Building Safety Month is a campaign led by the International Code Council (ICC) along with its members and partners to raise awareness for building codes and the role of building safety professionals in maintaining safe, sustainable and resilient communities. The 2021 campaign began May 3 with the theme, "Prevent, Prepare, Protect. Building Codes Save."

The first week focused on energy codes and standards and their importance in raising energy efficiency and redacting greenhouse gases. Model building energy codes, such as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), will save homeowners and businesses a projected $126 billion in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Learn about the Code Council’s energy efficiency initiatives at www.iccsafe.org/energy.Source: Pixabay

The month continues with a different critical building safety theme each week: Training the Next Generation (week 2), Water Safety (week 3) and Disaster Preparedness (week 4). Free virtual educational sessions are available.

International Energy Conservation Code: 2021 Changes, Getting Involved in the 2024 Process, cohosted by ICC, AMCA and RESNET, shares information on the significant changes in the 2021 IECC and background on the 2024 IECC development process.

During the Meet the ICC Membership Councils webinar on May 14, representatives from all six councils will discuss their membership, role and opportunities for participation.

Codes and Standards, How Are They Different and How are Codes Developed?, provides an overview of the codes and standards development process.

On May 13, the Building Safety Month Speed Networking event connects industry peers.

Hot Water Safety is a panel discussion with chief plumbing inspectors about 2021 plumbing code changes and hot water safety topics.

"The forty-one years of momentous Building Safety Month celebrations are a direct result of the dedication and passion of Code Council members and building safety professionals," said ICC Board President Greg Wheeler, CBO. "We are proud to see industry professionals going above and beyond to spread awareness about building safety through hosting virtual events, engaging in social media, and sharing resources with their communities. This voluntary effort speaks to the heroic roles our building safety professionals continue to hold, keeping their communities safe during the pandemic and ensuring a resilient future."

View the proclamation for National Building Safety Month here.

"The Code Council's Building Safety month provides the opportunity to showcase the benefits of ICC membership, the I-Codes themselves, the open process for developing those codes, the collaborative efforts of the many different stakeholders working together with ICC and recognition of the code officials who are responsible for enforcing those codes," said Jim Ranfone, American Gas Association (AGA) managing director of building codes and standards. AGA is the 2021 Building Safety Month campaign foundation sponsor.

More information about Building Safety Month, including details regarding virtual events and downloadable resources, can be found at www.buildingsafetymonth.org.