Mia Marvelli

Executive Director's Message
Spring in California is both wonderful and full of challenges. This spring, many California communities face a different kind of regeneration, as they clean up and rebuild after the numerous natural disasters that damaged and destroyed homes and businesses. We send our heartfelt condolences to those affected by fires, flooding and mudslides. And we remind you that the California Building Standards Code, in all of its parts, is designed to support smart, sustainable and safe building practices. In fact, the theme of the International Code Council’s (ICC) Building Safety Month this month is “No Code. No Confidence.” This is another way of saying that the use and enforcement of building codes creates confidence that our built environment is as safe as possible. Each year, the leadership of the code proposing and adopting state agencies – including the Department of Housing and Community Development, the State Fire Marshal and the Division of the State Architect – joins CBSC in support of this nationwide initiative. For more information about ICC’s Building Safety month, click here.
  
 
CBSC staff are currently engaged in wrapping up the 2018 Triennial Code Adoption Cycle. They are working closely with all of the state agencies that contribute to the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 24), to complete the codification process that will result in the 2019 edition of Title 24. See our feature article "The Code Adoption Process - Codification and Publication of Title 24” for more about this complex process.

One important person who helps us accomplish all of the tasks set before CBSC each day is Katrina Benny, our Staff Services Manager. You can read about Katrina in our Staff Spotlight. Her efforts are invaluable to the commissioners, executives and staff of CBSC.

With the upcoming publication of Title 24 on July 1, 2019, our training and education efforts will be increasing. We provide training that focuses on the application of nonresidential CALGreen (an acronym for the California Green Building Standards Code, which is Part 11 of Title 24), the code development process, the makeup of Title 24, and which state agencies are responsible for proposing building standard amendments. Your organization can request training via the Education and Outreach (E&O) webpage accessed via the Featured Links on the homepage of our new website, www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC.

We also have several publications you may wish to view online, such as our Guide to Title 24, Guide to CALGreen or the Public Guide to the Building Standards Adoption Process. These are being (or have been) updated to coincide with the upcoming new edition of Title 24, and they are easy to find on our new website under Resources. I am pleased to announce that we will soon be adding a third video to our educational video library found on our E&O webpage, and more are on the way. If you have an idea for a topic we should cover in a short video, please let us know.

As summer and the release of the new edition of Title 24 draw near, CBSC looks forward to continuing to support design professionals, builders and enforcement officials with helpful information and guidance regarding the use and development of the California Building Standards Code as Californians build – and rebuild – during the coming years. Watch for an article about the local code adoption process in the next edition of CALCode Quarterly. If you have questions or comments about anything in this newsletter or on our website, you may contact us at cbsctraining@dgs.ca.gov or call (916) 263-0916.

Staff Spotlight
Since June 2009, Katrina Benny has been Staff Services Manager for the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), where she oversees the commission’s administrative staff and its day-to-day activities, such as budgets, human resources, procurement, scheduling and managing various public meetings, overseeing education and outreach events, and managing CBSC’s website. If CBSC were a ship, she would be first mate!
 
 
These past 10 years have been a whirlwind, during which Katrina has seen the creation and expansion of the Building Standards Administration Special Revolving Fund (BSASRF). The BSASRF supports CBSC’s Education and Outreach Unit, which primarily promotes the first-in-the-nation California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). Most recently, the unit has expanded outreach to media production and began producing videos to educate stakeholders and the public about CBSC. (View videos on our Education and Outreach webpage.)

Katrina says her favorite thing about working at CBSC is the same as most would say (and have said before): She admires the staff, who exhibit dedication and support of one another while getting the job done. From working together on triennial and intervening code adoption cycles to the Our Promise charity campaign, this team makes being their manager rewarding and fulfilling for Katrina.

Her most unusual experience as a manager was working with the California Highway Patrol security detail for Governor Schwarzenegger when he visited CBSC’s education and outreach booth to discuss CALGreen with then-Executive Director Dave Walls at the 2010 Green Summit Expo in Sacramento.

Before becoming a state employee, Katrina worked in the printing business, starting out as a graphic designer for the Golden 1 Credit Union and then as a project planner for Foundation Health, now Health Net. In fact, when she first joined the state, she worked as a Printing Plant Operations Planner at the Office of State Publishing.

Katrina is a Sacramento native, mother of three adult children, and resides in Lincoln with her husband Dave. She also has an extended four-legged family of three dogs and four cats. She loves paper crafting (mainly stamping), and frequently shares distinctive, holiday-themed crafts with staff.

