Mia Marvelli

Executive Director's Message
Soon the holidays will be upon us, and before you know it the 2019 edition of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 24) will be in effect on January 1, 2020. The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) and other state agencies are already working on updates and amendments to be issued as supplements in January of 2021. This work will be conducted in 2020 during what is called the Intervening Code Adoption Cycle. An intervening cycle is less rigorous than a triennial, because the state agencies are not adopting and amending the model codes, just making changes to the 2019 edition of Title 24. State agencies have conducted workshops, and the resulting proposals are due to CBSC staff by December 2, 2019. All proposals will go through the normal process of Code Advisory Committee review, and then public comment, before being presented to the commissioners for approval and adoption in July 2020. The supplements (blue pages) will be published in January 2021 and become effective July 1, 2021. For more about the rulemaking process, watch our video About the CBSC Rulemaking Process or read our Public Guide to the Building Standards Adoption Process, both available on our website.
  
 
If you are a local building official, please note that your local amendments to the 2019 edition of Title 24 must be submitted to CBSC (or other appropriate state agency) in order for them to be effective and operative (Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7). You will receive a letter back from CBSC indicating that your ordinance has been accepted for filing and it will be noted on CBSC’s Local Amendments to Building Standards webpage: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Codes/Local-Jurisdictions-Code-Ordinances. For details about the ordinance process, check out CBSC Information Bulletins 19-05 and 19-06, our Guide for Local Amendments of Building Standards publication and ICC’s Local Code Amendments Webinar video available on CBSC’s website.

CBSC has updated its publication library to help you get the most out of your new edition of Title 24. The Guide to Title 24 has been redesigned and updated for 2019. This new edition goes into detail about how Title 24 is developed, its use and application, how to decipher state agency acronyms, code section numbering and matrix adoption tables. The guide also has a chapter devoted to state agency adoptions for specific building types and an extensive glossary of terms. Another useful chapter covers how local jurisdictions adopt, amend and enforce Title 24. Code Book Fundamentals is a publication that dives deeper into everyday use of Title 24, including understanding scope and exceptions, and utilizing the assistance provided by code authors and developers. Maintaining Your Title 24 is a quick reference about how to ensure you receive issued code updates, and what to do when you receive your errata and supplements.

Our most popular publication is the Guide to CALGreen – Nonresidential. This book provides detailed information regarding individual nonresidential code sections within each division of CALGreen. Specifically, the guide details the intent of the regulations, compliance method suggestions and examples, how to enforce the codes at plan intake or during site inspections, and any exceptions. As implied in the title, CBSC’s guidebook focuses on nonresidential application of CALGreen. The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) publishes a residential guide. Both guides will be available soon from the International Code Council: https://shop.iccsafe.org/.

I encourage you to take advantage of all of these guidebooks to help you better understand, use and apply Title 24 in your area of expertise. Finally, CBSC’s staff is dedicated to helping you find the information you need to effectively use and apply building standards for a safe and sustainable built environment. Please contact us at (916) 263-1916 or cbsc@dgs.ca.gov if you ever need personal assistance.

From myself and everyone here at CBSC, we wish you all the joys of the season and happiness throughout the coming year.

CBSC Staff Walks For Literacy!
CBSC was represented at the 6th Annual Walk4Literacy on October 26 at McClatchy Park in Sacramento. Staff Services Analyst Pam Maeda, Architectural Associate Beth Maynard and Staff Services Analyst Barbara Trusley (left to right) walked 4 miles (approximately 10,000 steps) in support of the Sacramento Public Library Foundation and its children's reading and writing programs.  

               Mia Marvelli                                                                                               Michael Nearman

Staff Spotlight
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) is supported by a staff that is led by an executive director and deputy executive director. These two executives guide and manage the day-to-day activities of the commission’s staff in its mission to produce sensible and usable state building standards within the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 24). These activities are myriad:

• Administer the Title 24 rulemaking process:
  • Review rulemaking documents for compliance with state law.
  • Make the required rulemaking documents accessible and available to the public.
  • Conduct public meetings and comment periods for the technical review of proposed code changes.
  • Hold commission meetings that are open and accessible for public participation.
  • Issue information bulletins notifying interested parties about significant occurrences relevant to Title 24.
• Represent CBSC to the public, international code development organizations, building officials, those involved in the building trades, other state agencies, and the executive and legislative branches of government.
• Educate the public about Title 24 and the code adoption process.
• And more…

As you can imagine, it’s a gargantuan task that requires strong leadership skills and dedication. Luckily for CBSC, we have two such leaders at our helm.
 
