ILAC and APLAC recognize IAS Calibration Laboratory Accreditation

	IAS Vice President Pat McCullen (left) and ILAC Chair Daniel Pierre at the ILAC MRA signing ceremony.

Last month, the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) General Assembly granted recognition of the IAS Calibration Laboratory Accreditation Program, based on the findings and report of an international evaluation team from the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC).
ILAC is the apex body for recognition of competent accreditation bodies worldwide. APLAC is a regional cooperation that operates under the ILAC umbrella. Recognition as a signatory to the ILAC mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) ensures global acceptance of IAS-accredited calibration laboratories.

IAS activities held in Detroit

	Lou Gurthet, President of the American Institute of Steel Construction, addresses members of the IAS Board of Directors during its recent meeting held in conjunction with the ICC Annual Conference in Detroit. Also pictured is IAS Accreditation Officer Sandra McCracken.

There were several IAS activities held in conjunction with the ICC Annual Conference in Detroit. Events included the IAS Board of Directors meeting, Building Department Accreditation Training sessions and President Chuck Ramani delivering his Annual Report to delegates during the Annual Business Meeting.
Over the past year, IAS has seen tremendous progress in fulfilling its purpose of providing a world-class accreditation system for testing and calibration laboratories, inspection agencies, fabricator inspection programs and building departments. To read more on this success and to access the IAS Annual Report, click here.
For more information on this year’s Annual Conference in Detroit, click here.

City of Las Vegas first to apply for Building Department Accreditation

	IAS Building Department Evaluator Sheila Lee, P.E. works with Las Vegas plan check engineers on the city’s accreditation application.

The City of Las Vegas is one step closer to IAS Building Department Accreditation. Recently, the city's building department completed a comprehensive 50-page checklist that included evaluation of department staff, permitting information, construction codes, plan reviews, inspections, professional licensing and credentials and much more.
This month, the IAS building department evaluation team, comprised of four trained and experienced evaluators, will visit the City of Las Vegas for several days to perform an on-site evaluation and field visit. This evaluation will cover a wide range of day-to-day activities, from basic jurisdictional information to permitting and budget processes, and from professional credentials/ licenses to the handling of complaints and appeals. A final evaluation report is expected by the end of the year.
This is the beginning of a busy time for IAS Building Department Accreditation teams as they prepare to evaluate several other building departments in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina and Texas that have also expressed interest in achieving building department accreditation in the next year.

IAS builds cadre of Lead Evaluators

IAS President Chuck Ramani conducts a Lead Evaluator Training course at this year’s Annual Conference.

Through a series of IAS-sponsored Lead Evaluator Training courses, IAS has doubled the number of qualified building department evaluators. A two-day course followed by a comprehensive written examination, the training is designed to qualify lead evaluators for the IAS Building Department Accreditation Program. The most recent course was held in Detroit, Michigan, during the ICC Annual Conference. Interest in the training is keeping pace with growing demand for building department accreditation by communities across the nation.

Building Department Accreditation:
Is it right for you?

Quality service is the hallmark of any public safety organization, whether police, fire, emergency services or, yes, even building departments. The reminder of that charge and responsibility is perhaps best demonstrated in the wake of the terrible destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast.
It is up to the building and regulatory community to create an infrastructure that can protect our communities as much as possible from disasters. Better planning, tighter code coordination and solid enforcement practices can make a difference.
That is the goal of the IAS Building Department Accreditation Program. Through it, building departments are able to evaluate their current standards, technology and processes as compared to industry best practices. For your customers, your communities and yourself, get the facts on IAS Building Department Accreditation. To get an inside look at the accreditation requirements, fees, procedures, application process, and more, click here.

IAS Fabricator Accreditation
ensures quality and compliance

Scott Marsell, Chief Building Official for the Building and Safety Department in Sandy, Utah, requires that all fabricators designated on an approved building plan obtain professional accreditation that includes third-party oversight as defined in Chapter 17 of the IBC. Marsell is not alone. To find out why building officials and fabricators across the country are setting higher standards for the fabrication of reinforced concrete, precast concrete, structural steel and wood wall panel assemblies through IAS accreditation, click here.

How to reach us

If you have questions or comments about IAS eNews, please call the International Accreditation Service (IAS) at 1-866-427-4422, send letters to 5360 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601, send an e-mail to info@iasonline.org, or go to www.iasonline.org. For specific questions about IAS accreditation programs, contact:
Testing Laboratories and Inspection Agencies Raj Nathan Manager, Accreditation Ph: 1-866-427-4422, ext: 3309 Fax: 562-699-8031 rnathan@iasonline.org Calibration Laboratories Hershal Brewer Accreditation Officer Ph: 1-866-427-4422, ext: 3309 Fax: 562-699-8031 hbrewer@iasonline.org Fabricator Inspection Programs Sandra McCracken Accreditation Officer Ph: 1-866-427-4422, ext: 3309 Fax: 562-699-8031 smccracken@iasonline.org	Building Department Accreditation Chuck Ramani President Ph: 1-866-427-4422, ext: 3254 Fax: 562-699-8031 cramani@iasonline.org Special Inspection Agencies John Pakianadan Senior Accreditation Officer Ph: 1-866-427-4422, ext. 3309 Fax: 562-699-8031 jpakianadan@iasonline.org