Terrorism-Related Proposals Stir Up Strong Criticism

[Dover]

Terrorism-Related Proposals Stir Up Strong Criticism

(enr.construction.com - 03/20/06)

By Nadine M. Post in Rosemont, Ill.

Designers breathed a collective sigh of relief when an International Code Council committee withheld support for most proposed changes to ICC’s model building code, proffered by ICC’s Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism Resistant Buildings. The most contentious proposal is for disproportionate collapse resistance. But others, mostly relating to fire and life safety, also are controversial.

The proposals are based on recommendations by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md., in its $16-million report on the World Trade Center destruction. Falls Church, Va.-based ICC formed the ad hoc committee (AH-TRB) to address making buildings more resistant to terrorism. This was in response to a request by New Jersey’s chief building official, William M. Connolly.

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Carl F. Baldassarra, president of fire protection engineer Schirmer Engineering, Deerfield, Ill., is one of many CTC members who want more information before backing most proposals. He asked: “What is the event? What is the basis for the proposal? Are we designing for a backpack bomb or a car bomb? Are these events credible? That analysis should be done.”

Baldassarra added, “I haven’t seen a single technical document yet to substantiate the basis for many of the changes. Where technical information exists, we owe it to the public to consider it.”

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Code change proposals are due to ICC, which publishes the International Building Code, by March 24. Hearings are scheduled for Sept. 20-30 in Orlando. Proposals ultimately approved will become part of the 2007 I-Code Supplement, adopted by major jurisdictions...cont'd


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