The Code Adoption Process - Codification and Publication of Title 24
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) administers and oversees the rulemaking process for building standards that results in the publication of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 24). Over the past year, CALCode Quarterly included articles discussing the code adoption process; outlining how rulemaking proceeds from the development of new or amended building standards through the public comment phase; and on to the review, adoption and approval by the commission. The next steps are to codify and publish the building standards, making them available for use by design professionals, builders, building officials and inspectors, among many others.

Codification   

Following the commission’s review, approval and adoption of new or amended building standards, or the order to repeal building standards, the changes must be codified and then published for inclusion in the appropriate parts of Title 24. Essentially, codification is the arranging and organizing of the approved or repealed building standards into actual code text for publication. Different symbols are used to indicate new or repealed content, including margin markings. See the beginning of each part of Title 24 for a legend on how to determine where changes have been made. During the triennial code adoption cycle for a new edition of Title 24, the codification process can take up to six months from the time the commission approves, adopts or repeals building standards until the new Title 24 is published and available for the end users.
 
 
During the codification process, CBSC staff assembles documents for each part of Title 24 that are then delivered to the publisher. These documents are a blend of the adopting and proposing agencies’ approved final express terms (new code language) into the new (triennial cycle) or existing (intervening cycle) Title 24.

The new code language may include:
•     California amendments to model codes (new or continuing existing amendments)
•     Amendments to California-only codes (some new and some amending existing state language)
•     Repeal of existing code language

The publishers then merge the new or repealed text into the appropriate part of Title 24 and provide CBSC staff with proofs for review and approval for publication. The proofing process must involve representatives from the adopting and proposing agencies who know the text and intended placement of the new language. This proofing is essential to ensure that the approved final express terms have been properly incorporated into the code language. The proofs may go back and forth between the publisher and CBSC a number of times so that when the new edition of Title 24 is published it is accurate and complete. All the CBSC staff, agency representatives and publishers involved in the process face tight deadlines in order to meet the publication date.
Publication of the 2019 Title 24 is scheduled for July 1, 2019. The effective date for most of the code is 180 days after publication, or at any later date as authorized by the commission. In this case, the effective date will be January 1, 2020. However, changes to the California Administrative Code (Title 24, Part 1) are effective 30 days after filing with the Secretary of State, as are any Changes Without Regulatory Effect (CWoRE). Emergency building standards go into effect upon filing with the Secretary of State, or on a date determined by the state agency proposing the emergency, or a date set by CBSC upon approval and adoption.

Three Forms of Publications:

1. New edition: A triennial code adoption cycle results in the publication of a new edition of Title 24 (in new binders) to include the adoption of new building standards and model codes with necessary California amendments. The code pages are printed on white paper.
2. Errata to current edition: When the current edition of Title 24 is amended by the correction of a nonsubstantive error or omission that does not have regulatory effect, such as printing, spelling, grammar or other items, errata are issued. Errata are published and printed on buff-colored paper and are automatically distributed to purchasers of Title 24 who have registered their code subscription with the appropriate publisher for insertion in their copy of Title 24.
3. Supplements to current edition: A supplement is published when the current edition of Title 24 is amended during an intervening code cycle, or by an emergency rulemaking or a CWoRE. A supplement is printed on blue paper for insertion into the current edition of Title 24. Supplements are also automatically sent to registered code subscribers.

When errata or supplements are issued, the page(s) containing the affected building standards – and possibly the adjacent page(s) impacted by the changes – must be republished in order to maintain the continuity of the remaining text. A guide titled Maintaining Your Title 24 is a helpful resource that contains information for properly updating your current version of the California Building Standards Code with supplements and errata. It is available on the Resources page of CBSC’s website under “Guidebooks on Title 24.”

The Publishers:

  International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)

• Parts 4 & 5 – based on model codes with California amendments

  International Code Council (ICC)

• Parts 2, 2.5, 9 & 10 – based on model codes with California amendments
• Parts 1, 6, 8, 11 & 12 – California codes

  National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• Part 3 – based on model code with California amendments

The new Title 24 is available to purchase in whole or in part.  CBSC’s website also provides contact information for each of these code publishers under the Codes tab. Note that the publishers usually offer incentives for early purchasing, so be sure to get your order in soon.  Printed code books will be available no later than July 1, 2019.

This concludes our explanation of the rulemaking process as it pertains to the codification and publication of Title 24. For another perspective on this topic, go to our Education and Outreach webpage to watch our educational video, “About the CBSC Rulemaking Process.” We also suggest reviewing our Guide to Title 24, which contains information about purchasing and maintaining your Title 24. If you have any questions or suggestions of topics for future articles in our newsletter, please contact us at cbsctraining@dgs.ca.gov.
 

