A NOMMA team attended the 17th meeting of the ICC Code Technology Committee (CTC), which took place yesterday (Apr. 9) in Birmingham, AL. Members of the NOMMA team included myself, Stan Lawler, and James Minter. Joining us via speaker phone were Tom Zuzik Jr. and Dave Cooper.

The main item of business was to discuss a code change proposal in follow-up to E85-07/08, in regards to fixed seating. This is an item of unfinished business from the last code cycle that the CTC was directed to finalize. Prior to the meeting, a Study Group consisting of Tom Zuzik Jr., Dave Cooper, and Paul Heilstedt worked out a draft document on fixed seating. At the meeting, this document was presented to the Study Group for discussion.

During a “working session” the CTC reviewed the document (see Addendum 1 below) and took the following actions:

- Voted unanimously to accept the definition for “fixed seating.” CTC members felt the definition did a good job of clarifying the difference between fixed and nonfixed items.

- The CTC agreed to add “measured perpendicularly” to the definition.

- Voted unanimously to approve Alternative 2 of the definition.

There was much discussion on how the “22 inch” distance was derived and on the need to harmonize guard heights between the IBC and IRC.

The group then reviewed a proposal submitted by Dave Cooper (see Addendum 2 below) that would lower guard heights within dwelling units (inside only). There was much discussion on how to define “within” a dwelling unit. The Cooper proposal would be especially helpful in states and jurisdictions that do not recognize the IRC and require 42” heights for interior, residential stair railings. The Cooper change would effectively lower this height to 36”.

There was much discussion on this proposal. The CTC asked Cooper and Zuzik to reword the document to address issues raised in the discussions, and resubmit. The CTC said there was then a possibility that the proposal could be considered during a phone conference and that the committee could still make a final decision prior to the June 1 code change proposal deadline.

A couple noteworthy items:

- A new member of the CTC who is from California is adamant about making ALL rail heights 42”.

- The “NOMMA Study” was referenced on a couple of occasions during the morning discussions. Of interest, data from the NOMMA study is being used for a proposal that would change the height for child window safety guards from 24 inches to 36 inches. NOMMA should be proud of the fact that we provided the ICC with a valuable pool of data that is being regularly used and cited.