AIA Lauds IBHS Report
Assessing Building Safety Regs.
In 18 Hurricane-Prone States
model to all states including those inland who may sustain wind damage,”
said Whittle. “Florida correctly recognized the need to update its codes and
place a priority on home and business
safety for its citizens.
WASHINGTON — The American
Insurance Association (AIA) today
praised the Insurance Institute for
Business & Home Safety (IBHS) for
its release of a report which evaluates
the building codes in 18 hurricane-prone states located along the Gulf of
Mexico and the Atlantic Coast.
“Florida’s adoption of strong and uni-
form building codes on a statewide ba-
sis beginning in 1994, following the
devastation of Hurricane Andrew two
years earlier, continues to serve as a
“Had such codes been in place prior
to Andrew, it is estimated that damage
sustained by the hurricane would have
been reduced by 50 percent for resi-
dential and 40 percent for commercial
properties.”
The purpose of the IBHS report, “An
Assessment of Residential and Build-
ing Code and Enforcement Systems
for Life Safety and Property Protec-
tion in Hurricane Prone Regions,” is
to provide states with the information
and tools necessary to identify where
their systems need improvement.
AIA supports the goal of implementing stronger and more uniform building codes as it will save both lives and
property.
“Building codes serve as a baseline
for safety standards used in the design, construction and maintenance
of homes and buildings,” said Jim
Whittle, AIA assistant general counsel and chief claims counsel. “Their
purpose is to increase safety and reduce deaths, injuries and property
damage. AIA applauds IBHS for raising awareness on the importance of
adopting stronger and more uniform
building codes.”
IBHS developed a model, using engineering expertise and regulatory
analysis, to measure the building regulatory systems in hurricane-prone
states.
The model included a list of 47 objective questions that were divided
into three elements: 1) code adoption and enforcement; 2) code official training and certification; and, 3)
licensing requirements for construction trades. States received credit for
answers consistent with promoting
life safety. Florida earned the highest
ranking among the states surveyed.
