by Rebecca Walker — January 18, 2010—The International Code Council is encouraging the smart application of proven seismic safety principles to rebuild Port-au-Prince and other Haitian communities following Tuesday’s devastating earthquake.
“We know that damage, fatalities and injuries from earthquakes can be reduced by code adoption and enforcement,” said Richard P. Weiland, CEO of the International Code Council. “On behalf of our members and our organization, we extend support and prayers to the people of Haiti, and for the efforts underway to respond to the devastating impacts of the earthquake. In particular we are thinking of our colleagues in the building safety community, as they develop strategies to rebuild from this incredible devastation.”
The International Code Council is a non-profit, membership organization composed of code officials ranging from building inspectors to fire suppression officials, along with architects, engineers, developers and building owners, and others involved in the building safety community.
The Code Council develops model codes which have been adopted in all 50 states, and are either adapted or used as resources around the world including nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia and the Middle East. The family of International Codes includes specific sections addressing natural hazards, which are regularly updated in coordination with U.S. federal agencies and reflecting current data and field experience.
“Effective codes, such as the International Codes enforced throughout earthquake-prone areas in the U.S., require certain design and construction approaches that acknowledge hazards and the risks they pose,” said Weiland. “The many members of the Code Council who work in seismically active regions know firsthand the value of these codes and the techniques to ensure their effective enforcement. While building to newer codes may result in slight increases in construction costs, studies show that every dollar spent on building safer and stronger prevents four to seven dollars in future losses.”
For more information, see the ICC Web site.
