Safer Buildings WORK GROUP ROUNDUPIn this section we’ll bring you updates on the important work done by our Codes & Standards, Government Affairs and Advancement Work Groups.
Our Work Groups are the vehicles by which:
If you are interested in participating in a Work Group, please contact the Chair of the group. Work Group Updates: Codes & Standards Work Group Update
The Codes & Standards Work Group completed its review, and Safer Buildings Coalition Executive Director Chief Alan Perdue submitted SBC's comments on NFPA 1225. Other members of the work group submitted comments separately. The group will undertake an IFC review cycle in 2020.
The OEM BDA Matrix, which the group has been working on through the fall, is now live on our website: https://www.saferbuildings.us/bda-directory. A DAS matrix is currently in development. OEMs: Be sure to submit your specifications and information in if you haven’t done so already.
The group is also working on expanding some of the State-level subcommittees to help track AHJ and local code changes in those states. Javier Herrera already has FL. Richard Roberts will start with CA, and Joe Kurdas will take IL and MI.
A new subcommittee chaired by Greg Glenn is looking at comments and recommendations to submit to UL on 2524 items that may need clarity or change. Government Affairs Work Group Update
The Government Affairs Working Group is wrapping up 2019 (and this decade) on a busy note. Members have been monitoring IRS Code 179 in Congress and discussing how we can support awareness in the code to recognize and provide relief to building owners complying with in-building communication requirements. We recently welcomed University of Oklahoma Fire Marshal and Emergency Manager Justin Daniels to the group. Fire Marshal Daniels is the current President of the Center For Campus Fire Safety and is working to introduce legislation in Congress to provide training and equipment for college fire safety. It is noted that the size of college campuses creates a great concern for emergency responder communications with thousands of students populating campuses. Mr. Daniels brings a great voice to this mission and a unique opportunity to bring the Safer Buildings Coalition’s work to the forefront. While we attempt to stay in our lane, we often see issues that cross into the lane of another working group. We encourage all of our groups to communicate issues of mutual interest to see how we may support one another. Together we can be stronger! Special thanks to Managing Director John Foley and our Sponsor Chief Alan Perdue for your dedication and hard work. Advancement Work Group Update
The Advancement group is currently reviewing the Safer Buildings Coalition website, with a specific focus on assessing whether the content meets our members' needs and expectations. The group is also taking a closer look at the SBC membership base: Are we capturing all the verticals we need to, including integrators, resellers, higher education? This effort focuses on questions like: "Why do members join?" "What makes our members renew their memberships?" "What are the expectations from our member organizations?" "Does SBC membership provide good value for the money?" "What makes SBC most valuable?" Based on this research, the Advancement Group will put together a comprehensive list of any verticals, content types, etc. that we might be missing. |