The Gypsum Association (GA) announced that it has been designated a Preferred Provider under the International Code Council (ICC) Preferred Provider Program (PPP). The GA already is an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education System (CES) Provider.

The ICC PPP provides building code officials and others with education related to codes, standards, and guidelines, as well as building construction materials, products, and methods. The GA's online course, Understanding the GA-600 Fire Resistance Design Manual, can be taken for .20 ICC Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in the specialty area of fire. The same course provides 2 AIA Learning Units in health, safety, and welfare (HSW) education. Credit is based on successful completion of an online exam at the end of the course. The course is found on the GA website.

Revised on a three year basis, GA-600, Fire Resistance Design Manual has been referenced by the model building codes as a source of fire resistive designs for more than 40 years. The manual is currently referenced by the International Building Code, and The National Fire Codes, as well as many state and local jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada as a source document for fire-resistance and sound-control rated designs that incorporate gypsum board in a variety of building systems.

"The Fire Resistance Design Manual plays a key role in both designing and building for fire safety," says GA Executive Director Stephen H. Meima, adding, "Providing online education about the manual for construction, codes and standards professionals-as well as designers-will contribute to greater understanding of fire resistance across the full design and construction spectrum."

The ICC certifies over 14,000 code officials, inspectors, plan reviewers, permit technicians, special inspectors, and students every year. Certifications must be renewed every three years, with renewal based primarily on participation in educational programs. To maintain a level of quality assurance for the credibility of the ICC certification renewal program, the use of ICC or Preferred Provider training is now required as a condition of all certification renewals.

Take Understanding the GA-600 Fire Resistance Design Manual and view our online resources at www.gypsum.org. Copies of GA-600-2015, the 21st edition of the Fire Resistance Design Manual, are available in the GA Bookstore