ISO ReportFEB I 22013
D'EPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS
1~~~~~t~~A~01~06~O__~ 4 B EVES DRIVE SUITE 200 MARLTON, NJ 08053 (856) 985-5600 L-l
February 8, 2013
Honorable David J. Narkewicz, Mayor
Northampton
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Re: Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule Survey Results
Dear Mayor N arkewicz:
We wish to thank you and Mr. Hasbrouck for the cooperation given to us during our
recent Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) survey. Insurance
Services Office, Inc. (ISO) is the leading supplier of statistical data, underwriting
information, and actuarial analysis to the property/casualty insurance industry in the
United States. The BCEGS classifications are distributed by ISO for use by
property/casualty insurers to assist in their insurance underwriting and premium
development programs for residential and commercial properties. Insurers can use the
BCEGS classification number to offer insurance premium discounts to eligible properties
in Northampton.
ISO has completed its analysis ofthe building codes adopted by your community and the
effort put forth to enforce those codes. The resulting BCEGS Classification is a Class 5
for 1& 2 family residential property and a Class 5 for commercial and industrial property.
The new Classification is a regression from the former Class 4 for COmmejCial and
industrial property. The principal reasons contributing to this regression re:
• MA adopted FueVGas and Plumbing codes do not represent the latest dition
available.
• An increase in staff workload since last evaluation.
• The documentation ofperformance evaluations for plan reviewers and inspectors, and
the use of approved checklists for plan reviews and inspections are insufficient for
full credit.
A revised BCEGS classification would apply to new buildings receiving a Certificate of
Occupancy during or after the calendar year in which the revision takes place.
It is apparent that the primary reason for this regression is mandated by a higher authority
and not within the control ofyour jurisdiction. Nevertheless, before we re-classify your
community to reflect this change, we would like to know ifNorthampton desires to
develop an improvement program in other areas to better their BCEGS classification. If
this letter is acknowledged by March 8, 2013 advising us that this matter will be reviewed
within the next three months we will postpone the implementation of the classification
changes.
After review, ifit is your decision to begin an improvement program to regain CL Class
4, we will need to receive by May 8, 2013 a list ofthe changes you intend to make.
Additionally, we would appreciate your estimate ofthe amount oftime which will be
needed to complete each item. No re-classifying action will be taken ifchanges are
implemented to regain the current classification within one year ofthe receipt ofthis
letter.
_ We want t<) high1ight the fact that the lSO Bllilding CodsU:;ffectivenessQt:ading program
is an advisory insurance underwriting information and rating tool. It is not intended to
analyze all aspects ofa comprehensive building code enforcement program. It is not for
purposes ofdetermining compliance with any state or local law nor is it for making loss
prevention or loss safety recommendations.
If you have any questions about the classification that was developed, please let us know.
Sincerely,
~fM4t
Community Mitigation Analyst
856-985-5600 ext 212
800-444-4554 opt 8 ext. 212
Fax: 800 955-2422
Mjobst@iso.com
cc: Mr. Louis Hasbrouck, Building Commissioner
212 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Mary Jobst, Community Mitigation Analyst
ISO National Processing Center
4 B Eves Drive
Suite 200
Marlton, NJ 08053
. We have reviewed your letter of February 8, 2013 advising the results ofthe recent
survey for Northampton. With regards to the regression from our previous classification,
we plan to take the following action (please check the appropriate statement below):
D We will review the results ofthe survey and decide ifNorthampton, MA will
institute programs to regain our previous BCEGS classification number. We
understand that we are to notify ISO by March 8, 2013 ofour decision.
!if We are in the process of developing an action plan or have implemented an action
plan to effect changesihat willregainouroriginai-class.~-This plan· will-be·
submitted to ISO by May 8, 2013 and will include details ofcondition(s) to be
addressed and a time line for bringing the plan to completion.
D Northampton has completed the action plan and we are attaching the relevant
information to be evaluated by ISO for the purposes of re-classifying Northampton.
D The conditions that have resulted in our less favorable classification are mandates
Northampton must adhere to. We do not intend to make significant changes in the
immediate future to the other aspects ofour agency that might improve the BCEGS
classification.
D We have reviewed the results ofthe survey for Northampton and feel our building
code enforcement effort at present represents our best interest. We understand that
you will contact us in approximately 5-years to update the survey. We can request
a new BCEGS survey from ISO ifwe institute changes that would effect our
classification.
f1lr' VIe would like anISO BCEGS representative to c.ontact us re arding our recent
BCEGS evaluation. The person they should call is La' . at
the following phone numberfh:> ) t;e7~(2'/-/0
o Other, please explain.
Name: LolA is It c>S bv-ovtJ::
Street Address: .2-1'Z-Mil\N S'\
City: N 0 ~1tV\VIA no,};' ) State: IVlA Zip Code: 010.60
Phone Number: (lt/3 ) .,. f? 7 -fLY 0