May Is Building Safety Month

This May marks the 45^th consecutive year that the International Code Council, an international non-profit that develops building codes and standards, has put forth its Building Safety campaign. Per the campaign’s website, the event was first created in response to a series of preventable tragedies, including the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire in Southgate, Kentucky. The deadly blaze claimed 165 lives, making it the third-deadliest fire in American history. Investigators concluded that the disaster could have been averted had officials properly enforced building safety codes.

For the first three decades after its creation, the International Code Council hosted Building Safety Week. Then, in 2010, the organization opted to extend its tradition from campaigning for one week to one month. This year’s campaign theme is “Game On!” and includes special themes for each week.

Week 1 (May 1-3): The Warm Up

For the first week, the campaign’s main focus is to tackle the question of “what exactly is building safety”? Building safety has to do with the places we live, work, and play in. Here are some basic, easy-to-remember points on what building safety is and why it is so important:

• There are many components of building safety, like buildings, fire, plumbing/mechanical/fuel gas/pools/spas, electrical, renovations, operations and maintenance, construction, permitting, energy and sustainability, planning and development, and more
• Building codes are some of society’s best ways to protect homes, offices, manufacturing facilities, schools, hospitals, stores, and entertainment venues from hazards such as fires, weather-related events, and structural collapse

Week 2 (May 4-10): Build Your Offense

The campaign’s second week focuses on how useful it is to be the change you want to see in your community, or in other words, being on the offensive. According to the International Code Council, some of the best ways to get involved in advocating for building safety in your community include:

• Share news releases with your local news publications, radio stations, and television networks to encourage local media to cover stories relating to building safety
• Share any building safety concerns you have with your public information officer, city manager, or mayor
• Plan community events to raise awareness or attend local events addressing building safety
• Contact code officials in your area to learn more

Week 3 (May 11-17): Build Your Defense

Being cautious and prepared are some of the best lines of defense in case an emergency does happen. As part of Building Safety Month’s third week, “Build Your Defense”, observe the following safety tips:

• Develop and regularly practice a fire escape plan
• Keep hallways clear from obstructions, and do not block or obstruct emergency exit windows and doors
• Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. Test smoke alarms regularly and replace batteries annually
• Never overload electrical cords or power strips. Do not use appliances with damaged cords
• Keep all items that can burn away from your home, clean leaves from gutters, and clear dead leaves and branches from shrubs and trees
• Make sure all pedestrian gates in the barrier fence for your pool or spa area are self-closing and self-latching. Other gates should also be equipped with locking devices and should be kept locked at all times

Week 4 (May 18-24): The Starting Lineup

Week 4 focuses on building safety’s starting lineup – building safety professionals. What role do these professionals play in promoting and ensuring building safety? They:

• Include building inspectors, building officials, plan examiners, permit technicians, fire marshals, and more
• Train constantly to keep up with the latest codes and standards
• Enforce code compliance to empower and educate partners to embrace and integrate safety standards in their work
• Ensure that buildings are constructed to withstand the stress of everyday use
• Perform safety checks that protect your home from emergencies before fire, flood, or disaster strikes

Week 5 (May 25-31): Going Into Overtime

Maintaining and promoting building safety never stops, so it is critical to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies. The campaign’s final week emphasizes a few hot topics in the building safety industry, such as:

• Artificial intelligence. AI is becoming more commonplace in the building safety industry, providing professionals with enhanced tools to comprehensively assess data, improve processes, and enhance overall safety measures
• Building codes. The International Code Council reports that adopting and following hazard-resistant building codes is one of the most cost-effective ways to safeguard our homes and communities against disaster
• Global emissions reduction and resilience. The Buildings Breakthrough campaign, supported by the International Code Council, helps support governments internationally in achieving near-zero emission and resilient buildings by 2030

When to Contact an Attorney?

Though the laws vary state-by-state, property owners in Pennsylvania are legally obligated to maintain their grounds, which include buildings and other types of structures. Under the law, these property owners have a duty of care for anyone who enters the premises. To fulfill this duty, property owners must make reasonable efforts to keep their property grounds free from recognized and potential hazards.

Despite their obligations, avoidable accidents still happen. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident that resulted from dangerous conditions on someone else’s property, someone at our firm can help. To learn more, contact a representative online now.

Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

Contact the Philadelphia premises liability attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.