The Role of Building Codes in Disaster Risk Reduction: Mitigating the Disastrous Effects of Natural Hazards in Building Construction by Preventive Measures
The International Code Council's Global Department presented the 2014 Global Forum at its Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale on Monday. The theme for the afternoon's presentations was "The Role of Building Codes in Disaster Risk Reduction: Mitigating the Disastrous Effects of Natural Hazards in Building Construction by Preventive Measures."
Raj Nathan, President of ICC's Global Department, moderated the Forum. He gave introductory comments, and gave the floor to Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims and President of the ICC Board of Directors Stephen D. Jones to address attendees.
"I've seen this event grow from a very, very small group of individuals who were having a hard time finding a room to meet in, to something as big and impressive as this group here today," Sims said. "Congratulations." He went on to mention how cdpACCESS, ICC's cloud-based code development process, has implications for the global community. "We will be able to break down the barriers of time, space and resources, and engage the global community in participating in the ICC code development process."
"We are truly an international organization," said Jones. "We are here to help in any way we can. I encourage all of you to participate [in cdpACCESS]."
Nathan presented Jones with a special edition of the Abu Dhabi Building Codes on behalf of the Global Services staff.
"Thank you so much. I really didn't expect this," said Jones. "It was a year ago when we met in Atlantic City when we found out that Abu Dhabi was going to use the ICC codes. This is absolutely fantastic."
Nathan introduced the keynote address, "Wall of Wind Research to Enhance Building Codes and Mitigate the Disastrous Effects of Hurricanes through Preventive Measures," presented by Dr. Arindam Gan Chowdhury, Director of the Laboratory for Wind Engineering Research at Florida International University International Hurricane Research Center.
A joint USA/Jamaica presentation, "Implementation of Building Regulation for Disaster
Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in the Caribbean" was made by Dr. Frederick Krimgold, Director, Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Advanced Research Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Commentator. Panelists included Dwight Wilson, Senior Director, Technical Services and Major Projects, Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Jamaica, who gave an update on regulatory issues in his country; Eric Dickson, Senior Urban Specialist, Program Manager of the Disaster Risk Reduction for Latin America and the Caribbean, The World Bank; Thomas Moullier, Senior Private Sector Development Specialist, Trade & Competitiveness, The World Bank; and Tony Gibbs, a private consultant from Barbados, who has worked with the International Conference of Building Officials and ICC in the past.
Thomas Meyers, CBO, Loss Prevention Engineer, Dhahran Area Loss Prevention, Project Support Group, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, presented on, "The International Building Code and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Challenges in the Implementation of the International Building and Fire Codes."
Nakaya Tomoko, Head of the Architecture Division, Public Works Bureau, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, gave a short presentation, "Measures for Disaster Risk Mitigation in Existing Buildings in Japan: The BSL and Preventive/Corrective Actions."
A participant of the Global Inspector Program, Mohammed Al Marar, a young engineer from Abu Dhabi, shared his experience so far with the program.
Dr. Guo-Qiang Li, Structural Engineering Professor, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, China, presented, "Chinese Building Codes and Disaster Prevention."
Chuck Ramani, P.E., CBO, ICC Global Services; President, International Accreditation Service, gave closing remarks.
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| Raj Nathan, head of ICC Global Services, opens the Global Forum. |
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| International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims (left) and Board of Directors President Stephen D. Jones welcomes attendees to this year's Global Forum. |
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| Raj Nathan (right), head of ICC Global Services, presented ICC Board of Directors President Stephen D. Jones with a special edition of the Abu Dhabi Building Codes on behalf of the Global Services staff. |
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