 
Executive Director Mia Marvelli was appointed by the commission in February of 2016, after serving CBSC as an associate architect beginning in 2012. Prior to her appointment as executive director, Mia developed building standards and nonresidential green building regulations on behalf of CBSC, participated in education and outreach events, and enhanced interoffice policies and procedures that support the Title 24 process. She says she was at first attracted to CBSC in order to learn about the regulatory process, and soon discovered it was a perfect fit for her because the deadlines within each cycle are definite, as opposed to the flexible—and often delayed—deadlines in the architectural field.

Mia says she appreciates working with “the many passionate people devoted to code development and enforcement to make our built environment safe, sustainable and accessible. I thoroughly enjoy strategizing with colleagues in California, as well as other states interested in California’s code enhancements, to learn what has worked and not worked.”

Before joining CBSC, Mia served the state for 20 years with the Department of Water Resources and Department of General Services, where she developed construction drawings in accordance with Title 24. Mia earned her California Architect license later in life by working in the architectural field her entire career, then sitting for the exams. This is a nontraditional path to licensure and Mia has encouraged others to pursue their passion no matter how long it may take.

In her free time Mia enjoys the outdoors; gardening, hiking, fly fishing and playing soccer. She is close with her extended family, cooking traditional Sunday night dinners to visit and catch up. Mia is the proud mother of a daughter who resides in Seattle, Washington.

Mia with her trusted hiking partner, Bea, at Parker Lake in the Inyo National Forest.

Deputy Executive Director Michael (Mike) Nearman has been with CBSC since 2000. With a love of architecture and the desire for a stable career, he thought “being on the regulatory side seemed like a worthy cause.” He started at CBSC as an architectural associate and was named Deputy Executive Director in December 2011. His main focus is to shepherd the regulatory rulemaking processes of over a dozen state agencies that contribute to Title 24. He is proud of the “key role CBSC plays in the development of building standards and the importance that has for public safety.”

Mike was also one of the initial developers of CALGreen, California’s first-in-the-nation Green Building Standards Code (Part 11 of Title 24). He remains a champion of the code and all it has accomplished for reducing negative environmental impacts, and increasing positive impacts of building design, energy and water efficiency and conservation, material conservation and resource efficiency.

Mike came to the commission with many years of private-sector experience, including project and workforce management. In his time with the state, he has been impressed with his colleagues who could be dedicating their efforts toward private ventures, but who have decided to work hard for the state. He says, “It’s evidence that if you gather good people together for a common goal, great things can be accomplished.”

A dedicated husband and father of two adult sons, Mike plays as hard as he works, spending his free time on golf courses and race tracks around the state.

Mike with his race cart and Northern California Karters Corkscrew Nationals trophy from Laguna Seca Raceway in 2018.

Model codes are the foundational codes of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 24). The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) administers the process of adopting model codes for use in California, and then amending (or changing) them for the state’s specific needs and purposes.

The model codes used in California are developed by three organizations: The International Code Council (ICC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).

California does not adopt every code issued by these organizations. Which model codes are required to be adopted is dictated by state law and California Health and Safety Code Section 18916. Model code development is currently in progress at ICC and IAPMO for their 2021 codes (see below). The 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) was recently published by NFPA and is beginning to be reviewed for adoption and amendment by California state agencies.

The mission of these organizations, along with the state of California, is to provide building codes that promote high-quality, safe and sustainable buildings and associated structures, and to ensure that the codes are compatible and do not conflict.
 
