Oct 31 2011
A recent Congressional briefing held by the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition and the Hazards Caucus Alliance focused on "Building Safety in the Face of Disasters." Hosted by the BuildStrong Coalition and led by one of its member organizations, the National Institute of Building Sciences, the event was especially appropriate in light of the growing prevalence of natural disasters across the country.
Representative Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.), the High-Performance Building Caucus Co-Chair, kicked off the briefing by highlighting the importance of a resilient community and the experiences of Joplin, Missouri. Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety President Julie Rochman discussed the importance of research and investigation in understanding how buildings respond to particular hazards. National Institute of Building Sciences President Henry Green talked about incorporating lessons learned into building codes to protect communities from future risks. International Code Council Board Member and Codes Specialist for Fairfax County, Virginia, Guy Tomberlin, addressed how codes are utilized at the local level. Ryan Colker, Presidential Advisor at the Institute, moderated the event.
The BuildStrong Coalition advocates for the adoption of building codes as a mitigation tool. Learn more about the Coalition.
