Opening Statement:
We have been celebrating Building Safety Awareness Week for 41 years around the globe. This week stands as an international campaign to help raise awareness about the importance of the safety of buildings by implementing and abiding by safety codes to keep the public safe. It is observed globally and is promoted by the International Code Council, its 64,000 members, alongside professionals from building, design, safety communities, governments, and corporations. They all have a common goal to promote building safety and to do so through events, briefings, and much more.
History Of Building Safety Week
· Building Safety Week stresses the importance of occupying safe buildings as the general-public lives, works, or plays there. Having buildings that are not up to standard would lead to losing lives, property, and finances. This could have a ripple effect on other things as well. The implementation of building codes can be traced as far back as 2000 B.C., during the reign of Hammurabi, the founder of the ever-popular Babylonian empire, which was known for its magnificent structure.
· The U.S. first established building codes in 1625 to address fire safety and specific materials as coverings for roofs which were an issue with rampant fire outbreaks. By 1630, Boston scrapped the use of chimneys made from wood and roof coverings made of thatch in a bid to curb fire outbreaks as well. This led to in year 1788 being the year that saw the first formal building code written in the U.S., in Salem to be precise, a place known for its fires. More Cities followed suit to establish building codes in the early 1800s. New Orleans became the first city in 1865 to enact a law that required the inspection of public places.
· Plumbing regulations became more prominent in 1880, and elevator and hoist regulations in 1883. Steel frames soon emerged in that decade and paved the way for tall buildings and skyscrapers. The 2024 campaign theme is “Mission Possible” and includes special weekly themes of an introduction of building safety, what Building Safety Week is, and how building safety affects us all.
How To Observe Building Safety Week
· Generate More Awareness
Spread the word on Building Safety Week, so the public knows more about it. When the public learns more about laws guiding their safety, they will take their safety seriously.
· Educate Others
Educate others on simple ways they can keep their home and offices safe. Fire drill measures always help people stay prepared for such a situation.
· Start A Social Media Campaign
Start or join a social media campaign to get more people to understand how important Building Safety Week is. This helps to generate more awareness and education online.
Important Home Safety Tips
1. Develop A Family Plan
If an evacuation is ever needed, a family plan that lets everyone know where to go should be in place.
2. Create A Disaster Supply Kit
Creating a disaster supply kit will allow you to remain protected in your home after a disaster or for use after evacuating to a safer location.
3. Stay Tuned to Radio
Stay tuned to the Radio and T.V. for official updates on critical weather information.
4. Use Surge Protective Devices
Use Surge Protective Devices (S.P.D.) to protect electronic appliances from electrical surges in your home.
5. Create A Tornado Safe Room
Build a tornado-safe room in your home to get the highest level of protection for you and your family against tornados.
Why Building Safety Week Is Important
· It Spreads Awareness
Building Safety Week spreads awareness of the importance of following the regulations concerning building safety. In addition, people get to know about building codes, which they probably would not have delved into.
· It Reduces Financial Loss
Financial losses like building collapse are significantly reduced when people are educated on building safety. This helps a building owner to save more money.
· It Saves Lives
The knowledge of building safety codes by everyone helps to save lives. Electrical wiring, flood prevention, and a host of other measures that can lead to loss of lives would be catered for better if not done well.
Closing Statement and Recap:
This annual event in which people, companies, and even competitors, work together and celebrate the incredible hard work by people in this industry who make safety the foundation of everything they do. The different types of buildings are residential buildings, buildings designed for the disabled, low-income housing, affordable housing, educational, business, and institutional buildings. The purpose of a building and its primary function is to provide structurally sound and environmentally controlled spaces to house and protect occupants and contents. The other important fact I learned while doing my research was, this awareness educated me that it was in 1915, the First National Building Code Is Written and the Building Office and Code Administration (B.O.C.A.) was formed to develop the U.S.’s first national building code. I’m hoping the future will bring additional safety and accessible designs to make life easier and adaptable for people with various disabilities and the elderly.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!