COEUR d'ALENE - The 2009 International Residential Code is as exciting a read as it sounds.

The phonebook-sized manuals are crammed with updates to building, planning and designing practice - some vague, some as specific as the size and number of nails in a wood board.

But it all adds up to one important goal: A safe, stable home that won't topple on your head. Or collapse beneath you.

And you'd better pray that every contractor, planner and permit enforcer in Kootenai County is studying this thing until their eyes hurt.

"Ultimately, over the course of time, the end result is safer, healthier and more energy efficient building," said Bob Ankersmit, president of North Idaho Code Enforcers. "I think it's proven that the codes are certainly a good thing."

That's why NICE is ensuring that members of the construction industry are well informed of the multitude of code updates included in the 2009 IRC, which the state will adopt in January 2011.

NICE, an organization originating from the building departments within Kootenai County and surrounding areas, put on a day-long training session on the new code on Tuesday for roughly 65 local code enforcers, architects, designers and contractors.

It takes a lot of focus to learn the IRC code, which the International Code Council updates every three years, Ankersmit said.

"It costs $4,000 to put one of these (seminars) on," said Ankersmit, who is also plan review supervisor for the county Building and Planning Department. "But it's worth it."

Code updates are crucial to keeping up with changing technology, building methods and conservation philosophies, he said, as well as addressing common building problems.

"This training could take a week," Ankersmit said of why Tuesday's seminar was eight hours long. "Nobody could ever learn this entire book. There are about 30,000 regulations. We're more training them how to look something up when they need it."

Updates in the '09 code include more energy efficient building requirements, as well as improved deck connections to address recent problems with collapsing decks.

The updates also address other safety issues like fire resistance qualifications. The code also changes live work designs to make the structures safer for emergency responders.

It might seem strange that the state is adopting the updated code two years late - in fact at the same time that the 2011 code updates will be finalized - but Ankersmit said the state has been two years behind since long before his time.

That's because it takes that long to prepare for the adoption with training sessions, he said, both for members of the construction industry as well as code enforcers and inspectors who check for compliance.

"Besides the enforcement aspect, a bigger part of what code people do is act as a source of information for builders and the public," Ankersmit said. "Those of us in the (building and planning) office, we field calls every single day from design people and contractors asking questions about the code and specific requirements. A huge part of what we do is answer those questions."

Those who violate codes can face penalties ranging from a fee to being charged with a misdemeanor, said Ed Wagner, building official for the city of Coeur d'Alene.

Kootenai County is lucky to have a body enforcing the code, added Ankersmit. He lives in Bonner County, he said, which has no building department to ensure code compliance.

"Some things I see - there's no other way to describe it than scary," he said of brand new buildings about to collapse, or with improper wiring. "That's not to say that all builders would do that. The best way to put it is lack of education."

That's why Wayne Meaux with Baker Construction and Development in Sandpoint drove down to attend Tuesday's training session.

"I just want to be in the know. I have to be informed of updates coming up," Meaux said.

He typically hires a private inspector to ensure his custom homes are built up to code, he said.

"It's both protection for myself, and to help keep resale value," he said. "Without hiring an inspector, there's a lot that can go wrong. Knowing the building codes, that all helps develop a home that's comfortable to live in."

Kootenai County permit technicians Debbie Lane and Judy Harold were required to attend the training session, as their job includes verifying that applicants are following building codes, Lane said.

"It's a very technical job," she said, "We study it (the code) all year long."

Health safety issues are the paramount purpose for the IRC updates, she added.

"As we've seen in the devastation that robbed Haiti and other foreign countries that have no building codes," Lane said. "When we have earthquakes, we don't have the same devastation. The code protects you."

NICE offers registration discounts at seminars to members of contractor organizations like North Idaho Building Contractors Association, as well as Idaho registered contractors. For more information, contact Ankersmit at 446-1052.

Idaho adopted the International Residential Code in 2002, Ankersmit said. The ICC regulations are minimal regulations for members of the construction industry to follow.

He pointed out that building codes have existed since the Code of Hammurabi in ancient Babylon.

"Their code was pretty simple. If your house fell down, they put it back. If your house fell down and killed somebody, they killed you," he said. "The codes today are a lot less stringent than they used to be."