Dear Chairman Carr and Board Of Housing and Community Development Members,

Representing the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association (VBCOA) leadership, we respectfully submit this statement in support of the decision by the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development to adopt the 2015 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code as initially approved. We recognize and commend the incredible amount of dedicated effort and time of the many stakeholders who invested their subject matter expertise and technical and administrative code knowledge during the regulatory development process. The regulatory development process and its related code meetings were publicly open to and attended by Building Officials, Fire Officials, Property Maintenance Officials, various other code and fire representatives, and affected stakeholders to develop, review, and comment on the proposed codes and any and all related revisions. During the transparent process, numerous opportunities were equally provided to all stakeholders to address any concerns, including several time extensions and additional meetings. The VSFPC has for many, many years warranted and necessitated a thorough and detailed review and edit to identify and clarify the maintenance and operational fire code provisions that are enforceable throughout Virginia by the local Fire Officials, and to differentiate them from the VUSBC construction code provisions affecting new construction and alteration under the purview and authority of the local Building Officials. As VBCOA Board Directors, Committee Chairpersons, and code community leaders, we respectfully request and urge the Board to adopt the 2015 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code as initially approved. Thank you for your prompt attention to this most important matter.

Sincerely,

Mike Williams, Deputy Building Official and Paula Eubank, Deputy Building Official

VBCOA Board of Directors and Awards and Resolutions Committee Co-Chairpersons