During the month of May, the City of Newton will participate in the 40th annual Building Safety Month, a worldwide campaign presented by the International Code Council, its members and partners to promote building safety. This year’s campaign, “Prevent, Prepare, Protect. Building Codes Save.” raises awareness about the importance of building codes in ensuring safety in the spaces in which we live, work and learn.
Homes and buildings that are built in compliance with building safety codes and the officials who enforce the codes are essential to helping communities minimize risk of death, injury and property damage while also helping buildings be energy efficient (lower monthly utility bills).
As we see increased severity and frequency of natural disasters, including the August 2020 derecho that hit our community, building safety is even more important. Disaster mitigation through the adoption and enforcement of building codes is one of the best ways for communities to prepare and protect against future disasters.
With an extensive history dating back to 2200 B.C and the Code of the Hammurabi, king of the Babylonian Empire, building codes have protected the public for thousands of years. The regulation of building construction in the United States dates back to the 1700s.
Today, the International Codes, developed by the Code Council and adopted by our community, are the most widely used and adopted set of building safety codes in the U.S. and around the world.
Learn more about Building Safety Month online or join the conversation on social media using #BuildingSafety365.
