Scientific American opinion piece calls on building codes to ‘save money and lives’

2023-09-06T10:43:00-04:00

Scientific American has published an opinion piece by the publication’s editors, highlighting the role of building codes in saving “money and lives.” Citing the growing number of “multibillion-dollar disasters” striking the United States, the opinion piece makes the argument that buildings built to meet or surpass stricter building codes have demonstrated more resiliency than buildings built before such codes were introduced.

In setting out its case, the piece looks to the model standards set by the International Code Council, which are updated every three years in response to testing of building methods, surveys conducted after disasters, and other research. The editors cite a 2018 Land Economics study that found that houses built after Florida adopted statewide codes based on the ICC’s model say 72% fewer insured losses from wind-related damage, while a separate FEMA/National Institute of Building Sciences report found that for every $1 spent on conforming to the 2018 ICC code, $1...

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Scientific American opinion piece calls on building codes to ‘save money and lives’