Building to code yields economic benefits

Consumers' wallets are just one of the winners as more U.S. jurisdictions update, adopt and enforce I-Codes. Studies indicate that every dollar spent on building safer and stronger on average reduces losses from high wind damage, floods, earthquakes and other disasters by $4.

Other economic benefits of building to the latest codes can include energy savings, reduced maintenance costs, lower insurance premiums and fewer safety concerns.

To ensure its jurisdictions build back better, Louisiana Governor Blanco signed a bill in November that immediately put the International Building Code and International Residential Code into effect in the 11 parishes hardest hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. (Statewide the International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes will go into effect January 2007.)

In the last quarter of 2005, jurisdictions in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas adopted the International Codes to protect public and property.

This January, more jurisdictions in Colorado, Illinois, Nevada and Texas began enforcing the International Codes. Nationwide, more than 18,687 jurisdictions in 48 states enforce the International Codes to protect people and property in their communities.

For a complete list of jurisdictions that use the International Codes, click here.

The International Code Council, a membership association 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.