First-of-their-kind resilience benchmarks for U.S. communities that can be used to evaluate the current state of resilience and guidance for areas of improvement has been released.
The benchmarks, developed by the International Code Council and the Alliance for National and Community Resilience (ANCR), consist of nine requirements aimed at increasing the resilience of communities, including the adoption, administration, and enforcement of building codes. The benchmarks encourage local governments to adopt building codes and to provide the human, technical and financial resources necessary to support permitting, plan review, and inspections.
“A holistic approach to identifying and incorporating resilience measures into a community’s building stock, including the adoption of the latest building codes, supports the mitigation of damage from natural disasters and increases the overall resiliency of our communities,” said ANCR Executive Director Ryan Colker in a news release. “These benchmarks provide a standard for local and state governments to follow ensuring they are well prepared for the next disaster.”
State and local government officials contributed to the development of the buildings benchmarks, including representatives from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the New York City Department of Buildings. Representatives from across the building industry, including designers, manufacturers, trade groups and nonprofits, were also involved in the development of the benchmarks.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Feb 16, 2016
Obama establishes federal earthquake risk management standard
The standard requires federal agencies to use earthquake-resistant design provisions in current building codes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2016
ISO releases national assessment and state-by-state building codes evaluation
Report covers 87% of U.S. population.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2016
Huge fraud case involving alleged engineering impostors uncovered in California
Hundreds of buildings may have to be demolished.
Codes and Standards | Feb 11, 2016
New York governor makes emergency design-build authorization
The declaration was issued in response to Winter Storm Jonas which dumped over 18 inches of snow in parts of the state.
Green | Jan 29, 2016
USGBC names top 10 states for LEED green building
Illinois leads the list for the third straight year.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2016
Dept. of Energy releases decision guides for plug and process loads
Plug and process loads consume about 30% of the primary energy in U.S. commercial buildings today.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
ConsensusDocs releases new multi-party IPD agreement and joining agreement
The documents serve as a comprehensive revision of previous IPD agreement
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
State Savings Calculator analyzes savings associated with energy codes
The calculator breaks down the cost-effectiveness of energy codes on a state-by-state basis.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
Metal Roofing Seaming Guide published by Metal Construction Association
The free document is specifically tailored for metal roof installation.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
Treasury Dept. will start crackdown on illicit money in luxury real estate
The move is expected to impact high-end condo development.