View Previous Building Safety Month Week 3 Information:
2023 Preparing Our Community
Building safety is important to protecting our homes, visitors and community from emergency events and disasters. Buidling codes help our community implement minimum standards to protect against and limit damage from natural disasters such as flooding, tornado, earthquakes and storms as well as emergencies such as fires and security events.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), one of the most cost-effective ways to safeguard our citizens and our communities against disasters is to adopt and follow hazard-resistant building codes. When adopted and enforced, building codes can save lives, save billions of dollars and protect property for generations to come. Since 1980, the average number of billion-dollar disasters has been six per year, but from 2016 to 2018, the number jumped to 15 per year.
Resiliency:Building resilience into codes and regulations helps create a more sustainable environment and can limit potential damage due to disasters and natural events. Elements to strengthen resiliency are included in the residential, commercial, property maintenance and energy codes adopted by the City. Efforts are on-going to increase sustainability and innovation provisions in other areas of our codes including strategic planning, zoning regulations and architectural guidelines.
Disaster Preparedness: As the number of severe storm events per year has increased, the importance of preparing for potential disasters has increased as well. Depending on the type of event, the necessary response and safety measures may differ. Sometimes there is little to no warning of storm events, so it is important to discuss and plan measure for various scenarios.
The US Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency have partnered to create a website with information to help homeowners and individuals prepare for disasters. Guides for ready kits, planning, and other resources are available to assist you. Visit the site today: Ready.gov
The International Code Council has curated websites to specifically provide information and resources related to different safety events. Detailed guidebooks, toolkits, and education information has been gathered to support the preparation efforts of individuals and businesses. Check out more below:
Develop a family action and communication plan so you will know where to go and how to reach each other if an evacuation order is called.
Review at least two exit routes from your home, neighborhood or work to a designated meeting place.
Create a disaster supply kit that would allow you to remain in your home or work or to support evacuation. Be sure the necessities in your kit are fresh and restored as needed.
Stay tuned to radio, TV and NOAA Weather Radio for official updates and critical lifesaving information.
Flooded roads could have significant dangers hidden by floodwaters. Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet and two feet of water to move an SUV-sized vehicle.
Secure lawn furniture and any other loose outdoor items that can become windborne and can cause injury or damage during storms with high winds. Don’t forget trash cans, grills, toys and potted plants.
Consider building or retrofitting to create a tornado safe room in your home. Follow ICC/NSSA 500
Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters for detailed construction information and to ensure you achieve the highest level of protection for your family.
Use Surge Protective Devices (SPD) in your home to protect electronic appliances from all but the most severe electrical surges or direct strikes.
Before winter sets in consider freeze protection for water piping and exterior faucets.
If you live in a high wind or hurricane prone area and do not have tested and code approved shutters for protection from windborne debris, consider temporarily protecting your doors and windows by mounting exterior grade, 7/16" minimum thickness plywood and fastening it into place.
Hazard Mitigation: Hazard mitigation is a defensive approach that reduces long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. According to Climate.gov, the impacts of climate-related hazards are already occurring, and they are projected to worsen in many regions around the world. FEMA estimates that for every $1 spent on mitigation efforts, $4 are saved from future losses. There are many options for protecting your home and property from flood and wind events through mitigation. Makes sure to consult with a licensed contractor and/or licensed design professional to understand code requirements and permit requirements prior to starting work.
5 Tips to consider before the next hazardous event:
Visit Climate.gov to check how your exposure to five common climate-related hazards is projected to change over time.
For earthquakes, start by anchoring or relocating top-heavy or large objects, securing fixtures, electronics and water heaters, keeping a clear path to the exit and latching your cabinets.
For flooding, store valuables in waterproof containers, floodproof basements, elevate utilities above the BFE, install flood vents and use flood-resistant insulation and drywall.
For severe winds from tornados or hurricanes, protect windows and glass doors with storm shutters, reinforce garage doors, fortify your roof and remove rotting trees and limbs.
Consider installation of a generator that will automatically turn on when the power goes out. If you install one, elevate it to mitigate flooding impacts.
8 Mitigation Options for Flooding:
Anywhere it rains, it can flood. Identify areas where water might flow towards your home, such as down a driveway or walkway or into a basement window well and work with a trained professional to mitigate the risk.
Install gutter extensions or pop-up emitters to guide water away from your home and into a pervious area or garden.
Elevate or floodproof HVAC and/or mechanical units, ductwork, electrical systems, and other
utilities above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to protect against flood damage and reduce repair costs.
Install flood vents in foundation walls, garages, and other enclosed areas. Flood vents reduce
flood damage by allowing water to flow through and drain out.
Use flood-resistant materials in areas of your home below the BFE, like replacing carpeting with
tiles or using flood-resistant insulation and gypsum wallboard (Sheetrock), to prevent water from
doing major damage.
Anchor any fuel tanks to the floor and make sure vents and fill line openings are above the BFE
(this may require permission from your fuel provider). A fuel tank can tip over or float in a flood,
spilling fuel and becoming a fire hazard.
Install a backflow valve on your sewer system to prevent sewage back up in your home.
Add waterproof veneer to exterior walls to prevent shallow flooding from damaging your home.
Seal your basement walls with waterproofing compounds.
5 Mitigation Options for High Wind:
Install hurricane shutters to protect windows and glass doors.
Gable end roofs are more susceptible to high wind than other roof types. If you have a gable end roof, add bracings to reinforce the roof.
Consider fastening the roof to the walls with hurricane straps.
Reinforce garage doors and double-entry doors to prevent failure under wind pressure. Garage doors can be reinforced with girts and by strengthening the glider wheel tracks. Double-entry doors can be reinforced with a heavy-duty dead bolt, adding slide bolts on one of the doors, and using longer hinge attachments on the door and frame.
Maintain your property. Anything from loose shingles to trees can become a windborne missile. The distance between your home and any tree should be greater than a full-grown tree’s height.
