IBHS Urges New York to Adopt 2015 Model Building Codes

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The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) said it is commending the New York Code Council for starting the process to adopt the 2015 edition of the International Code Council model (ICC) building codes, known as the I-Codes.

IBHS also said it is urging the New York Code Council to move forward quickly to complete the adoption process by its stated deadline of August 2015.

Adoption of the 2015 I-Codes, without any weakening amendments, will significantly increase the safety of New York’s citizens and improve the resilience and energy efficiency of the state’s homes and businesses, IBHS said.

New York currently is enforcing the 2006 I-Codes, which are outdated and do not take advantage of the latest developments in building construction practices, materials and methods, IBHS said. As a building science research organization, IBHS supports the use of best practices in construction and retrofitting to make buildings more disaster-resistant, which is essential as extreme weather becomes more frequent and more costly around the country.

“One of IBHS’ highest priorities is the adoption and enforcement of strong, mandatory statewide building codes,” said Si Farvardin, IBHS’ manager of codes and standards. “Like other effective mitigation measures, strong building codes can help save lives, promote long-term fiscal stability, reduce public sector response and recovery costs, protect the environment, and create a more resilient society.”

“New York is subject to a variety of severe weather, including winter weather and hurricanes such as Sandy two years ago, which is why it is so important to maintain and enforce the protection provided by up-to-date building codes throughout the state,” said Farvardin.

IBHS publishes a triennial report, “Rating the States,” which assesses the building code systems in the 18 most hurricane-prone states along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, including New York. In the original report released in 2012, New York received a score of 60 out of 100 possible points, placing it in the lower third of the 18 states reviewed. Adoption of the 2015 I-Codes with no weakening amendments will greatly improve the New York’s building code system and provide better protection for its residents, according to IBHS.

IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by the property insurance industry.IBHS conducts research to identify and promote effective actions that strengthen homes, businesses, and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss.

Source: The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

Topics New York

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