Its time again to renew your membership with MBOA.  While the Board of Directors regrets that we can not extend the free membership offer again this year, we hope that the efforts of the organization over the last year will convince you to renew your membership.  The health and strength of our organization is our membership base which is now over 500 strong.  The collected Membership dues account for a large percentage of our operating budget and allow us to keep providing and expanding the services that you as members are receiving.  Your paid membership will also allow you to take advantage of our membership discounts on training classes that will be extended to our members next year.  To help cover costs of establishing and providing training, fess for training classes will resume again next year.  Your membership renewal will pay for itself with attending just one training class by paying the reduced member price.

To Code Enforcement Officials:

                Through discussions with plan reviewers from different jurisdictions, it has come to my attention that the building code is being interpreted differently throughout municipalities and counties in the State of Maryland.  I believe it is the intention of the International Code Council to formulate a building code process which should be interpreted in a similar manner.  In order to achieve this goal I would like, with the help of all jurisdictions, to create a regional building plan review forum.  I feel with the implementation of this plan review forum, common goals such as consistency, quality and confidence can be built throughout the permit and construction process in the State of Maryland.

                As an example, one topic this group should look into is the implementation of the enforcement of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code as mandated by the Maryland Building Performance Standards.  What is each jurisdiction doing to ensure compliance through plan review?  What type of documentation is required for residential and commercial plans?  What is the proper application of the energy code when enforcing the Maryland Rehabilitation Code?  These are questions that we are all faced with and most likely the answers vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. 

                This plan review forum group is in the very early planning stages.  I am asking for a group of volunteers to work as a committee to assist me in putting together an outline of objectives and goals for the group forum.   If you or a member of your staff is interested in serving on the committee, please let me know by September 1, 2010.  Once the goals and objectives have been established we will then be in a position to schedule our first group meeting

                I have approached the Maryland Building Officials Association (MBOA) asking for their support and assistance in developing the forum.  I received a favorable response from the Board and a commitment that we can utilize their website and communication capabilities to promote our activities.

Please feel free to contact me at 410-638-3366 or email pelawder@harfordcountymd.gov

 Paul E Lawder

Plans Reviewer, Harford County Government

Taken from the press release from the Department of Justice.

At a ceremony on the south lawn of the White House celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), President Barack Obama announced the release of updated regulations and standards by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other administrative initiatives to promote equality for people with disabilities.

"Today, the Department of Justice is publishing two new rules prohibiting disability-based discrimination," the President noted, "and beginning 18 months from now, all new buildings must be constructed in a way that's compliant with the new 2010 standards for the design of doors and windows and elevators and bathrooms -- buildings like stores and restaurants and schools and stadiums and hospitals and hotels and theaters."

The DOJ regulations update ADA standards governing the construction and alteration of facilities covered by the ADA, including places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government facilities. The new standards are based on revised minimum guidelines previously established by the Access Board that include supplements for certain types of facilities and sites not addressed before. "For the very first time, these rules will cover recreational facilities like amusement parks and marinas and gyms and golf facilities and swimming pools, and municipal facilities like courtrooms and prisons," Obama stated.

DOJ's regulations allow covered entities the choice of following either the updated standards or the original standards during the first 18 months. After this period of time, use of the 2010 standards will become mandatory. In setting the effective dates, DOJ sought to allow sufficient time for transitioning to the updated standards so as not to disrupt design and construction projects already underway. DOJ's new rules also revise or supplement other sections of its ADA regulations, including those covering existing facilities, service animals, policies and programs, maintenance of accessible features, auxiliary aids and services, and effective communication. The new rules and additional information are available on DOJ's ADA website.

New Regulations can be obtained at:

http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/ADAregs2010.htm

REHAB CODE UPDATE!!!!

MBOA recently received notification from the Maryland Codes Administration that as of July 1, 2010 the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code has been updated to adopt the 2009 International Existing Building Code.  Further questions may be directed to the Maryland Codes Administration at (410) 514-7220.

The final notifiaction and the COMAR modifications can be downloaded at MBOA Document Download Site

MBOA partners with ICC donate 2009 I-Codes and Study Materials to High School Technical Programs

As part of Building Safety Month and with the generous support of ICC, MBOA donated 30 copies of the 2009 International Building Code, 30 copies of the 2009 International Residential Code and study companions to the construction technology programs at Harford Technical High School, Washington County Vocational Technical High School and the Washington County Associated Builders and Contractors Barr Academy.  During the past academic year the Inspection Departments for Harford County and Washington County have worked with the students in each of the respective jurisdictions programs to introduce them to the international codes and the code enforcement profession.  With this being the first year for this type of program it was evident that resource materials were at a premium.

As program developers Jim Ellwood from Harford County and MBOA Board of Director Dan DiVito from Washington County continue to develop a curriculum with school representatives, it is their desire to have the students who participate in future years graduate with either a Certificate of Recognition from MBOA or even a certification as a State of Maryland Inspector through the Department Of Housing and Community Development.

WASHINGTON COUNTY PROMOTES BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

Washington County Commissioner Jim Kercheval presents proclamation to MBOA members Dan DiVito and Angela Smith declaring May to be Building Safety Month in Washington County    

Thank you to all who participated in our web poll.  The results showed that over 60% of the responses indicated that they would in interested in attending a ICC training class and would be able to pay an approximant $50.00 class fee.  This information was very helpful and has provided our education chair valuable information.  We will be setting up a class in October of 2010 and will need a minimum of 70 participants to make the numbers work.  From the input provided we will be looking at a class topic that will be on an advanced level.    

MBOA's HONORARY MEMBERS

ICC Board member Steve Jones and newly elected MBOA President Rich Truitt award "Honorary Member" status to Bill Bryant, Dave Hammerman, Jim Hana, Madison Mitchell, John Gibson, and George Martin in recognition of their outstanding contributions to MBOA.

Congratulations to Sydonia Rehm, Plan Reviewer of the Year, Joe Jones, Inspector of the Year, and Deborah Wildberger, Permit Tech of the Year

Guy Tomberlin, representing Region VII, George Martin and Mike Savage, From MBOA are honored for their efforts at ICC Annual Meeting.

MBOA Document Download Page

MBOA 2009 ANNUAL AWARDS

Interested in nominating someone for an MBOA Annual Award?  The Board is now accepting nominations for the 8th Annual Extraordinary Service Awards.

Current nominations are being accepted for;

2009 Inspector of the Year

2009 Plans Reviewer of the Year

2009 Permits Technician of the Year

Download and submit a nomination form today at the following link;

Annual Award Nomination Form