From the Editors: 15 of Our Favorite Building Safety Journal Articles From 2024
As we look back on this remarkable year, the editorial team at Building Safety Journal has curated a list of the 15 articles that captured the essence of 2024.
2024 was a big year for the International Code Council and the building safety industry, filled with impactful developments, innovative initiatives and notable achievements. As we look back on this remarkable year, the editorial team of the Building Safety Journal has curated a list of the 15 articles that captured the essence of 2024.
These articles showcase the year’s most compelling stories, from advancements in building safety and sustainability to the latest updates on codes, standards and industry trends.
In no particular order, check out 15 of our favorite articles below:
9 Essential Skills to Succeed in Building Safety
Explore the essential skills needed to thrive in a building safety career. From mastering math and effective communication to understanding the codes and more, these skills are the foundation for building safety professionals to advance and excel in their field.
Read the article here.
Hydrogen Fuel Generation, Distribution & Usage: What You Need to Know
In this article, we break down some key insights about hydrogen, encompassing its generation, distribution and beyond. We examine prominent hydrogen initiatives in both Australia and North America, while also delving into some of the collaborative efforts expected to yield innovative solutions on the horizon.
Read the article here.
Building Safety in the Middle East: Discussing ICC MENA’s Impact and Vision for the Future
In this Q&A, the Building Safety Journal talked to Mohamed Ahmed Amer, Regional Director of Operations, to explore the significant progress the Code Council’s Middle East and North Africa (ICC MENA) office has made over the past four years.
Read the article here.
Empowering Women: 3 Trends That Are Shaping the Future of the Building Safety Industry
In celebration of Women in Construction Week, we examined the industry trends driving a significant rise in women entering the field, enriching it with diverse perspectives and expertise.
Read the article here.
How the One Water Movement Made Blue Hole Primary School a Leader in Water Reuse
The One Water movement takes a holistic approach to water management, promoting the sustainable integration of all water resources. To explore this innovative approach in action, we spoke with leaders from Wimberley, Texas—home to the renowned Blue Hole Primary School, a standout example of a One Water community.
Read the article here.
How Building Codes Are Being Updated and Driving Development After the Surfside Condo Collapse
This article highlights the critical role of building codes in ensuring safety and stability in construction while reflecting on the Surfside Condo Collapse as a reminder of their importance. It details Miami-Dade County’s swift updates to recertification and inspection requirements, Florida’s leadership in building safety, and ongoing advancements in code development and enforcement.
Read the article here.
5 Ways to Get Promoted in a Career in Building Safety
The path to a prosperous building safety career begins with the insights of those who came before you. In this article we spoke to six building safety professionals about their career progression and found that there are multiple ways to advance through the ranks.
Read the article here.
Hurricane Ian in Florida: A Mitigation Success Story for Building Codes
In this article, we discuss how following Hurricane Ian, FEMA sent experts from its Building Science Disaster Support Program to Florida to assess the performance of buildings, structures and community lifelines and what they found.
Read the article here.
The Value of Building Code Inspections and Home Inspections in Safeguarding Your Home, Part 2
In Part 2 of our two-part series, the Building Safety Journal looks at the importance of home inspections and why they shouldn’t be skipped.
Read the article here.
Understanding ICC 605, Standard for Residential Construction in Regions with Wildfire Hazards
This article highlights the development of ICC Standard 605, a new hazard mitigation standard by the International Code Council in partnership with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, focused on enhancing residential construction resilience in wildfire-prone areas.
Read the article here.
Architects Used the International Existing Building Code to Bring Michigan Central Back to its Former Glory
After three decades of deterioration, Michigan Central was brought back to its former glory with the help of the Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing Buildings, which is based on the International Existing Building Code®.
Read the article here.
The Future of Refrigerants: Understanding the DOEs Efforts to Meet White House Climate Change Goals
Based on the lessons learned from the industry transition from HFCs to A2Ls, the U.S. Department of Energy has taken steps to fast track the determination of how to make the transition to more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
Read the article here.
From the Field: 14 More Things Code Inspectors Wish Homeowners Knew
Code inspectors and local building departments can be valuable resources to homeowners who are looking to ensure that all building codes and safety regulations are being followed. We spoke with industry professionals to hear what they wish homeowners knew.
Read the article here.
Joint Study Examines the Influence of Building Codes on Mortgage Delinquency After Hurricanes
This article emphasizes the importance of adopting modern building codes, like the International Building Code® (IBC) and International Residential Code® (IRC), to mitigate the physical and financial impacts of hurricanes, as shown in a study by the IBHS and CoreLogic.
Read the article here.
Three Decades of Excellence: The Code Council Launches Year-Long Celebration Marking 30 Years of Building Safety and Innovation
The Code Council celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, marking three decades of advancing safety and innovation in the built environment. To honor this milestone, the organization launched an interactive website, organized an exhibit for the 2024 Annual Conference and invited members to contribute reflections and messages throughout the year.
Read the article here.
An honorable mention, the ICC Pulse Podcast sat down with three influential leaders in the building safety industry to explore the history of the Code Council, advice for growth and success in the industry and the evolving landscape of building safety. Read the article here.
The Building Safety Journal (BSJ) Weekly is a weekly newsletter from the International Code Council that covers the latest news on the building safety and construction sectors. It offers everything from in-depth technical articles about innovative technologies to quick tips, personal perspectives and more. Click here to subscribe.
About the Author
The International Code Council is a nonprofit association that provides a wide range of building safety solutions, including product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification and training. It develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.
