Industry News
Public Comments on 2021 I-Codes – Deadline March 12, 2023
The process of reviewing the 2021 International Codes for adoption in the Commonwealth officially started on Saturday, November 12, 2022, with the opening of the public comment period on those sections of the code that are considered "modified sections" or "additional...
Pennsylvania Industrialized Buildings Program – Update
Communication from PA DCED: Please see the following link published on Feb 11, 2023, in the Pennsylvania Bulletin: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol53/53-6/181.html As published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, the...
Act 123 of 2022, Alternate refrigerant exemption from UCC
On November 3, 2022, PA Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 123 of 2022 into law (formerly known as SB2079) amending Section 901 of the PA Construction Code Act (Act 45 of 1999). The PA Construction Code Act (PCCA) has been amended to allow the air conditioning, heating, and...
LPG Permitting & Inspecting Policy
Recently, an internal policy clarification at PA Department of Labor & Industry was released to the general building code community. The policy clarifies that "the Department expects building code officials to permit, inspect, and regulate as needed all aspects of...
PA Commonwealth Court Enjoins Enforcement of 2021 Accessibility Standards
On October 26, 2022, the PA Commonwealth Court granted an application from the Pennsylvania Builders Association for a declaratory judgement permanently enjoining the enforcement of the 2021 Accessibility provisions. Specifically, the “…Court declares Section...
NOW AVAILABLE! ICC’s 2022 Changes to the PA UCC Book
Gain full access to the 2022 updates to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and key insights into the implications of these changes. This full-color publication compiles all 2022 UCC changes to the base International Codes and presents them in an...
New PA Fireworks Legislation
On July 11, 2022, Governor Wolf signed HB 2157, which then became Act 74 of 2022. It amends the regulations that allowed widespread use of consumer fireworks in PA and was intended to reduce noise nuisances and fire hazards. Notable provisions include: Section...
Schneider Electric™ Recalls 1.4 Million Electrical Panels Due to Thermal Burn and Fire Hazards
From the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (full recall announcement). Name of Product: Square™ D QO™ Plug-on-Neutral Load Centers, also known as, Load Centers, Breaker Boxes, Electrical Panels Hazard: The load center can overheat, posing thermal burn and fire...
2018 I-Codes to Take Effect Feb 14, 2022
On Jan 26, 2022, Pennsylvania's Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRR) officially approved as final updates to the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) by adopting nearly all provisions of the 2018 International Code Council's model codes, as...
PA Adoption of Code Provisions
The following communication is from Pennsylvania's current RAC Chair (and PENNBOC President) Walt Schneider regarding the adoption of the current family of codes: 2021 has been a challenging but exciting year with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review...
Potential 2021 Code Sections for Review
Review and Advisory Council Public Comment Instructions In preparation for the review and adoption of the 2021 International Code Council (ICC) family of codes (IBC, IRC, etc) the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review & Advisory Council (RAC) is seeking...
FirstEnergy Temporarily Waiving Meter Socket Wiring Requirements
For those inspectors & electricians that may be operating within its footprint (PA and beyond), please be advised that FirstEnergy has released the following notice (Oct 29, 2021): "To help address current meter socket supply issues, FirstEnergy has temporarily...
New Acting PA Fire Commissioner Appointed
On November 5, 2021 the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego retired. On Monday, November 8, 2021, the Governor has named Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Administrator, Thomas G. Cook as the Acting Fire Commissioner.
FEMA Funding for Post-Disaster Building Code and Floodplain Management Enforcement
The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 allows communities to use FEMA Public Assistance funding for Building Code and Floodplain Management Enforcement after a federally declared disaster. For more information: FEMA Policy FP 204-079-01 Building Code and Floodplain...
Public hearing on the “Next Generation of Firefighters”
On September 13, 2021, the PA Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a public hearing on the "Next Generation of Firefighters" at the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department, Somerset County. Watch the hearing and read the testimony on the PA...