At the 2013 Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat, NAIOP Inland Empire and NAIOP SoCal were both presented with the 2013 Capitol Dome Award. Kim Snyder accepted the award for NAIOP Inland Empire and Lang Cottrell accepted the award for NAIOP SoCal.

Both chapters were awarded with this honor due to their dedication towards advocacy for the industry and for their accomplishments related to buildings codes that were adopted by the International Code Council (ICC).

In 2009, the ICC adopted model building codes that reduced the egress distance from 400 to 250 feet before requiring an emergency exit passageway or tunnel for occupants of a factory or warehouse structure. In this instance, the reduction in the egress distance was unwarranted and would have placed necessary burdens on industrial property owners.

NAIOP Inland Empire and NAIOP SoCal took action. With support from NAIOP members outside the state, these chapters, in partnership with the California Business Properties Association, commissioned a study, built a coalition, and worked with the state’s Fire Marshall in demonstrating to the ICC that a 400 foot exit distance is appropriate without compromising the overall safety of the buildings occupants. As a result, the ICC committee of jurisdiction agreed and reinstated the original 400 foot egress as part of its model code.

The successful adoption and reinstatement of 400 feet within the model code would not have occurred without the hard work and leadership of these two chapters on behalf of the industrial property community in California and across the country.

ABOUT NAIOP Inland Empire
NAIOP Inland Empire is a regional chapter of the national commercial real estate development association, and covers both Riverside and San Bernardino counties. As the leading professional organization for local developers, owners and brokers in the office, industrial, retail and mixed-use real estate sectors, NAIOP Inland Empire aims to represent and advance the interests of its members by providing networking activities, business development opportunities, educational programs, charitable programs, government affairs representation and legislative resources. For more information visitwww.NAIOPIE.org.