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NACA News is an electronic communication published periodically to communicate the activities and initiatives of the North American Concrete Alliance.

November 23, 2005

NACA Members Respond to Gulf Coast Hurricanes

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Louisiana adopts state building Code

On November 22, the Louisiana Senate and House passed a new law which establishes a state uniform building code. The bill sets as a minimum the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) and establishes a 19 member council to be selected by Governor Blanco which will oversee and enforce the new code. The bill does allow for more stringent local amendments subject to council approval but will require that any amendment approved by the council be adopted by all similarly situated localities. One example would be localities in the same flood zone or sharing similar geography or population density. NACA members were instrumental in mounting a grassroots letter-writing campaign to encourage Louisiana state legislators to adopt the bill. For more information, contact: Robert Sullivan, Kevin Voelte, or John Sullivan.

MEDIA RELATIONS

Public encouraged to support building codes in Louisiana

In an effort to encourage public support leading up to new legislation for a state wide building code in Louisiana, NRMCA President, Robert Garbini wrote letters to the editors of all major newspapers in Louisiana.

Dear Editor,

As Louisiana confronts the massive challenges of rebuilding its Gulf Coast region, the need for strong and effective building codes cannot be overemphasized. House Bill #76, currently under consideration in the special session of the state Legislature, would immediately adopt the International Building Code and International Residential Code complete with the latest guidelines for hurricane-resistant construction. Adoption would go a long way toward ensuring that Louisiana will not have to confront the level of damage that was inflicted by this summer’s terrible hurricanes. I urge each resident to contact his or her appropriate legislator and urge passage of House Bill 76.

In addition, Louisiana should make sure that whatever legislation is adopted allows local jurisdictions (municipalities or parishes) to amend the minimum statewide code to make it more stringent. Due to variations in resources, climatic conditions, geologic conditions, and other community concerns and needs, a community may need to have more stringent building codes. For example, the minimum requirements for a community with paid fire services may not be the same as a community with volunteer fire services. In communities where the local economy relies on a few businesses, the community may want to impose more stringent building code requirements for structures that house those businesses.

To summarize, legislation should require a statewide minimum building code based on national model codes such as the International Building Code and International Residential Code published by the International Codes Council. But this legislation should permit local jurisdictions to amend the statewide minimum in order to make it more stringent to satisfy its unique needs.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Garbini, P.E.

President – National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

REBUILDING AND RECOVERY

Official to focus on stronger Gulf levees
According to a report by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Donald Powell, the federal coordinator of efforts to rebuild the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, said the highest initial priority must be to make sure levees in the area can withstand another storm. Powell said it could be eight months before long-term recovery efforts can be quantified. more

Louisiana rebuilding conference calls for unity on goals and plans
Planners, business leaders, elected officials and others gathered earlier this month at the Louisiana Recovery and Rebuilding Conference to come up with a written plan to guide the massive rebuilding of New Orleans. One designer said not since the Nazi blitz in London or the bombing of Hiroshima have planners been challenged with such a massive urban rebuilding effort. According to McGraw-Hill Construction, making New Orleans safe from another hurricane was top on the list of issues discussed at the Louisiana Reconstruction and Recovery Conference. Participants stressed the importance of "keeping the story alive" to receive the economic and political support that would be needed for a successful recovery. more

North American Concrete Alliance

Aggregate & Concrete Executives (ACE)
American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA)
American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPipeA)
American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPumpA)
American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC)
Concrete Foundations Association (CFA)
Concrete Homes Council (CHC)

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI)
Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA)

Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI)
National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA)
National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA)
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)
Portland Cement Association (PCA)
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)
Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA)

Questions about NACA News?
Contact: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101, LLemay@nrmca.org