May will be Building Safety Month in Michigan

Governor Rick Snyder declared May 2012 as Building Safety Month in Michigan on Friday. The theme of the month-long observance is “An International Celebration of Safe and Sensible Structures” with a focus on energy and green building, disaster safety and mitigation, fire safety and awareness, and backyard safety.

“Public safety is our number one concern,” said Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Director Steven H. Hilfinger.  “The intent of Building Safety Month is to increase public understanding of the importance of building safety and the resources available for protecting lives and property.”

When you enter a house or building, you most likely assume that it was properly constructed and safe.  The importance of regulating and enforcing construction codes is often overlooked until a tragedy occurs.  Fortunately, building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, builders, engineers, contractors, and others in the construction industry, work hard to ensure building safety and fire prevention every day.

“Building code regulations in Michigan ensure that homes, schools, workplaces, and other buildings are as safe as possible,” said Bureau of Construction Codes Director Irvin J. Poke.  “Codes address all aspects of construction including structural integrity; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems; and fire prevention, as well as manufactured home construction.”

First observed in 1980 as Building Safety Week, Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention, and energy efficiency. The International Code Council develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools.  Most U.S. cities, counties, and states use the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.

LARA’s Bureau of Construction Codes and Bureau of Fire Services work as a team to ensure that the built environment and the systems within are sound, safe, and sanitary; the public’s health, safety, and welfare is protected; and that, through a coordinated program of code compliance, investigation, and training, there is consistent application of standards