Alabama’s fire chiefs and construction industry groups are opposing a bill in the legislature that would move oversight of building code compliance on school projects from the state to community colleges and local school boards.
The change would apply to all community college projects, and K-12 and university projects costing up to $500,000. Current law requires all school projects to be cleared by the Division of Construction Management.
The bill’s opponents say it would eliminate an important independent review that make public structures safe and accessible. It would put architects in the position of signing off on their own work, they add.
The house majority leader supports the bill, asserting that it would streamline bureaucracy without sacrificing safety. Five industry groups—Alabama Associated General Contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama, Subcontractors Association of Alabama, American Institute of Architects - Alabama, and the Alabama Contractors Association—signed a letter opposing the legislation.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2019
Market conditions indicate slower growth in industrial real estate sector
E-commerce, market oversupply, rising interest rates to dampen hot market.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2019
Haskell invests in BLOX, creator of modular-based delivery method
‘Represents important part of Haskell’s future strategy,’ says CEO.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2019
Florida may eliminate certificate of need requirement for new hospitals
Bill could boost specialized facilities.
Codes and Standards | May 31, 2019
RELi 2.0 standard for sustainability, resilience being piloted
Will be open to LEED-registered or -certified projects, with introductory pricing and support.
Codes and Standards | May 31, 2019
Pankow Foundation releases report, tools for embodied carbon impacts
Focus is on MEP and tenant improvements.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2019
USGBC receives funding for LEED for Cities and Communities Program
Bank of America provides $500,000 grant to certify 15 U.S. cities.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2019
AIA updates Interiors Contract Documents
Six revised documents available for interior construction projects.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2019
Northern California casino offers a template for resilient microgrids
Solar power with batteries and backup generators provide weeks of self-reliance.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2019
Austin creates innovative plan to boost affordable housing
Approach includes loosened zoning, incentives for higher density in lower-cost and mixed-income developments.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2019
Effort launched to develop better process for zero-carbon retrofits in multifamily sector
Rocky Mountain Institute, Dept. of Energy, California Energy Commission join forces.
