Code Change Update

The State of Oregon updated three codes through the adoption process administered by the Building Codes Division.  The three codes were formally adopted on October 1, 2019 with a 3-month phase-in period.  During the phase-in period, either the previous code or the new code can be used.  At the conclusion of the phase-in period, January 1, 2020, the new codes must be used.

Building-related codes in Oregon are based on industry standard code documents, referred to as the base code, with Oregon-specific amendments.  The “building code” in Oregon is referred to as the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, or OSSC.  The new building code is the 2019 OSSC with the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) as the base code.

The new codes are:

A state wide alternate is available for the energy code for commercial building to use the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code.  Please note that the energy code is incorporated in the OSSC as Chapter 13, however Chapter 13 references the Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code as a separate document, which in turn references 2016 ASHRAE 90.1.  The previous Oregon energy code was based on the IECC, therefore the change to a new base code document will require more training for code officials, inspectors, and the design and construction community.

Code Unlimited is leading a training session on January 10, 2019 at noon for an overview of the 2019 OSSC.  The presentation will be at the Portland Center for Architecture with broadcast sites set up in Bend, Eugene, Salem, and the Medford area.  Go here for more information.  Reservations will be available on the AIA Oregon website by December 5, 2019.

In addition to changes to the energy code, Chapter 34 – Existing Buildings is expanded.  AIA Oregon and Code Unlimited plan to announce additional classes that will focus on the energy code and existing building requirements.  Please check future editions of the Thursday@Three for more information.

See the links below for more potential code related training opportunities.

 If you are aware of other code training classes available to the design and construction community, please let us know, and we’ll share in our Events calendar and add notices in the Thursday@Three.  If you have suggestions for other code-related training subjects, please let us know.

 

Respectfully,
Curt Wilson, AIA
Executive VP/CEO of AIA Oregon
cwilson@aiaoregon.org

 

 

 

AIA Bend - Request for Photo Submissions

AIA Bend Section requests submission of Architectural Photos of member work to represent AIA Bend on the AIA Oregon website. The winning image will be featured on the “ABOUT AIA BEND” page for the duration of 2020. This is a great opportunity to stand out among your peers in Central and Eastern Oregon, and demonstrate your creative talents to all of AIA Oregon.

(1) Please submit your image, with Architect and Photographer credits to Section Director James A Satzinger AIA (jasatzinger@gmail.com) by Wednesdeay, December 11th.

(2) Prepare a mounted image on 11x17 paper for display purposes at our annual AIA Bend Meeting and Fest, to be held in early December.(TBD) . The winning image and Architect(s) will be announced and celebrated during the event.

We look forward to broad participation and a fun-filled celebration by AIA Bend Architects and our Allied Members.

Call for Open Board Positions

Two positions on the AIA Oregon Board will become on January 1, 2020; Secretary, and AIA Portland Section Director. 

The Secretary is a member of the Executive Committee and the position is selected by the Board of Directors.  The term of the position is two years. See below for the selection process for the Secretary.

The Section Director is a member of the Board of Directors and the current position to fill is the Director from the AIA Portland Section.  The Section Director serves as the liaison between the local Section and the Board.  The Section Director is selected by the Section in the process described at the link below.

In addition, each Section will identify a person to fill the role of Section Director-elect.  The Section Director-elect is a newly defined position and intended to support the Section Director by leading the activities of the Section and learning the role of Board Director.  It is assumed that the Section Director-elect position will evolve over the course of 2020. The Section Director-elect is selected by the Section in the process described at the link below.