posed by earthquakes and associated seismic events like tsunamis and landslides. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), as the lead agency, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) jointly oversee the program, which was last reauthorized in 2004. Read more.

ICC’s Winter Toolkit webpage offers list of organizations and tips for getting through a cold winter

Some of us look forward to winter activities, while others prefer huddling in front of a fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate. But a gentle reminder is in order: Each season has its dangers, and winter is no different. For example, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says thousands die each year from exposure to extreme cold, or from carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty heating units, which also can cause fires in homes if not used properly. Another example: Deadly fires also can result when homeowners use torches to thaw frozen pipes. The American Red Cross offers tips to prevent pipes from freezing and what to do if it happens. Hang onto this issue of the December Chapter Monthly Update for its connection to these valuable links of organizations and tips.

ICC online training events offer live, one-on-one instructor contact without the travel expenses

Live training events are available from any location with an internet connection. Virtual classrooms are different from web sessions. When you join a virtual classroom, you can actually see your instructor and those in the physical classroom and they can see you. A Virtual Classroom is a hybrid learning environment where you participate remotely and experience the same collaboration, instructor interaction and learning benefits as if you were physically in the classroom. According to a recent study done by Training Magazine, 86% of virtual classroom participants rated the experience “just as engaging” or “more engaging than” traditional classroom training. Here are benefits of Virtual Training:

• Saves you money by eliminating travel costs
• Saves you time because you never have to leave your home or office
• Obtain CEUs to apply towards certification renewal
• Gets remote teams training together
• Encourages collaboration among the learning group both virtually and in the physical classroom

See the list of new live training classes at the end of this Chapter Monthly Update.

FEMA’s 2018 National Preparedness Report finds codes helped to decrease disaster damage

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently published its https://www.fema.gov/national-preparedness-report">2018 National Preparedness Report. In its seventh year, this report summarizes the nation's progress toward becoming more secure and resilient. It found communities benefit from building codes and offered 13 key findings that highlight successes and challenges across five core capabilities that have faced Persistent Preparedness Challenges—Operational Coordination, Infrastructure Systems, Housing, Economic Recovery, and Cybersecurity. The report highlights lessons learned from previous responses, along with findings from preparedness activities. Codes are highlighted as increasing the resilience of infrastructure as well as decreasing the damage disasters can cause and the likelihood of fatalities. For housing, the report says “building codes and regulations play a key role in promoting housing resiliency.” The 2018 National Preparedness Report also identifies gains made in preparedness across the nation and identifies where challenges remain. These findings provide insights into preparedness and informs decisions about future program priorities, resource allocations, and community actions.

2018 IgCC helps communities save money, protect resources and improve the health, life and safety

The newly published 2018 International Green Construction Code provides a whole systems approach to the design, construction and operation of buildings and includes cost-effective measures that result in lower operating costs, better indoor environments, lower impact on natural resources, and improved neighborhood connections and walkability. A public-private collaboration, the green code correlates with the International Energy Conservation Code, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 and many other referenced standards. It helps governments streamline code development and adoption; saves them the time and money needed to develop their own codes; and creates uniformity among adopting jurisdictions.

GOT PULSE? ICC Government Relations’ Justin Wiley leads podcast to update progress made by ANCR

Code Council Vice President of Government Relations Justin Wiley appears as the guest host for Episode 10 of the ICC Pulse Podcast. Resilience expert Ryan Colker joins Justin for a conversation about the Alliance for National and Community Resilience (ANCR). Ryan has served on the ANCR Board of Directors and recently joined ICC as Vice President of Innovation and ANCR’s executive director. He shares his resilience expertise and insight on the ANCR’s first benchmark focused on buildings. Click here to listen, and be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Spotify.

Top hoarding expert and speaker Matt Paxton is featured in a bonus edition of the ICC Pulse Podcast

A special edition episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast features Matt Paxton, top hoarding expert and cleaner on the hit television show HOARDERS. Matt, who served as the keynote speaker at the 2018 ICC Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., shares his expertise about a topic that is inextricably linked to building safety, fire prevention and the codes. Click here to listen.

December 15: ICC will convert publications from ProtectedPDF to new versatile Watermark version

Effective Dec. 15, code professionals who purchased International Codes (I-Codes), state codes or other selected publications from the Code Council in either a PDF download or CD format will need to upgrade from the older ProtectedPDF to a newer, more versatile watermark version. After Dec. 15, the older ProtectedPDF versions will no longer work. The new watermark version allows users to access and view the codes on tablets and phones, vitally important for work in the field. The new watermark version files also work with any PDF reader, can be placed on two devices and do not require a serial number for viewing the PDF. Customers who have already downloaded the watermark version or sent the information on CD do not need to take any further action. Read more about it here.

Upcoming from the ICC Learning Center: Institutes, training, seminars, webinars, etc.

Online learning is available from the ICC Learning Center. Find course listings you’d like to attend in the Learning Center using the Search function. Single-day training events are an opportunity to focus on topics to ensure your code knowledge stays up to date, with some seminars offering a Virtual Classroom option so you can participate in the event from any location with an internet connection:

• December 6 - Report Writing for Code Officials.
• December 6 - Deep Foundations - Overview and Design Example.
• December 11 - Free Webinar: Design of Post-Tensioned Floors using PT Designer.
• December 12 – Chimneys and Vents. 2015 IFGC Webinar Series.
• December 13 - Two-Way Post-Tensioned Slab Design.
• December 18 - Fire Resistance Design for Wood Construction - A Primer for Structural Engineers.
• December 19 – Specific Appliances and Gaseous Hydrogen Systems. 2015 IFGC Webinar Series.
• January 15-22 - Multi Day Virtual Event, Inspector Skills.
• January 15 - 2018 IRC® Essentials
• January 17 - 2018 IBC® Means of Egress
• January 18 - https://learn.iccsafe.org/?course_id=34236">Basic Code Enforcement 
• January 18 - 2018 IPMC® Overview
• January 30 - Legal Aspects of Code Administration
• February 7 - 2016 CBC Essentials
• February 14 - 2016 CRC Essentials

