Building Safety Journal Author List of Articles

About the Author

Susan M. Dowty, P.E., S.E., is a regional manager in the Government Relations department of the International Code Council. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the administration, development and interpretation of building code provisions. She is a previous California Building Standards Commission member and a former staff engineer for the Code Council's legacy organization in California.
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Seven thoughts about earthquake resilience and COVID-19

David Bonowitz, S.E., a leading structural engineer in San Francisco, shares his thoughts about earthquake resilience and prolonged COVID-19 shutdowns and what it means to plan for the recovery of a whole community.

Date Posted: 05/04/2020

California experiences back-to-back earthquakes

The 7.1-magnitude Searles Valley Earthquake that occurred during the July 4th holiday in Southern California is the largest to hit the state in 20 years.

Date Posted: 07/08/2019

Buildings can be designed to withstand earthquakes

The Code Council’s Susan Dowty responds to a recent article in The New York Times and discusses how the California Legislature, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, the Code Council and the California Building Officials are working to strengthen seismic design in the U.S.

Date Posted: 06/20/2019

Immediate occupancy in the aftermath of natural disasters

New NIST report provides valuable information about steps that could be taken to achieve immediate occupancy for commercial and residential buildings in the future.

Date Posted: 09/18/2018