National Groups Join to Improve Disaster-Related Building Codes
Florida Project First on List

Two national organizations with a mutual interest in developing and implementing effective building codes to protect homes and businesses from natural disasters today joined forces to share resources and expertise.

The International Code Council, based in Falls Church, Va., and the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) of Tampa, Fla., have signed a strategic alliance agreement that paves the way for the two groups to work together on the research, development, adoption and enforcement of building codes on the state and national levels that address disaster-resistant residential and commercial construction.

One of the first such efforts will be the analysis of construction performance findings in Florida following the four hurricanes that struck the state during August and September this year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Florida Department of Community Affairs will also participate in this process. The aim will be to determine the state's code effectiveness in high wind events.

Following this analysis, the groups will convene a summit meeting of public and private sector representatives to begin developing plans to strengthen existing codes and standards.

On the national level, IBHS has been awarded a seat on the International Code Adoption Coalition (ICAC). The ICAC is an International Code Council research committee designed to identify national areas of concern for code development and disaster mitigation.

In related news, IBHS also signed a strategic alliance agreement with the International Code Council Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to changing the devastating effects of natural disasters and other building tragedies by promoting ideas, methods and technologies that encourage the construction of durable, sustainable buildings and homes. The agreement will open the door for joint research, development and submittal of code amendments.

The International Code Council, a membership organization dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry that engages in communication, education, engineering and research. Its mission is to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.