The following is the updated list of ICC Institutes and other training opportunities across the nation. Find course listings you’d like to attend in the Learning Center using the Search function:

• December 6 at MicroTek in Chicago, Report Writing for Code Officials.
• December 10-11 in Orlando, Fla., “When Disaster Strikes” Institute.
• January 11 at Country Club Hills, Ill., 2018 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Provisions.
• January 16 in Pittsburgh, Penn., Significant Changes from ASCE 7–10 to ASCE 7–16.
• January 24 in Miami Beach, Fla., Significant Changes from ASCE 7–10 to ASCE 7–16.
• January 28-31, in Brea, Calif., Code Official Institute.
• February 4-8, in Chaska, Minn., Upper Great Plains Region III Educational Institute.
• February 6, in Austin, Texas, Significant Changes from ASCE 7–10 to ASCE 7–16.
• February 11-13 in Portland, Ore., Principles of Building Safety Institute.
• February 15 at Country Club Hills, Ill., Accessibility & Usability: Commercial and Residential.
• February 22 at Country Club Hills, Ill., 2018 IFC® & IBC® Hazardous Materials Provisions.
• March 5 at Charleston, S.C., Significant Changes from ASCE 7–10 to ASCE 7–16.

Certification Test Academies feature interactive and question-based review for the exam. Students will receive a voucher to take the exam at a later date. Upcoming Academies:

• December 11-14, B2 Com. Build. Insp. in Brea, Calif.

The ICC has revised the cdpAccess online voting format and there has been some confusion when first viewing the site. Attached are revised directions for using the cdpAcces online voting that will be helpful to you and the members of your organizations. Please pass these along so that everyone who would like to vote can have a good understanding of the new format.

pdf CDP Access guide (1.60 MB)   pdf NYSBOC voting guide 11-20-2018 (1.62 MB)

Attahched is a thank you from Steve L. McDaniel. Steve was recently elected to the ICC Board of Directors. It can be read by clicking on the following link,  pdf Thank You from Steve McDaniel (125 KB)

Click the following link for the instructions. pdf CE-200 Form Instructions for Home Owners (137 KB)

Dear ICC Governmental Member Voting Representatives,

The International Code Council’s new and improved Electronic Voter Validation Site is now open. Primary Representatives of current Governmental Members can click here to login and validate your Governmental Member Voting Representatives.

Governmental Member Voting Representatives must be validated each year. This year, Voting Representatives must have their credentials validated by March 16 in order to fully participate in the Code Development Process.

Any governmental units wishing to join or renew as Governmental Members must do so by March 16 in order to participate in the 2018 Code Development Process.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact ICC Member Services at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Member Services staff at 888-ICC-SAFE (888-422-7233) x33804.

Thank you for your participation and continued support.

     DOS recently placed a number of new technical bulletins on their website.

Click here to view the bulletins.

    Listed below are links to ICC ES Reprts for I-joist as they pertain to the membrane protection per R302.13.

Anthony Eacom
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1262.pdf(references ESR-1405)
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1405.pdf(“Revised June, 2016”; Section 4.3, Figures 4-9)

Boise
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1336.pdf (Section 4.16 and Figures 8-13)
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1144.pdf(ALLJOIST, Section 4.13, Figures 3-8)

International Beams
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1290.pdf

Louisiana Pacific
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1305.pdf(references ESR-1405; Flameblock in section 4.9)

Nordic
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1742.pdf

Barrette Structural (OJ Open Web Joists)
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-2999.pdf(“Corrected December 2015”)

Pacific Woodtech
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1225.pdf

Roseburg
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1251.pdf(“Revised April, 2016”; Section 4.9 referencesESR-1405)
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1405.pdf(“RevisedJune, 2016”; Section 4.3, Figures 4-9)

Trus Joist/Weyerhaeuser
http://www.icc-es.org/Reports/pdf_files/ESR-1153.pdf(“Revised March 2016”; Flak Jacket Section 4.17)
www.woodbywy.com/document/pfs-ch9d/ PFS/TECO fire listing, Assembly FJ-2 for single family)

Also, here is the link to a post installation spray-on coating manufacturer that holds a listing related to R302.13. Keep in mind different floor joist manufacturers may have different stances regarding the use of the product on their product, so that should be addressed prior to construction.

No-Burn
http://www.iapmoes.org/Documents/ER_0305.pdf(Section 3.5 and Table 4)

    NY State Statewide Learning Management System (SLMS)

You can view your CEO training history using the Statewide Learning Management System (SLMS). The enroll pllease click the following link: NYS Divivion of Codes SLMS page

   From the NYS Division of Building Standards and Codes:

Notice of Emergency Rule Adoption effective January 1, 2015 regarding truss type, pre-engineered wood or timber construction in residential structures. Click here to read the entire notice. The rule text is available by clicking here. (PDF format).

To view some helpful information, click on the following links: 
Sample NOTICE OF UTILIZATION OF TRUSS TYPE CONSTRUCTION
Truss Placard Specifications

Listed below are documents you might want to include with your office set of plans and the job site copy.
Truss Placard for floor and roof          Truss Placard for floor          Truss Placard for roof

Listed below are some distributors that we have identified. An internet search for "Truss Sign" will provide other distributors.

 Ron Piester explains the history of the building Codes. To view the video, click here.