by Brianna Crandall — July 30, 2014—The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 1786, The National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014. This bill authorizes funding for increased research that would significantly reduce the vulnerability of homes and businesses to wind-related hazards.
“IBHS greatly appreciates Rep. Randy Neugebauer’s (R-TX) sponsorship of this important legislation and his leadership on disaster mitigation issues. We urge the Senate to pass this bill, and Congress to take the next crucial step by appropriating money to fund this critical program,” said Dr. Tim Reinhold, IBHS senior vice president of research and chief engineer. The bill is now under consideration in a Senate committee.
“Windstorm risks are much broader than hurricanes, and additional research such as that conducted at IBHS’ state-of-the-art research facility, would potentially reduce the impact of other wind-related disasters like tornadoes, thunderstorms, and wind-driven wildfires. As we have testified numerous times before on this bill, the steps we take now toward building resilience will make us stronger against Mother Nature’s continuing onslaught,” Reinhold explained.
IBHS is a leading authority on wind research in the United States. Its world-class Research Center, located in Richburg, South Carolina, features a 105-fan array and other specialized equipment designed to recreate a variety of highly realistic wind, rain, fire and hail events.
“Our members created the IBHS Research Center in part because wind hazard research—as it applies to building performance—has been underfunded for decades. Relatively little has been done by the federal government to further the understanding of how the characteristics of different types of windstorms affect the real-world performance of building components, connections, and systems,” Reinhold stated.
“H.R. 1786 would steer federal dollars into wind-related research and implement a strategic plan to establish goals to improve mitigation against loss of life and property from future windstorms. It also would give the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) primary responsibility for the program’s planning and coordination. This bill is a part of a suite of bills the BuildStrong Coalition endorsed, and IBHS supports, that serve as a comprehensive natural disaster mitigation strategy for the country,” noted Reinhold.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks on residential and commercial property by conducting building science research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparedness practices.
