May Declared Building Safety Month in Tennessee

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has declared May 2017 as Building Safety Month to raise awareness among Tennesseans about the importance of local code officials and building safety in communities across the Volunteer State.

Founded by the International Code Council (ICC), Building Safety Month is a public safety awareness campaign to help individuals, families, and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) promotes the annual campaign which 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.

“The State Fire Marshal’s Office proudly joins Governor Haslam in celebrating Building Safety Month during May,” said State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “Buildings that are built in compliance with safety codes result in resilient structures that minimize the risks of death, injury and property damage. Our building safety and fire prevention experts work closely with members of the construction industry trades to provide maximum public safety.”

Regardless of the department where code officials may work — building, fire, planning or elsewhere — they work hard every day to provide public safety by ensuring buildings are constructed properly. Because resilient structures minimize the risk of property damage, property owners may pay lower insurance costs and millions of taxpayer dollars can be saved when rebuilding from natural disasters. 

When you enter a house or other type of building, you assume it is safely and properly constructed, and that it complies with state and local building codes. Building codes address all aspects of construction, from structural integrity to fire prevention, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency. Maintaining building safety requires the active participation of code officials, fire inspectors, architects, builders, engineers, contractors and others in the construction industry – as well as property owners.                                                                       

The theme for Building Safety Month 2017 is "Code Officials-Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth," which encourages all Americans to raise awareness of the importance of building safe and resilient construction; fire prevention; disaster mitigation, water safety and conservation; energy efficiency and new technologies in the construction industry.

“From schools to marinas, the State Fire Marshal’s Office’s inspectors assure code compliance which helps protect Tennessee residents of all walks of life,” said TDCI Deputy Commissioner Gary West. “Following the fire safety codes gives consumers valuable peace-of-mind that the buildings where they might work, recreate, or learn have necessary fire safety features.” 

For more information on Building Safety Month, visit the International Code Council’s website: https://www.iccsafe.org/.