New FEMA Policy Takes Holistic View to Sustainability and Resilience BY RYAN COLKER In 2023, the U.S. experienced a record 28 disasters causing over $1 billion in damages, far eclipsing the prior record of 22 in 2020. Many of these disasters are driven by climate change. Communities that are impacted by these disasters often experience a long road to recovery…
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International Code Council reveals Building Safety Month possibilities
The 44th Annual Building Safety Month, programmed to raises awareness about the importance of building codes in establishing and ensuring the safety of the built environment, kicks off on May 1 with the theme “Mission Possible.” Each year, International Code Council officials and members, along with global communities, advance building safety measures through proclamations, educational events and community gatherings. The…
Read MoreCouncil envisions better proposal vetting in new code development process
Source: International Code Council, Itasca, Ill. The International Code Council has outlined development process changes, effective 2024-2026 toward the 2027 International Codes (I-Codes). In the new timeline, year one will include two Committee Action Hearings for Group A Codes; year two will include two Committee Action Hearings for Group B Codes; and year three will be the joint Public Comment…
Read MoreInternational Code Council personalizes theme for 2023 Building Safety Month
“Building Safety Starts with You!” is the theme for the International Code Council’s 43rd annual Building Safety Month. 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, ICC, its members and communities around the world celebrate…
Read MoreASTM Committees open International Masonry Symposium registration
Sources: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.; CP staff Registration is open for the ASTM International 2022 Masonry Symposium: Advancing Masonry Technology, June 14 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle (Washington, USA). The event dovetails the June standards meetings of its four co-sponsors: ASTM Committees C01 on Cement, C07 on Lime, C07 on Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry, and C15 on…
Read MoreInstitute scribes Energy Conservation Code language for net-zero buildings
Source: New Buildings Institute, Portland, Ore. The New Buildings Institute presents its just-released Building Decarbonization Code as a groundbreaking tool for delivering carbon neutral performance and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) overlay. NBI aims to help states and cities working to mitigate carbon resulting from energy use in the built environment, which accounts for 39 percent of U.S. greenhouse…
Read MoreFEMA: Big data proves high building code standards’ ROI
Sources: Federal Emergency Management Agency; CP staff FEMA presents the benefits of constructing at a higher building code standard for natural disasters such as winds, floods and seismic activity in a new report, “Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study.” The agency finds that 18.1 million buildings constructed at a higher code standard save the nation about $1.6 billion annually.
Read MoreACI leads Building Safety Month 2020 sponsors
Sources: International Code Council, Itasca, Ill.; CP staff
“Safer Buildings, Safer Communities, Safer World” is the theme of the International Code Council-designated global campaign, Building Safety Month (May). The American Concrete Institute, National Association of Home Builders and other sponsors will join the ICC in promoting the role of modern building codes and attendant compliance measures in creating safer and more resilient communities.
Read MoreFeds’ resilience program funds concrete, masonry building research
Sources: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Md.; CP staff
NIST has announced grants for research into how earthquakes, wind and fire affect the built environment, targeting results that inform building designs, codes and standards. One of 12 projects addresses combustible-material performance in the face of hazard exposure; three others focus on concrete or masonry structure behavior following seismic events.
Read MoreEnergy efficiency council ranks building and vehicle leaders, laggards
Sources: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Washington, D.C.; CP staff
As the federal government loosens environmental rules, states are investing more in energy efficiency and delivering increased power savings. Based on 32 metrics in six areas, including building and vehicle performance, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) 12th annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard cites leaders California and Massachusetts; laggards North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming; and, states with the highest year-over-year improvements, notably New Jersey.
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