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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING BUILDING SAFETY MONTH
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HON. SHARICE DAVIDS
of kansas
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 24, 2019
Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, today, during Building Safety
Month, I am pleased to recognize the importance of safety in the built
environment and the dedication of the members of the International Code
Council (ICC) for their roles in protecting our communities.
With natural disasters only expected to increase in frequency and
severity, building codes include important safeguards to protect the
public from tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, snowstorms, wildland fires,
and earthquakes. In January 2019, the congressionally-established
National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) released a study finding
that adopting modern model building codes save $11 for every $1
invested through earthquake, flood, and wind mitigation benefits, with
a $4 to $1 wildfire mitigation benefit. These benefits represent
avoided casualties, property damage, business interruptions, and
insurance costs, and are enjoyed by all building stakeholders--from
developers, titleholders, and lenders, to tenants and communities.
Vulnerable and underserved populations are most effected by increases
in utility costs. And they often have the most to lose in the event of
a disaster or health emergency. Building codes establish minimum
requirements that ensure safe, resilient, and energy efficient schools,
childcare and healthcare facilities, housing, and places of employment,
regardless of the income or background of the facility's ownership and
occupants. These protections are required by law for public safety, and
enforced by code officials to ensure everyone enjoys the same
protections and plays by the same rules.
Year round, building safety and fire prevention officials,
architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, laborers, and others in
the construction industry work to ensure the safe construction of
buildings though the use of model building codes. The dedicated members
of the International Code Council, a national standards developing
organization, come together with local, state and federal officials to
develop voluntary consensus codes that protect Americans in the
buildings where we worship, live, work, learn, and play. The
International Codes, the most widely adopted building safety and fire
prevention codes in the nation, are used by most U.S. cities and
counties and in all 50 states, including the State of Kansas. I commend
the city of Lenexa in my district for adopting the 2018 International
Codes and the other cities in my district that are undertaking efforts
to update their building codes.
Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council
to remind the public about the critical role of our communities' code
officials in assuring us safe, efficient, and livable buildings. ``No
Code. No Confidence,'' the theme for Building Safety Month 2019,
encourages all Americans to raise awareness of the importance of safe
and resilient construction, fire prevention, disaster mitigation, and
new technologies in the construction industry.
I am honored to recognize International Code Council Board President
William R. Bryant, ICC's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, the
International Code Council leadership, and ICC's Members and staff as
they celebrate Building Safety Month.
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