FLORIDA BUILDING CODE UPDATE


    Mo Madani and Betty Stevens, Building Codes and Standards Office, Florida Building Commission, Tallahassee, FL, has announced that a Supplementary Rule Development Workshop for the 2006 Supplement to the 2004 Florida Building Code will be held July 11, 2006. Also, a new change cycle is beginning for the 2007 Florida Building Code.

    This information is being provided to all IHPA members.
•    Draft 2006 Supplement to the 2004 Florida Building Code
    The draft 2006 Supplement to the 2004 Florida Building Code is now posted in the Web site along with the May 2, 2006, tracking charts as approved by the Florida Building Commission. The tracking charts provide for the Commission decisions made at the May 2 workshop regarding the proposed code modifications to the 2004 Florida Building Code.

    The Building Code Information System (BCIS) or Web site has been updated to reflect the May 2 Commission decisions on the proposed code changes. The Florida Building Commission will hold a Supplementary Rule Development Workshop on the proposed 2006 Supplement July 11, 2006.

    To review the draft supplement and tracking charts go to www.dca.state.fl.us/fbc/thecode/1_code_modifications.htm.

    Please take some time and review the proposed changes in the draft supplement. Comments received by June 30, 2006, will be compiled and made available to the Commission at the workshop. Do not post comments on the proposed supplement to the BCIS/Web site.

    Comments also may be submitted at the Commission’s July 11 workshop.

•    Open Code Change Cycle for the 2007 Florida Building Code
    A new code change cycle has begun for the proposed 2007 Florida Building Code. The 2007 Florida Building Codes will consist of the 2006 International Building Codes (I-Codes), which will be adopted as the base documents to the 2007 Florida Building Codes and Florida-specific amendments as integrated into the 2004 Florida Building Codes. The code changes may be submitted on both the 2006 I-Code provisions and the Florida-specific requirements as adopted by the 2004 Florida Building Code.

    The cycle begins June 2, 2006. The deadline for submitting code changes is January 1, 2007. You are welcome to visit the Web site and download the code change form and save it to your hard drive. Use the saved form to submit a code change proposal.

    For instructions on submitting code change proposals please follow this link: www.dca.state.fl.us/fbc/thecode/2005_code_modifications_ Archive.htm.

    The 2006 I-Codes are available from the International Code Council (ICC). Contact ICC at: (800) 786-4452; www.iccsafe.org.

    The 2004 Florida Building Code is available through the Commission’s Web site: www.floridabuilding.org. On the home page, click on Florida Building Code. To view the code online click on 2004 Florida Building Code with supplements.



HURRICANE PROTECTION ZONE DEBUTS AT ICC CONFERENCE
    The International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA) and Hurricane Protection magazine will be the exclusive sponsors for the Hurricane Protection Zone at the upcoming International Code Council (ICC) Annual Conference set to take place September 17 and 18, 2006, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

    The Hurricane Protection Zone will be an area designated for hurricane-related products and services.

    The ICC is the largest building and safety code organization dedicated to protecting the property, health and safety of people worldwide. ICC members include state, county and municipal code enforcement and fire officials, architects, engineers, builders, contractors, elected officials, manufacturers and others in the construction industry.

    The ICC has nearly 300 chapters. Each chapter has its own personality and focus, representing all ICC member professional disciplines.
    For more information on the conference please visit abm.iccsafe.org

IHPA PRESENTS FIRST INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
    The IHPA presented its first Industry Achievement Award to Frank Storms at the association’s general meeting, May 19, Orlando, FL. President Bill Feeley made the award announcement and presented a plaque to Storms before a packed house.

    Frank Storms was largely responsible for bringing together a group of industry leaders in October 2000. The idea was to unite and to provide a voice for those involved in the hurricane protection industry. Legislation and building codes were in a constant state of change, but with no input or direction from those whose businesses it was to provide the products and services.

    With persistence, hard work and the support of those with a similar vision, the IHPA was formed and Storms became its first president. Storms’ many tireless hours helped shape the IHPA into what it is today and got it headed in the direction it is going.

    In 2005, Storms decided to step down as the association president believing any organization needs fresh leadership, ideas and input. Today, Storms remains active in the industry and the IHPA as immediate past president and as vice president, director of new business development for Metal Tech, Inc.

IHPA TEES-OFF AT FOURTH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
    The 2006 IHPA Golf Tournament was held May 18 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the Fourth Annual World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show and Conference. This year’s event was held at the Shingle Creek Golf Club, a David Hardman-designed, 7,250-yard championship course.

    This year a field of 83 golfers hit the links on a perfect sunny, clear afternoon. By day’s end, every golfer left with something: some carried away plaques marking their golfing achievement, some with gifts and prize provided by outing sponsors, and everyone with the opportunity of having made new associations with others in their industry.

    The IHPA would like to thank all those who have shared their positive comments regarding the event and especially thank the tournament sponsors. Next year’s tournament is already in the planning stages. Golfers and sponsors are urged to reserve early!

NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE EXHIBIT
    The IHPA and Hurricane Protection magazine exhibited at the National Hurricane Confer-ence, April 12 and 13 at the Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, FL.

    Tom Johnston, IHPA vice president, worked the booth seeing more than 1,500 attendees from around the country. The conference covered all major aspects of hurricane preparedness, response and recovery.

    The 2007 National Hurricane Conference is set for April 2 to 7 at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans, LA. For more information, visit www.hurricanemeeting.com.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING
     The next IHPA general meeting is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. July 20 at the Hampton Inn, Pensacola, FL. The agenda includes guest speaker Ed Carson, president, Carson Construction Inc., Florida Building Commissioner and Chairman of the Product Oversight Committee. He will speak on the Florida Panhandle wind-borne debris exemption.

    All those with interests in the hurricane protection industry are welcome to attend. For details and more information, check www.inthpa.com.