Title 24 Parts 8, 10 & 12 Publishing Change for 2019 Edition
In an effort to make the California Building Standards Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulations) more user-friendly and manageable, CBSC worked with the publisher to combine Part 8 (Historical Building Code), Part 10 (Existing Building Code) and Part 12 (Referenced Standards Code) into one binder.

In past editions of Title 24, Parts 8 and 10 have been published in the back of the Part 2, Volume 2 binder. Due to the expanded adopted model code content of Part 10, and expected future amendments, it is no longer feasible to include Part 10 in the Part 2, Volume 2 binder. Therefore, with the publication of the 2019 Title 24, Parts 8, 10 and 12 will be in one shared binder.

This will allow for the insertion of errata and supplements over the next three years in a binder that will have enough room for those additional pages. Publication of the 2019 Title 24 will take place on or before July 1, 2019 and the codes go into effect on January 1, 2020.

The International Code Council's Workforce Initiatives 

According to reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry lost approximately 2.3 million workers – 40 percent of its workforce – between April 2006 and January 2011, with six in 10 of those workers leaving the industry due to the housing crisis and recession. Today, the construction industry is struggling to fill an estimated 500,000 jobs and an even greater gap is expected in the future. The repercussions of this labor shortage are being felt widely throughout the building safety industry.

The International Code Council (ICC) is taking proactive steps to help stem the labor shortages in the built environment. A few years ago, the association created Safety 2.0, a series of programs designed to attract new members to the building safety professions. “Through our Safety 2.0 programs, we work with organizations and individuals across the U.S. to teach students in technical high schools and colleges how to navigate the building codes and give them a leg up as they transition into the building trades and code professions,” said Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations Sara Yerkes.
 
 
Also a part of the Safety 2.0 Program, the Military Families Career Path Program was created to help veterans and their family members find rewarding careers in building safety. “We believe that veterans share many of the same characteristics and qualities we need in code professionals, including integrity, an understanding of laws and regulations, ethics, technical savvy, and a commitment to serve,” Yerkes said. “The Code Council is committed to supporting our community and to finding the next generation of code professionals and skilled workers.”

In addition to Safety 2.0, the Code Council Learning Center offers a number of educational tools and training opportunities for those seeking further professional development. For California, the Learning Center offers training for the 2016 California Building Code (CBC) and 2016 California Residential Code (CRC). These seminars help participants identify the critical concepts in the codes and learn the fundamentals required for correct utilization. (Courses addressing the 2019 CBC and CRC, to be published in July, will be added to the catalog soon.)

Last year the Code Council demonstrated its commitment to welcoming the next generation of building safety professionals by signing a letter of support for the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This bill was signed into law in July 2018 and reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, the primary source of federal funding for the improvement of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs through 2024.

Although the issue of labor shortage within the construction industry will take some time to fully conquer, the Code Council remains devoted to addressing the high demand for a new wave of skilled building professionals.

Submitted by ICC’s Communications Team – March 22, 2019

CALCode Quarterly Survey
Have you watched our new videos, including About the California Building Standards Commission, on our Education and Outreach webpage?  Click on one selection below to respond to our survey.  Thank you for participating!

Yes. They're awesome!
Yes, and I have suggestions for future topics. I'll send you an email at CBSCtraining@dgs.ca.gov.
Not yet, but I'm looking forward to it!
No, but I would like to see educational videos about Title 24, rulemaking and the local ordinance process.  I'll be sure to view them soon.

California Building Officials Annual Business Meeting – March 20

Executive Director Mia Marvelli, Associate Architect Gary Fabian (pictured) and Associate Construction Analyst Brandon Estes attended the California Building Officials (CALBO) Annual Business Meeting in San Diego on March 19-21. Gary spoke at the State Agency Panel with a focus on current activities of CBSC, the upcoming publication of Title 24 and its updates, and issues being monitored for the future.

 International Association of Electrical Inspectors – March 29
Executive Director Mia Marvelli spoke to the Northern California Chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) in Sacramento. She described the structure, function and purpose of CBSC, explained code adoption cycles and provided highlights of the next edition of Title 24. According to its website, “IAEI has a broad membership base [and is] the voice of…electrical inspectors and those in the industry who support electrical safety through code compliance.” CBSC is proud to partner with organizations such as IAEI that represent trades impacted by the building standards in Title 24.

  Building Officials Leadership Academy – April 18
The Building Officials Leadership Academy (BOLA) is an intensive program designed by CALBO (California Building Officials) to “maximize the leadership capabilities” of California’s building safety professionals. On April 18, Executive Director Mia Marvelli spoke with academy students about how building officials can participate in the development of the building standards contained in Title 24, and how CBSC is a resource for building departments throughout the state.

