The International Code Council announced that “Building Codes Save Lives” will be the theme of the 38th annual Building Safety Month. In May, Building Safety Month will have an international campaign to raise awareness about building safety and the importance of current safety codes and the role code officials play in creating safe, sustainable structures communities can count on for generations.

The ICC and its 64,000 members and other partners from the industry will come together with corporations, government agencies, professional associations and nonprofits to promote building safety through proclamations, informational events, legislative briefings and more.

The weekly themes for the Building Safety Month are:

∎ Week One (May 1-5): Partnering with Code Officials to Build Stronger, Safer Communities;
∎ Week Two (May 6-12): Advancing Resilient Communities Through Science & Technology;
∎ Week Three (May 13-19): Protecting Communities from Disasters;
∎ Week Four (May 20-26): Safeguarding Our Water; and
∎ Week Five (May 27-31): Improving Education & Training Standards for a Safer Tomorrow.

“Building Safety Month brings attention to issues that are not regularly considered unless disaster strikes,” ICC CEO Dominic Sims said. “Modern codes and standards incorporate the latest technology and provide the safest, most resilient structures for our families and communities to protect against building failures, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, high-rise fires and other modern-day disasters. Building codes really do save lives.”

ICC Board President Jay Elbettar, P.E., added: “The Code Council, in partnership with our members and stakeholders, works hard year-round to ensure that we work, live and play in strong, safe buildings. Through Building Safety Month activities, we recognize the dedication of our code officials and celebrate the fact that the International Codes result in the highest level of building safety in the industrial world.”