Federal Lawmakers Support Statewide Adoption Of Current Building Codes

Insurance industry-funded IBHS, a nonprofit organization that advances robust wall construction typical of concrete or masonry methods, is endorsing federal legislation incentivizing statewide building code adoption and enforcement

Sources: Institute for Business and Home Safety, Tampa, Fla.; CP staff

Insurance industry-funded IBHS, a nonprofit organization that advances robust wall construction typical of concrete or masonry methods, is endorsing federal legislation incentivizing statewide building code adoption and enforcement. Introduced by Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Michael Arcuri (D-NY), the Safe Building Code Act (H.R. 2592) was developed by the National Association of Mutual Insurance CompaniesÌ Building Code Coalition.

Factoring wide variation in construction standards and oversight across the country, bill proponents assert that an effective means to encourage stronger building codes is to make prospective post-disaster mitigation aid contingent upon a state’s enforcement of more rigorous standards. Under the Safe Building Code Act, 13 states would qualify for additional monies, while 10 additional states could qualify with minor legislative modifications. Another eight states have adopted statewide codes, but lack enforcement authorization.

Sporting research that underscores strong building codesÌ safety benefits and cost-effectiveness, IBHS will help educate members of Congress on the need to incentivize states to adopt and enforce stricter standards. The IBHS flagship program, Fortified÷ for safer living, was rolled out in 2000 in response to 1992’s Hurricane Andrew. The program specifies construction and design guidelines to increase a home’s resistance to natural disasters, e.g., hurricane winds, wildfires and flooding, most likely to occur in the region where the house is built.