DPS Holds Open House for Recently Adopted Green Building Codes

DPS will hold an Open House on December 18, 2017 on the recently adopted International Green Construction Code (IgCC) 2012 . The codes are scheduled to go into effect on December 27, 2017.  

DPS IgCC OPEN HOUSE 

Date: December 18, 2017 

Time: 10 am to 1 pm 

Location: EOB Auditorium 101 Monroe Street 

Contact: Mark Nauman at Mark.Nauman@montogmerycountymd.gov for more information. 

DPS Staff Give High School Students a Professional Inspection  

DPS Managers Dave Burch and Jim Sackett met with the Montgomery County Students Construction Trades Foundation program earlier this month. "We meet with the students at least annually and take them through a framing inspection." says Jim Sackett, DPS Residential Inspections Manager, "We discuss the building codes, as well as the DPS inspection and permitting processes.  These visits are about encouraging the students and providing positive reinforcement regarding the opportunities that lie ahead in the construction field, both in the trades and on the government regulatory side." 

Greatest Safety Device Ever Employed 

Since the introduction of Ground Fault Interrupters requirements in 1970's there has been a significant decrease in  accidental deaths by electrocution.  Depending on population estimations,  there has been a decrease of 78 percent of deaths, making it one of the greatest safety devices ever employed.

If your home was built before 1970 you may want to check and see if your outlets have GFI especially in your bathrooms.  For more information on GFIs check with the Electrical Safety Foundation International.  

New Wind Bracing Requirements 

The IRC requires that walls in residential construction be designed to withstand wind loads.  This information is often missing from application submissions resulting in avoidable delay in the ability to approve submitted plans.  Please be certain to include this information with plans submittals. As of January 3, 2018, DPS will require that construction documents for new homes and townhouses applications include wind bracing information for wood-framed walls. Applications missing the required information may be rejected.

Wind/Wall Bracing Presentation now available online! 

Model House Program Updated

 As of January 3, 2018, the updated model house program  is in effect. This program enables a site-specific building permit application process valid for an unlimited number of permits in the current building code cycle. 

Property Tax Credits for Accessible Homes 

Homeowners and Businesses can benefit from the Design for Life program.                                      Go to www.designforlifemc.org to find out more!