 
The following parts of Title 24 are based on model codes:
Part 2      California Building Code is based on ICC’s International Building Code
Part 2.5   California Residential Code is based on ICC’s International Residential Code
Part 3      California Electrical Code is based on NFPA’s National Electrical Code
Part 4      California Mechanical Code is based on IAPMO’s Uniform Mechanical Code
Part 5      California Plumbing Code is based on IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Code
Part 9      California Fire Code is based on ICC’s International Fire Code
Part 10    California Existing Building Code is based on ICC’s Existing Building Code

All of the model code creators employ the same basic steps in the development of their codes:

Input from the public and stakeholders – Submittals for proposed code changes or additions should have support, such as an explanation of the reason for the change/addition, and a cost analysis.
Technical review of the change/addition – Committees made up of experts in the various trades, code officials, engineers and other specialists review each proposal and make their recommendations.
Public review of the change/addition – The proposals are presented to the public for review and comments. All comments are considered and addressed. Public commenters may or may not be members of the model code organizations.
Voting/Approving/Adopting – Proposals are presented to certain bodies within each organization for consideration for approval, approval with amendments, or disapproval.

If a proposal is approved, or approved with amendments, it is incorporated into the model codes, which are then published and made available for use and adoption by other jurisdictions, such as the state of California.

There are many variations on how a proposal might proceed through this process. It may undergo controversy and revisions, which requires additional review and public comment; or, it may proceed to publication with no debate or revision, due to consensus that the regulation is needed for the public’s health and safety, or to accomplish a goal such as the reduction of susceptibility to fire. Some proposals never make it into the code books.

The NFPA Journal states, “It is important to understand that no change or revision to the NEC is taken lightly. There are multiple points within the process for individuals to get involved and make their voices heard. More importantly, it is critical that users of the NEC understand that, at any point in the process, it only takes 1/3 of the committee letter ballot to prevent a potential revision from moving forward.”

Participation in the process at all three model code organizations is transparent and open to anyone who wants to have a say about building standards. For example, if you are an electrician with many years of experience, and you hear of a code proposal that you know will be extremely beneficial to your trade, you can reach out to NFPA via its website and make a supporting comment. Or, if you’re a mechanical engineer and you feel that a new regulation will cost too much to be reasonable, you can let IAPMO know by following its procedures for public comment outlined on its website. Although input is accepted from manufacturers, codes are developed to regulate what is done and how to do it, but not what actual products are used in order to comply. Manufacturers are welcome to create and promote products that accomplish code compliance.

At ICC, technology helps make the code development process easily accessible to members and stakeholders via the cdpACCESS program, which is a collaboration and voting application. Because the process is hosted online, interested parties—whether ICC members or not—do not have to travel to meetings and conventions to participate in the process. 

 

The IAPMO Code Development website states, “IAPMO is proud to utilize an open consensus process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in its code development practice. IAPMO gathers the largest assembly of plumbing and mechanical experts in the world at its annual education and business conference, where anyone—members and non-members alike—can have a voice and a vote on proposed changes to the code.”

In conclusion, if you have an interest in the building standards within Title 24 and you would like to have input into their development, be sure to participate in the model code process in addition to California’s process. This way, your voice can be heard at the foundation level as the codes are constructed for use throughout the United States and many other countries.

Find more information at these websites:
CBSC’s Rulemaking and Resources webpages: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Rulemaking or https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Resources
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ code development webpage: http://www.iapmo.org/codes-standards-development/
The International Code Council’s code development process webpage: https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/code-development/
ICC How It Works Graphic and ICC By The Numbers Graphic
The National Fire Protection Association’s codes and standards webpage: https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/Standards-development-process

State Employees Food Drive
On November 21, DGS held its annual Turkey Drop in front of the Ziggurat Building in West Sacramento.  CBSC staff pooled their funds and donated seven large turkeys to the drive! CBSC's Education and Outreach Coordinator Laura Mills helped collect turkeys, non-perishable food items and cash from generous colleagues that was then delivered to the Sacramento Food Bank.  The State Employees Food Drive is an annual enterprise that raises thousands of dollars and pounds of food for needy families throughout the state.  

Pictured: Laura Mills, Andre Ordiz, Janet Oto and Maleka Quettawala

Answers to these questions can be located in the Model Code Development Process article in this issue, and related materials. Check your answers below.

1. To eliminate conflicts with California law.
2. To help achieve California's safety and sustainability goals.
3. Both of the above.
4. Neither of the above.