The Alliance and National Center for Healthy Housing submitted proposals to the ICC for the 2009-2010 code change cycle. Click here for a PDF of all proposals. The codes of interest are the International Building Code (IBC), International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Residential Code (IRC), and International Existing Building Code (IEBC). The proposals address:

• Health and Safety Chapter: Prevent and eliminate health hazards by requiring compliance with health standards in IPMC, especially for toxics.

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms: Require alarms in IEBC and IPMC consistent with IRC language adopted last cycle.

• Space Heaters: Prohibit in IPMC use of unvented, portable fuel-burning space heaters as a primary source of heat, and if used, require a CO alarm.

• Renovations: Modify IEBC to require compliance with EPA’s RRP Rule in order to prevent lead hazards.

• Pre-1978 Structures: Modify IPMC to explicitly prohibit deteriorated paint because it is a presumed hazard in pre-1978 buildings, and require lead-safe repair unless approved test proves paint is not lead-based paint.

• Pest Control: Modify IPMC to require certified professional to eliminate pests in response to a pest control order.

• Infestation: Expand IPMC definition to expressly include bedbugs, cockroaches, and pest rodents, as well as visible pest residues or debris unless there is clear evidence that the pest has been eliminated.

• Sanitary: Add definition to IPMC to specify that this is a condition that is clean and free of pest infestations and residues; human and animal waste; mold; wastewater; sewage; rotting material; and uncontained rubbish or garbage.

• Formaldehyde and Wood Products: Update IBC and IRC to incorporate latest versions of the relevant ANSI standards. These ANSI standards incorporate the stringent California standards for formaldehyde emissions from wood products.

• Radon: Modify the IRC to require Radon Resistant New Constructionin accordance with the current Appendix F in the IRC or ASTM standard 1465 (two proposals).

• Moldy Building Materials: Modify IEBC and IPMC to require repair/removal/remediation of moldy permeable materials made of or containing organic materials, such as but not limited to wood, textiles, paint, cellulose insulation, and paper, including paper-faced gypsum board.

• Swimming Pool Fencing: Modify the IRC to require four sides of fencing around pools.

• Water Temperature Limits: Modify IEBC to reflect IRC language.

The organizations also support proposals from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers to require compliance with ASHRAE’s 62.2 standard for ventilation of low-rise residential buildings: whole-house mechanical ventilation; local ventilation from kitchens and bathrooms; preventing migration of contaminants from an attached garage; and exhaust of range hoods to the outside.

The proposals were submitted on June 1. ICC committees will consider the proposals as part of their deliberations in Baltimore from Oct. 24 to Nov. 11, 2009 and then they will receive a final vote (by government agency ICC members only) at a hearing in Charlotte in the fall of 2010. Both meetings are open to the public. Click here for a list of the dates for the Baltimore hearings. The Alliance encourages healthy homes advocates and code officials in all jurisdictions to support these proposals at the ICC hearings. However, only government staff can vote at the final hearing.

Click here for the Alliance and the National Center for Healthy Housing's proposals to the International Code Council for the 2007-08 code change cycle.

For more information on the model code campaign, contact Jane Malone at jmalone@afhh.org.