ICC SELECTS FLASH TO OPERATE FOUNDATION, EVALUATES POTENTIAL ALLIANCE OR MERGER

International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland has announced the selection of the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®), Inc. to operate its Foundation programs while the two organizations evaluate a potential strategic alliance or merger. The move aligns two nonprofits that share a similar mission to support strong, sustainable and disaster resistant building practices.

“We believe that leveraging our existing partnership by aligning the Code Council’s broad base of 40,000-plus members with the nimble, award-winning education program expertise of FLASH is a formula for success,” said Weiland. “FLASH’s track record of raising national awareness of residential property protection and life safety information is unparalleled. We are confident that FLASH will make great things happen at the International Code Council Foundation (ICCF).”

According to FLASH CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson, “Joint work with the Code Council’s Foundation aligns us with one of the most significant professions in building safety—the code enforcement official. As we approach our 10-year anniversary next year, we cannot imagine a more promising way to expand our ability to reach citizens across the United States and beyond with the information they desire and need to protect their families and homes from disaster.”

The ICC Foundation (ICCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating the devastating effects of natural disasters and other building tragedies by promoting ideas, methods and technologies that encourage the construction of durable, sustainable buildings and homes. The ICCF is a subsidiary of the Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention.

FLASH is a coalition of government agencies, professional associations and private industry committed to strengthening homes, safeguarding families and protecting economic well-being by promoting disaster preparedness. Based in Tallahassee, FL, FLASH is the nation’s fastest-growing disaster preparedness education organization.

COALITION PROMOTES ROLE CODE OFFICIALS PLAY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

A national coalition will undertake the goal of educating the public, industry and elected officials about the critical role code officials play in improving the level of safety in the built environment.

The Raise the Profile Coalition is made up of building safety professionals, trade associations, manufacturers, consumers and other stakeholders committed to improving public safety by raising awareness of code officials’ roles. The coalition includes the American Association of Code Enforcement, Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), International Association of Electrical Inspectors, International Association of Fire Chiefs—Fire & Life Safety Section, International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials, International City/County Management Association, International Code Council (ICC) and National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

The application of contemporary codes has dramatically improved the level of safety in buildings and their environs. To maintain and enhance the level of safety America has today, the Raise the Profile Coalition advocates continuing improvements.

Key to building safety is the code official who reviews plans, issues permits and inspects the work and property for code compliance. However, lack of knowledge about why buildings are safe has resulted in little public awareness about the important role that code officials play in the everyday lives of citizens. This lack of awareness hinders public safety agencies from achieving higher levels of compliance and even safer communities. To change this situation and raise the profile of code officials, the signatory organizations have committed to a long-term effort that will focus on informing the public about the important role code officials play in making everyday life healthier, more comfortable, increasingly efficient and safer.

ANDERSON JOINS AAMA AS CODES, INDUSTRY AFFAIRS MANAGER

Chuck Anderson has been named the codes and industry affairs manager for the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), Schaumburg, IL. He will serve as technical liaison between AAMA and affiliated industry organizations including standards-setting associations, building products coalitions and government agencies, as well as state, local and international code groups.

As codes and industry affairs manager, Anderson fills the position vacated by Ken Brenden, who assumes the role of technical standards manager and now oversees the development and distribution of all AAMA technical documents and standards.

“[Anderson] has 22 years of engineering-related experience, eight of which involve fenestration, and has been a valuable AAMA contributor for many years,” noted Rich Walker, AAMA's president and CEO. “Chuck also is registered as a professional engineer in the state of North Carolina, which will help with his code-related responsibilities in Southeastern states.”

SIMPSON STRONG-TIE ANNOUNCES NATIONAL SPONSORSHIP WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Simpson Strong-Tie, Pleasanton, CA, has announced its national sponsorship agreement with Habitat for Humanity International. Over the next four years, Simpson Strong-Tie will donate $1 million in cash and products to help support Habitat’s house projects across North America and its national programs, such as the Gulf Coast recovery program and the Jimmy Carter Work Project. Simpson’s national agreement also includes employee volunteer time to help with building Habitat homes.

“Through its relationship with local Habitat affiliates, Simpson Strong-Tie has been making a difference in lives of Habitat homeowners for some time,” said Mark Crozet, senior vice president of resource development for Habitat for Humanity International. “Their focus on local communities and the families that live in them is just one of the reasons why Habitat for Humanity International is so excited to announce this national partnership.”

As a manufacturer of structural connectors, prefabricated shearwall panels and other fastening systems, Simpson Strong-Tie products reinforce the frame of a home, increasing its ability to resist high winds and earthquakes. The company has supported Habitat for Humanity for more than a decade, it adds.

ATRIUM LAUNCHES NEW VINYL IMPACT PRODUCTS

SafeHarbor® vinyl impact windows and doors, a new line of products from Atrium, Dallas, TX, offer a comprehensive solution for both new construction and replacement applications, the company states.

The expansion of the SafeHarbor line is a direct result of meeting an ongoing need in the market for vinyl, impact-resistant products that meet or exceed code requirements and are of high quality and contemporary styling, it adds. The new line of vinyl products includes single- and double-hung models as well as casement and horizontal sliding windows and sliding patio doors.

The line carries Certified Design Pressure (DP) ratings up to 55 for windows and 60 for sliding glass doors, the company reports, and DP ratings that meet coastal wind and hurricane debris code requirements. The products also meet American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) hurricane debris protocols and are approved for hurricane impact zones all along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, it adds.

“With this new line, our customers can feel confident we’ve got them covered for all of their new construction and replacement needs in both impact and non-impact products,” said Chris Reilly, director of marketing communications and replacement programs for Atrium Companies.

SILVER LINE DISPLAYS NEW CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS AT 21ST CENTURY BUILDING EXPO

The Series 2900 Single Hung Weather Stopper™ impact-resistant window, for areas prone to hurricanes and other severe storms, was among the products displayed by Silver Line Windows, North Brunswick, NJ, at the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference held September 13 to 14 at the Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC.

Also on display was the company’s array of single-hung, double-hung and casement windows, which provide energy-efficient performance, low-maintenance designs and quick, accurate installations.

SHASHLO NAMED SIMONTON VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS

Simonton Windows®, Parkersburg, WV, has named Andy Shashlo to fill the position of vice president operations. Shashlo started with Simonton in mid-June and is responsible for managing and directing the areas of quality, traffic and sourcing along with overseeing the company’s East Coast manufacturing operations. These include multiple facilities in West Virginia along with single plant operations in Oklahoma, Illinois and Georgia.

Prior to joining Simonton, Shashlo most recently served as site manager for Ford Motor Co.’s Rouge Facility, which comprises four separate plants and employs more than 6,500 people.

“[Shashlo] brings with him direct experiences in managing quality and logistics along with having served three years as the head of operations for Ford Australia. His strong experiences in manufacturing will be an asset to Simonton,” said Mark Savan, president of Simonton Windows.