 County Building Officials Association of California’s Annual Conference and Business Meeting – April 30
At the County Building Officials Association of California’s (CBOAC) Annual Conference and Business Meeting, Executive Director Mia Marvelli spoke at the State Agency Panel about the structure and composition of the commission, announced CBSC’s new website – www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC – and listed publications and guidebooks available for use by the public and local governments. She also recapped the 2018 Triennial Code Adoption Cycle, during which more than 45 rulemaking files were administered, resulting in the soon-to-be-published 2019 Title 24. Finally, she outlined the upcoming 2019 Intervening Code Adoption Cycle, which will result in supplements to the new Title 24. The CBOAC members had great questions about the local ordinance adoption process and the Swimming Pool Safety Act, which CBSC is required to reprint in Parts 2 and 2.5 of Title 24. In the coming months CBSC will work to clarify these questions in the form of an Information Bulletin and update the appropriate guides.   

International Code Council’s Los Angeles Basin Chapter Meeting - May 9
Deputy Executive Director Michael (Mike) Nearman spoke at the International Code Council’s (ICC) LA Basin Chapter Meeting. He spoke about the conclusion of the 2018 Triennial Code Adoption Cycle, the beginning of the 2019 Intervening Cycle, and notable building standards updates and developments.

On May 16, representatives from CBSC hosted a tabletop display at Green Technology’s Sustainable Facilities Forum, which featured keynote speakers, breakout sessions, state agency representatives and vendors, all with a focus on green building and sustainability in California.

CBSC's New Website and Educational Videos
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) is a commission within the Department of General Services (DGS). In late 2017, DGS embarked on a project to totally redesign its public-facing website, including CBSC’s website in the process. The new website was launched on February 15, 2019. If you have not yet had a chance to visit, the new web address is www.dgs.ca.gov/bsc. When you arrive at the site, check out the New Website Quick Reference in the Featured Links section for guidance on where content is located. You may find that some of your old links and bookmarks don’t work anymore, but rest assured that all content from the old site has been migrated to the new one. Please call or email us if you need assistance finding something – (916) 263-0916 or cbsc@dgs.ca.gov. If you have a moment, please give DGS feedback on the new website: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DGS_Website_Survey

Also on the new website are three new educational videos produced by CBSC. The first is About the California Building Standards Commission and it explains the purpose and structure of CBSC, including the commissioners, staff and committees. The second is called The California Building Standards Commission Rulemaking Process. This video describes the players involved in rulemaking, and the public process undertaken to ultimately publish regulations in the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 24). Video number three is About Title 24.  It goes through Title 24 part by part and details the contents and contributors, in addition to explaining errata and supplements. These videos can be found on the Education and Outreach page of our new website. Watch for more videos in the future, including one about the local amendment process coming soon! 

Legislative Update
CBSC tracks legislative bills of interest that may address issues related to the general design and/or construction of buildings within the state or may directly address CBSC’s authority and/or its administrative procedures. The following is a list of currently active bills that CBSC is monitoring:

AB 38 (Wood) Fire safety: State Wildfire Preparedness Board
AB 68 (Ting) & AB 69 (Ting) Land use: accessory dwelling units
AB 178 (Dahle) Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements
AB 191 (Patterson) Building standards: exemptions: rebuilding after disasters
AB 349 (Choi) Building standards: garage doors
AB 393 (Nazarian) Building codes: earthquake safety: functional recovery standard
AB 429 (Nazarian) Seismically vulnerable buildings: inventory
AB 507 (Kiley) Green building standards: review: annual report
AB 660 (Levine) Building energy efficiency standards: solar reflectance of roofs
AB 684 (Levine) Building standards: electric vehicle charging infrastructure
AB 899 (Wood) Clinic licensing
AB 1006 (Grayson) Manufactured or prefabricated housing units: statewide standards
AB 1100 (Kamlager-Dove) Electric vehicles: parking requirements
AB 1708 (Rodriguez) Emergency response: trauma kits

SB 13 (Wieckowski) Accessory dwelling units
SB 49 (Skinner) Energy efficiency
SB 53 (Wilk) Open meetings
SB 142 (Wiener) Employees: lactation accommodation
SB 190 (Dodd) Fire safety: building standards: defensible space program
SB 234 (Skinner) Family daycare homes
SB 280 (Jackson) Older adults and persons with disabilities: fall prevention
SB 330 (Skinner) Housing Crisis Act of 2019

Answers to some of these questions can be located in the California Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.5, our Guide for Creating Proposed Building Standards and the “Codification and Publication” article in this newsletter. Check your answers below.