President Barack Obama Signs Proclamation Designating May 2012 as National Building Safety Month

2012 marks second consecutive year President Obama has recognized the International Code Council Foundation initiative to raise awareness of the importance of modern model building codes

The International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) announced today that President Barack Obama signed a proclamation designating May 2012 as Building Safety Month. President Obama signed a similar proclamation in 2011.

President Obama stated in the proclamation that resilient infrastructure is essential to an America built to last, and during National Building Safety Month, we recommit to strengthening our Nation’s ability to withstand the threats and hazards we face.

Building Safety Month, which is conducted each May by the ICCF, raises awareness among individuals, families and businesses about the importance of building and maintaining safe and sustainable structures in the U.S. and around the globe. Building Safety Month messages also reinforce the need for:

• The adoption of modern model building codes,
• A strong and efficient system to enforce those codes, and
• A well-trained professional workforce to ensure public safety

Each is a critical step toward building stronger communities and, ultimately, a safer world.

“Code Council Members are the experts our nation relies on to create and enforce building construction codes that provide safe buildings for Americans where they live, learn, work and play,” said International Code Council (ICC) CEO and Foundation President Richard P. Weiland. “We thank President Obama for recognizing the importance of building safety and join him in saluting code enforcement officials around the nation for the contributions they make to save lives every day.”

Each week of Building Safety Month focuses attention on a specific area: Energy and Green Building, Disaster Safety and Mitigation, Fire Safety and Awareness, and Backyard Safety with safety tips and information provided by ICC Members in their local communities through community events, demonstration projects and educational outreach initiatives.

Building Safety Month was formed by the ICCF in 1980 in response to a series of tragedies that could have been prevented through the existence and enforcement of safety codes.

More than 50,000 ICC Members throughout the U.S. and 100,000 subscribers worldwide celebrate Building Safety Month each year through official ceremonies, community outreach events, demonstration projects and school-based programs. Learn more and download safety information, program suggestions and more by joining Building Safety Month at www.buildingsafetymonth.org.

The International Code Council is a member-focused association dedicated to helping the building safety community and construction industry provide safe and sustainable construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.