ICC Residential Sprinkler vote

[SteveOFD 176]

Saw this article at Firehouse.com and was wondering if anyone else here will be attending this convention to vote. This is an important vote to change the International Building Code (which the Building Code of NYS is based on) to require the installation of fire sprinkler systems in one and two family homes.

The above noted article, which I post a portion of below, describes what you need to know before you go:

I want to attend, what do I need to do?

The critical step is to become a governmental member of the ICC. The ICC governmental membership is available to any agency or unit of government that is engaged in administration, formulation or enforcement of laws, regulations or ordinances relating to public health, safety and welfare. The membership fee is based on the population of your community, $100 for populations up to 50,000, $180 for populations of 50,001 to 150,000, and $280 for populations over 150,000. If you are having a tough budget season and are not sure if you can justify the cost to become a member, keep in mind that as a member you will receive several ICC code books, the value of which will exceed the cost of the membership.

The membership is awarded to your agency or unit of government. If you have a population of 40,000, your agency or unit of government can have four delegates. Another government entity in your jurisdiction with code related duties could also become a member and have an additional four delegates.

The delegates representing your agency are designated by the agency head such as the fire chief or the fire marshal. To vote at this years final action hearings the designation of delegates, (or modification of the existing designations), must be completed by Sept. 10.

Myself, and three other OFD members, will be attending to cast our votes in favor of this life saving proposal. I heard that at last year's ICC convention this proposal was defeated by forty seven votes, so every vote is important.