President Declares May 2013 as Building Safety Month
Fire Safety & Awareness Is Week 1 Theme of 2013 Building Safety Month
Special Events Promote Building Safety Month in California, Iowa and Virginia
Thank You Building Safety Month Sponsors
 
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President Declares May 2013 as Building Safety Month

Proclamation recognizes important role codes and standards play in public safety.

President Barack Obama has signed a proclamation declaring May as Building Safety Month.

"When natural disasters and other hazards put American lives at risk, robust codes and standards for our buildings play an important role in keeping us safe," the President states in the proclamation. "They ensure our homes and businesses are resilient to the challenges of our time—not just by making them structurally sound, but also by boosting their energy efficiency."

The document acknowledges International Code Council (ICC) Members and others who develop the American-based International Codes. "This month, as we pay tribute to professionals who design, construct, and secure our infrastructure, let us raise awareness about building safety and rededicate ourselves to improving it in the days to come," the proclamation said.

The proclamation cites support for cities and towns from coast to coast as they pursue disaster preparedness, mitigation and redevelopment, and urges everyone to get involved in FEMA's Ready program.

With all 50 states and the District of Columbia voluntarily adopting the International Codes at the state or jurisdictional level, they are the most widely used codes in U.S. cities, counties and states.

The codes include safeguards for the construction of homes and buildings to protect the public from natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, wildland fires and earthquakes. The codes also address safe swimming pools and spas, energy efficiency and plumbing. This year, marks the 40th anniversary of smoke alarms in codes. Smoke alarms have saved countless numbers of lives by alerting people to fires in homes and other buildings.

Governors, mayors and other elected officials also recognize May as Building Safety Month in proclamations. Founded in 1980, Building Safety Month is celebrated annually by jurisdictions across the nation. Many building and fire departments host public events in their communities to raise public awareness of Building Safety Month providing educational materials and presentations.

The safety campaign reinforces the need for the adoption of modern, model building codes; a strong and efficient system of code compliance; and a well-trained, professional workforce to provide public safety. A diverse partnership of building safety, design and construction professionals, corporations, government agencies, professional associations and nonprofits come together to support Building Safety Month because they understand the need for safe and sustainable structures where we live, work and play. This year's presenting sponsors of Building Safety Month are the American Gas Association, the Air Movement and Control Association, and BASF.
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Fire Safety & Awareness Is Week 1 Theme of 2013 Building Safety Month

In 2010, more than 362,000 residential fires caused 2,555 deaths, more than 13,000 injuries and more than $6.5 billion in property damages. According to the United States Fire Association (USFA), the top five fire-safety topics most frequently identified with home fire deaths are smoke alarms, escape plans, child fire safety, older adult fire safety (cooking and heating) and careless smoking.

So what can you do to prevent fires in your home? The USFA offers these statistics and tips:

• Children under age 5 are twice as likely as the rest of us to die in a home fire. So create an escape plan and make sure everyone in your home practices it. Plan two routes of escape from every room, and designate a meeting place outside of the home. Remember: get out and stay out.
• The number one cause of preventable home fire deaths is smoking. If you smoke, practice these fire-safety tips to avoid putting your life, your home and your family at risk: Don't leave a burning cigarette, cigar or pipe unattended. If you feel drowsy, put it out immediately. Use deep ashtrays. And, never smoke in bed.
• The second leading cause of fire death for older adults is heating. When buying a space heater, look for the auto-off feature should the heater fall over. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from other objects. Your fireplace should have a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
• The third leading cause of fire death for older adults is cooking. Never leave cooking unattended because a serious fire can start in seconds. Don't wear loose clothing while cooking. Keep towels and pot holders away from the range. Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave your home.
• More than 2,500 Americans died in home fires last year. In most cases, the home did not have a working smoke alarm. A sounding smoke alarm gives you with the extra seconds you need to get out of your home - alive. Install and maintain a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Replace the battery every year. It's a simple way to help keep you and your family better protected 24-7.


Residential fire sprinkler ordinances have been adopted by several hundred U.S. communities for use in one and two family dwellings. Such systems have been shown to provide significant life safety benefits. Adding residential fire sprinklers to the 2009 International Residential Code so that communities can adopt them as part of their local building code is the most important step to reducing residential fire deaths since requiring smoke alarms in residential structures.

In the past several years, technological advances have improved the reliability of residential fire sprinklers. Learn the facts about residential fire sprinklers.

Important Fire Safety Links:

10 Important Tips for Fire Safety & Awareness Week
Safety Tips from Your Building Inspector
Watch a "Tale of Two Homes — Wildfire"
Watch "How-To" Videos on Wildfire Safety
Residential Fire Sprinkler Information
ICC-NVFC Sound the Alarm Program
AMCA Articles on Life Safety Systems
FEMA Public Fire Safety Videos

Read more about 2013 Building Safety Month.

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Special Events Promote Building Safety Month in California, Iowa and Virginia

The Rancho Palos Verde, Calif., Building & Safety Department; the Virginia Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors Association; the Alexandria, Va., Department of Codes Administration; and the Northern Virginia Building Officials Coalition are reaching out to the public they serve by hosting Building Safety Month events in their jurisdictions.

Tell us how your jurisdiction is promoting 2013 Building Safety Month.

Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad recently signed a 2013 Building Safety Month proclamation that asks Iowans "to consider projects to improve building safety and sustainability at home and in the community, and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local and state building departments and federal agencies in protecting lives and property." Pictured with the proclamation are ICC Board of Directors Member Ron Hoover (left), who serves as Director of the Marion, Iowa, Building Inspection Department and as Fire Chief of the Alburnett, Iowa, Fire Department; and Iowa State Fire Marshal Ray Reynolds.

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Thank You Building Safety Month Sponsors

ICC is grateful to the organizations that are supporting Building Safety Month by being official sponsors. Their contributions help make it possible for us increase awareness about building safety in the building industry and public sector.

This year's theme is "Building Safety Month: Code Officials Keep You Safe." Each week of Building Safety Month spotlights a specific area of building safety. The theme for Week One, May 6–12, is "Fire Safety and Awareness." Week one is sponsored by the Air Movement and Control Association. The theme for Week Two, May 13–19, is "Disaster Safety and Mitigation." Week two is sponsored by BASF. The theme for Week Three, May 20–26, is "Backyard and Pool Safety." The theme for Week Four, May 27–31, is "Energy and Green Building." Week four is sponsored by the American Gas Association.

In addition to the Presenting Sponsors already mentioned, ICC greatly appreciates the following organizations who are Major Sponsors, including the American Institute of Architects, Dow, the National Association of Home Builders and the National Multi Housing Council. Thanks also goes to our Supporting Sponsors, including the American Society for Testing and Materials and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

For more information about Building Safety Month, click here.

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