FEMA Participating in 41st Annual Building Safety Month

FEMA is participating in Building Safety Month in collaboration with the International Code Council (ICC). Building Safety Month is an international campaign celebrated in May that raises awareness about critical safety issues from structural integrity to fire prevention, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency. FEMA is a proud supporter of Building Safety Month.

The 2021 Building Safety Month theme is “Prevent. Prepare. Protect. Building Codes Save.”

Each week of May focuses has a special focus:

Week One, May 1-9

Energy and Innovation

Week Two, May 10-16 

Training the Next Generation

Week Three, May 17-23

Water Safety

Week Four, May 24-31

Disaster Preparedness

Disaster resilience starts with building codes because they enhance public safety and property protection. Awareness is key and, to date, only 35% of communities have formally adopted the latest hazard-resistant building codes. FEMA encourages robust code enforcement and provides grants, education, training and technical support when needed (pre- and post-disaster) to help convey the value of standardized, up-to-date building codes. Find your current building code today at www.inspecttoprotect.org and www.fema.gov/bcat.

FEMA has many resources to raise awareness of hazard-resistant building codes, promote hazard-resistant mitigation, and assist communities with building code activities. To assist in that effort FEMA has a building code resource web page for seismic, flood, high wind, multi-hazard, and other (wildfires and snow) hazards.

The U.S. Fire Administration also sponsors research to create a safer operational environment and building construction awareness during fires, visit: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/operations/ops_safety_building_construction.html. 

For additional information on Building Safety Month, visit: 2021 Building Safety Month - ICC (iccsafe.org).

For additional information on FEMA Building Science, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/building-science. Or, you contact your local regional building science point of contact. 

For additional information on FEMA’s Earthquake and Wind Programs Branch, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/earthquake.

Help us spread the message. Visit here to find out how you can get involved with building safety in your community!