News
Greensboro First NC City to Achieve IAS Building Department Accreditation
The City of Greensboro, N.C., Development Services Division (DSD) is the first jurisdiction in the state to achieve accreditation of its building department by the International Accreditation Service (IAS). A subsidiary of the International Code Council, IAS provides an independent assessment and verification that the department is operating at the highest legal, ethical, and technical standards.
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Rashad Young, |
“We are very proud that Greensboro is the first city in the state of North Carolina to earn accreditation of its building department,” said Rashad Young, Greensboro City Manager. “This accreditation is a testament that the DSD is operating at a high technical level that demonstrates the expertise of our staff and our dedication to adding to the quality of life in our community.”
“This is a notable, professional achievement that demonstrates the city of Greensboro’s commitment to public safety,” said IAS President Chuck Ramani. “It also is a testament to the city’s initiative to provide a high level of service in an efficient and measurable manner.”
The Greensboro DSD provides permitting, construction plan review, electrical, plumbing and mechanical plan review, soil erosion, and a technical review committee that offers pre-submittal meetings for customers. At the time of the IAS full onsite assessment, the Division employed 16.5 inspectors, 5.5 plan reviewers, and 2 permit technicians. In 2010, the department issued a total of 4076 permits and conducted 22,180 inspections. “Going through this accreditation process has helped us to increase department efficiency and elevate our professional reputation. Potential businesses will also be more willing to work with a nationally accredited building department,” said Greensboro Director of Engineering & Inspections Butch Simmons.
The IAS Building Department Accreditation Program is based on the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Building Departments/Code Enforcement Agencies (AC251) and the Code Council’s International Building Code®. Greensboro was assessed across 12 distinct categories of accreditation criteria including basic jurisdictional information, department staff, permitting, budget, construction codes, plan reviews, professional credentials/licenses, inspections, certificates of occupancy, on-site evaluations, annual reports, and complaints/appeals. IAS conducted a pre-evaluation review in February 2010 and a full on-site evaluation in April 2010. The IAS on-site teams also visited construction sites to appraise the performance of the city’s inspection process. IAS evaluators assessed work activities in the department’s offices, reviewed documents and policies, and interviewed department customers, staff, and city officials. The department received accreditation on October 18, 2011. The IAS Certificate of Accreditation for the City of Greensboro Development Services Division may be viewed on the IAS website.
The City of Greensboro is the third largest city in North Carolina covering over 126 square miles and with 269,666 residents according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau.
IAS accredits building departments and building department service providers, fire prevention and life safety departments, special inspection agencies, product certification agencies, inspection programs for metal building manufacturers, fabricator inspection programs, testing and calibration laboratories, inspection agencies, training agencies, curriculum developers, and field evaluation bodies. A recognized accreditation body since 1975, IAS is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation. IAS is one of the leading accreditation bodies in the United States and a signatory to several international mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs).
For more information about IAS or the Building Department Accreditation Program, visit www.iasonline.org or call 1-866-427-4422.
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Photo Caption: Greensboro Development Services Department Chief Mechanical & Plumbing Inspector Marshall Perry accepts a plaque from IAS President Chuck Ramani noting the city’s IAS Building Department Accreditation. The presentation occurred during the International Code Council Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. |