WASHINGTON — The International Code Council (ICC) announced its 38th annual Building Safety Month theme will focus on how Building Codes Save Lives. Building Safety Month is an international campaign held during the month of May that raises awareness about building safety, the importance of current safety codes, and the role of code officials in creating safe, sustainable structures that communities can rely on for generations to come.

During May, the ICC, its 64,000 members, and a diverse partnership of professionals from the building construction, design and safety community come together with corporations, government agencies, professional associations, and nonprofits to promote building safety through proclamations, informational events, legislative briefings, and more.

Building codes really do save lives, said Dominic Sims, CEO, ICC.

“Building Safety Month brings attention to issues that are not regularly considered unless disaster strikes,” said Sims. “Modern codes and standards incorporate the latest technology and provide the safest, most resilient structures for our families and communities to protect against building failures, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, high-rise fires, and other modern-day disasters. Building codes really do save lives.”

The ICC, in partnership with our members and stakeholders, works hard year-round to ensure that we work, live, and play in strong, safe buildings, said Jay Elbettar, board president, ICC.  “Through Building Safety Month activities, we recognize the dedication of our code officials and celebrate the fact that the international codes result in the highest level of building safety in the industrial world,” he said.

Weekly themes throughout the month will spotlight specific areas of building safety, including:

•           May 1-5: Partnering with Code Officials to Build Stronger, Safer Communities;

•           May 6-12: Advancing Resilient Communities Through Science & Technology;

•           May 13-19: Protecting Communities from Disasters;

•           May 20-26: Safeguarding Our Water; and

•           May 27-31: Improving Education & Training Standards for a Safer Tomorrow.

For more information, visit www.buildingsafetymonth.org.

Publication date: 01/09/18