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Code Hearings Yield Victories for Multifamily Builders
Among the more significant NAHB wins affecting multifamily development at the first round of public hearings to revise the 2006 editions of the International Building Codes (IBC) was approval of a new exemption for multifamily buildings from having to provide areas of refuge as part of the means of egress. The approval indicated that the building code community recognizes the role sprinklers play in providing adequate life safety protection in multifamily construction, according to NAHB staff members and volunteers attending the meeting.
NAHB had representatives on eight of the 14 committees at the hearings, which concluded on Oct. 1 in Orlando, Fla.
A number of other multifamily-related proposals were defeated, including some that would have significantly increased emergency egress requirements, such as provisions for special stair tread markings, lighted exit strips around doors and the doubling of fire-resistance ratings for corridors.
Other proposals defeated during the hearings would have increased the IBC accessibility requirements far beyond what is required by either the Fair Housing Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act. One of those proposals would have increased exponentially the number of accessible parking spaces required.
Two defeated proposals would have greatly increased construction costs. One would have mandated continuous air barrier requirements, and the other would have required air leakage testing for all buildings.
Many of these first-round decisions will need to be further defended at the International Code Council Final Action Hearings in May, in Rochester, N.Y. NAHB’s Construction, Codes and Standards staff already have begun intensive preparation for those hearings.
For a related story in this week’s issue of NBN on the outcome of the code hearings, click here.
For more information, e-mail Jeff Inks at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8547.
 Enter Pillars to Be 'Best of the Best' in Multifamily
The application deadline for NAHB Multifamily’s 2007 Pillars of the Industry Awards program — which honors excellence in multifamily design, development, marketing and management — is Nov. 30.
A showcase of innovation and future trends, Pillars is considered to be the most prestigious national awards competition in the multifamily housing industry.
The winners will be honored at a gala ceremony held in conjunction with NAHB Multifamily’s Pillars of the Industry Conference at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Fla. on April 11-13.
For more information and to apply, visit www.nahb.org/pillarsawards, or e-mail Laura Zaner at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8563.
 Save the Date for the Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference
Attend the Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference, the premier industry event for the multifamily industry, on April 11-13 at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Fla.
Visit www.nahb.org/pillars for more information.
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