Registration is now open for
- October 17th & 18th "California Building Code Overview" with Stephen L. Thomas
- November 16th "Overview of California Plumbing and Mechanical Codes" with John LaTorra and John Taecker
Anthony David Ghiossi
Anthony David Ghiossi, age 49, passed away on June 10th, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. Well-known for his work as a building official, Anthony worked for the Cities of Palo Alto, Los Gatos, and Mountain View for over 25 years. He was actively involved in the Peninsula Chapter of the International Code Council where he served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, President, and Past President. His work on the ICC board was a source of constant pride. Anthony was born in Fort Bragg, California on August 27, 1964. He graduated from Fort Bragg High School in 1984 and from San Jose State in engineering technology in 1990, where he was active in Theta Chi fraternity. He started his career in the building industry shortly thereafter. Anthony married Deirdre Boyle, in 2003 and soon after learned the joys of parenthood with the birth of his sons Caden (2005) and Shane (2008).
Throughout his years on the board, he initiated changes that influence our Chapter today. His energy and enthusiasm helped encourage Chapter participation that continues today. One of Anthony’s many strengths was his leadership. In 2011, while he was President, our Education Committee lost one its key members to retirement and Anthony took that committee under his wing and helped to build an even stronger Education Committee today. He reached out to our Tri Chapter organizations – the East Bay and Monterey Bay Chapters – to initiate changes that resulted in the Tri Chapter Education Committee we have today.
Amal Sinha
Amal passed away in January 2014 while visiting Kolkata, India. Amal served the ICC Peninsula Chapter from 2000 to 2003, advancing through the officer ranks during this time period. He was relatively low key but considered a hard worker behind the scenes. He was recognized for his professionalism and dedication to the building safety industry.
Amal worked for the City of San Jose close to 30 years for the Public Works and Building Department. He started as a plan check engineer and retired as a building official. Following his retirement from the City of San Jose in 2004, he assumed responsibility as building official with the City of Simi Valley. He retired from Simi Valley in 2010 and moved back to San Jose.
Cupertino students learn importance of building safety
By Matt Wilson
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Posted: 04/16/2014 06:06:41 PM PDT
Students at Meyerholz Elementary in the Cupertino Union School District might look at buildings a little differently now after an April 4 presentation from the Peninsula Chapter of the International Code Council, a nonprofit of Bay Area building officials.
A team of building officials and engineers visited the school for two morning assemblies that taught them some very basic engineering principles and to discuss the importance of having functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home.
Referring to themselves as "silent heroes" in the mold of firefighters and police, students were given an hour-long presentation on the importance of identifying hazards homes and surroundings, as well as a glimpse into careers as building officials.
"If we save one life or reach one child, then it was all worth it," said Susan O'Brien, assembly organizer and ICC member.
Students were instructed to tell their parents to check detectors regularly and to know the difference between how many beeps mean emergence and how many beeps mean it is time to change batteries. Students also got lessons in pool safety and the importance of pool gates.
Special mention was also made of the hazardous tangle of electrical chords that are commonly found in homes. Presenters referred to it as the "electrical octopus."
Presenters displayed a table of props, including a noteworthy prop that showed a size comparison between the pamphlet-sized building codes of the 1950s and 1960s and the voluminous binders of specific codes found in the industry today.
At the presentation's conclusion, students were each given a workbook and bright yellow hard hat. Students were then led by presenters in reciting a pledge to be on the hunt for building safety issues.
"As a junior building inspector, I promise to do my best to help keep my home and family safe," the students simultaneously recited. "I will work with my family to make sure my home has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors."
Students also pledged to share what they learned at school with their families and create an emergency plan with them.
The program was started by Tony Falcone, a building official for Santa Cruz County and member of the ICC. The first presentation was held in October last year.
The Meyerholz assembly was the fourth for the ICC's outreach program. Previous events were held at Van Meter Elementary School in Los Gatos, Alexander Rose Elementary School in Milpitas, and Blue Hills Elementary School in Saratoga.
To book a presentation, email Susan O'Brien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visit iccpeninsula.org for more information.
Photos courtesy Susan O'BrienMarko Glendinning, a building inspector with the town of Los Gatos, speaks to a room of students at Meyerholz Elementary School on April 4. Glendinning and other volunteers from the ICC Peninsula Chapter are making the rounds to local schools teaching children about building safety by way of interactive assemblies.
Here is a link to the Cupertino Courier article
The Tri Chapter Uniform Code Committee has completed a number of Code interpretations and Recommendations. Check it out by clicking on the following link: http://www.eastbayicc.org/index.php/tucc
Important Note:
The Tri-Chapter Uniform Code Committee members have worked diligently on developing these guidelines and they are intended to enhance regional consistency in application and enforcement of the Building Code. Individual building department may choose to modify the requirements to better suit their particular jurisdiction. Please verify acceptance of these guidelines with your local building department prior to its application.
John LaTorra, Treasurer