ICC mobilizes volunteers to assist assessing
damage, offers safety tips in case Isabel hits
As the U.S. eastern seaboard prepares for hurricane Isabel,
the International Code Council is mobilizing its resources
to assist if necessary. If Isabel strikes, ICC will coordinate
member volunteers and chapters to help governments assess
damage and inspect homes and buildings. The biggest demand
expected is for building and electrical inspectors.
"State legislators and local officials cannot afford
to be complacent in adopting building safety codes,"
said ICC CEO James Lee Witt, former Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency. "I know from experience
that communities that adopt the newest codes available survive
natural disasters and rebuild much quicker and more economically
than those that don't."
ICC recommends several proactive steps that those in the
path of Isabel can take to reduce injuries and protect property
in the event their community is a hurricane victim:
Follow directives issued by local governmental agencies,
including evacuation orders
Move outdoor items that may become airborne indoors or
secure them to limit the possibility of becoming a projectile
in hurricane winds
Protect windows with shutters or plywood to limit glass
breakage and interior damage from rain and wind
Develop disaster plans for your family and prepare a
disaster supply kit.
As part of its commitment to public safety, ICC's network
of members and local chapters along with teams of volunteers
will assist state emergency management directors in post-disaster
preliminary damage assessment and other storm-related activities.
Newer homes and buildings constructed under the I-Codes or
state codes based on the I-Codes provide the most contemporary
standards for building construction. The ICC develops and
maintains codes and standards through a governmental consensus
process. The I-Codes take into account valuable lessons learned
over the years. I-Codes require structural systems to be anchored
to resist the effects of high winds. I-Codes also require
buildings to be designed as either partially enclosed or provide
protection of windows with impact resistant glazing or window
coverings.
ICC works with industry partners on new standards for hurricanes
and storm shelters as part of its goal for building safety.
Many state and local governments are updating to I-Codes to
better protect residents and property. I-Codes are used in
48 states at the state or local level including Connecticut,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia.
The ICC, a 50,000-member association dedicated to building
safety, develops the codes used to construct residential and
commercial buildings, including homes and schools. The majority
of U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose
building safety and fire prevention codes developed by the
ICC.
