Month of Outreach Highlights Importance of Building Safety Codes

May is Building Safety Month, and this year’s theme is “Code Officials — Community Safety and Economic Growth.”

“Building Safety Month is a public awareness campaign to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures,” according to the International Code Council, which founded the monthlong outreach program. “The [2017] campaign reinforces the need for adoption of modern, model building codes, a strong and efficient system of code enforcement and a well-trained, professional workforce to maintain the system.”

Most U.S. communities, including Maryland and the City of Rockville, have adopted and enforce ICC codes and standards.

Each week of May is dedicated to a different aspect of building safety:

• May 1-7: Mentoring the Next Generation of Building Professionals.
• May 8-14: Building Design Solutions for All Ages.
• May 15-21: Manage the Damage – Preparing for Natural Disasters.
• May 22-28: Investing in Technology for Safety, Energy and Water Efficiency.

Rockville’s Inspection Services Division plans to attend and take part in training and outreach to various groups and organizations throughout the community to raise the level of overall building safety awareness.

“Building Safety Month is a great platform and opportunity to highlight this important awareness to all stakeholders as an outreach effort,” Chief of Inspection Services Robbie Sabbakhan said.

Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/inspectionservices to learn more about the Inspection Services Division, and www.buildingsafetymonth.org for information on Building Safety Month.