Washington, D.C. – The theme for the International Code Council’s 43rd annual Building Safety Month is “Building Safety Starts with You!” The educational and interactive campaign will take place in May to raise awareness about the importance of building codes in ensuring safety in the spaces we live, work, play and learn. Each year, the Code Council, its members and communities around the world celebrate building safety through proclamations, educational events and community gatherings.

Building Safety Month 2023 will explore how building safety impacts all of us on personal, local and global levels. The weekly themes for this year’s campaign are:

• Week One (May 1–7): “Building Safety Starts at Home”
• Week Two (May 8—14): “Building Safety Professionals and You”
• Week Three (May 15—21): “Prepare Your Community”
• Week Four (May 22—28): “Advocate for Your Community”
• Week Five (May 29—31): “Solving Challenges Together”

“Building safety is something many people take for granted,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “By becoming more aware of building codes and the important role they play in the built environment, we can take an active part in keeping our homes, schools, businesses, and communities safe and sustainable.”

The Code Council provides resources to promote Building Safety Month including safety tips, promotional graphics and lesson plans for elementary school students.

More details about the 2023 Building Safety Month will be released in the coming months, be sure to visit www.buildingsafetymonth.org for more information.

Show your commitment to building safety and become a Building Safety Month sponsor by visiting buildingsafetymonth.org/become-a-sponsor

View the 2023 Building Safety Month Poster here.

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About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council, in collaboration with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), has released a new guide, Energy Storage Systems: Based on the IBC, IFC, IRC and NEC, which is now available on IREC’s Clean Energy Clearinghouse. The guide was developed with the help of building officials, emergency services, planners, architects, and engineers to safely plan, design, build, and permit energy storage systems (ESS) in the built environment.

 The guide will serve as a reference to a variety of ESS technologies including:

• Utility-scale and large commercial-scale ESS projects
• Residential and small commercial-scale ESS projects
• Fire and explosion risk in battery-based ESS
• Key standards for ESS equipment and installations
• Applicable codes
• Reviewing and inspecting techniques for ESS

Printable checklists for document reviews and inspections are also included. The guide is available as a free PDF download or can be purchased in print. The Code Council will also make the guide available with an ICC Digital Codes Premium Singles or Premium Complete subscription.

“The Code Council is committed to delivering tools communities need to support the safe and effective use of distributed energy resources,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “This guide is a critical resource that combines the knowledge of energy and code experts to help successfully implement ESS technologies. We look forward to our continued work with IREC to expand efforts to both advance and strengthen energy efficiency goals around the world.”

The Code Council partners with leading industry organizations like IREC, and other EMPOWERED partners, to ensure code officials and other stakeholders have access to relevant, and vetted resources through IREC’s Clean Energy Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse offers free access to educational resources, monthly EMPOWERED Solutions webinars, and CEU-bearing courses for stakeholders in the clean energy sector. Available resources provide individuals with up-to-date information and training related to existing and emerging technologies to help improve the built environment and advance career growth.

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About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

About the Interstate Renewable Energy Council
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council builds the foundation for rapid adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency to benefit people, the economy, and our planet. IREC develops and advances the regulatory reforms, technical standards, and workforce solutions needed to enable the streamlined integration of clean, distributed energy resources.