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Gilbeau to bring NBFAA insight to international code council

Gilbeau to bring NBFAA insight to international code council

IRVING, Texas--Saying they're happy to have a seat at the table, the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association announced that its president, Merlin Gilbeau, will join the International Code Council advisory board. "Not only will we have a better idea what's going on with the ICC, so we can stay on top of it and convey that information to our membership, we can also bring issues that the ICC hasn't thought of to their attention," said Georgia Calaway, NBFAA communications director. Gilbeau joins representatives from many other industries and companies on the ICC, which develops codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings. While a code must be adopted by a city, county or state before it can be enforced, many jurisdictions that adopt codes choose ICC codes, said Steve Daggers, vice president of communication for ICC. Frequently, jurisdictions use ICC codes as a starting point for developing their own codes. Currently 45 states and Washington, D.C., use versions of ICC building codes. Thirty-six states and Washington, D.C. also use ICC fire codes, Daggers said. Involving various industries in the process is important to the outcome of the codes, he said. "The advisory board level is where the codes start. That's where industry, code enforcement, architects, and engineers get an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas," he said. Gilbeau said that there are instances where entities have developed codes or standards that unwittingly work against NBFAA members. "In some cases codes can hinder consumers from putting in systems that protect homes, buildings and lives," he said. "Being on the ICC is not just another item to add to the NBFAA resume," he said. "It will be an important part of what we do as an association for standards and standards-creation."

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