Building Safety Month 2020: Safer Buildings, Safer Communities, Safer World

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the lives of millions of individuals across the globe, making safe buildings and resilient communities more essential now than ever before. Building Safety Month provides homeowners, public officials, and the public with the information needed to ensure the spaces where we live, work and learn are safe.

For the last 40 years, the International Code Council (ICC) has celebrated advances in the construction of safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient buildings and homes during Building Safety Month. Together with its 64,000 members and professionals in the building construction, design and safety communities, government agencies, professional associations and nonprofits, the ICC promotes Building Safety Month to raise awareness about the importance of building safety as well as to promote the critical role modern building codes have in creating safer and more resilient communities.

The ICC’s mission is “to provide the highest quality codes, standards, products and services for all concerned with the safety and performance of the built environment.” Staying within compliance of the ICC codes, as well as those developed by entities such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and local, county or state codes, while following risk management tips can help reduce unnecessary costs and accidents in the workplace.

The theme for Building Safety Month 2020 is “Safer Buildings, Safer Communities, Safer World.” With the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis changing the lives of millions of individuals across the globe, safe building and resilient communities are essential now more than ever. Homes have become offices, classrooms and gyms. And, after states reopen, public buildings will still be required to adhere to social distancing rules for the foreseeable future. Building Safety Month provides homeowners, public officials, and the public with the information needed to ensure the space where we live, work and learn is safe.

Although the coronavirus pandemic will be on our minds for a long time, it’s important to remember to prepare for other types of disasters that can devastate a community. Along with disaster preparedness, the goals of Building Safety Month include education on issues like water safety and sustainability. Additionally, looking towards the future with modern building codes and creating safe, reliable and healthy buildings by keeping the next generation of building safety professionals motivated is essential to the campaign.

Celebrating Building Safety Month 2020

Throughout May, each week of Building Safety Month focuses on a different initiative:

Week 1, May 1-10: Disaster Preparedness

Throughout week one, the ICC provides tips to help families prepare for natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, snowstorms, tornadoes and earthquakes. Planning for a natural disaster by utilizing the most up-to-date building codes helps increase the health and safety of a community, as well as protect the local tax base, ensure continuity of essential services and support a faster recovery.

Week 2, May 11-17: Water Safety

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 844 million people do not have access to a basic drinking-water service. The building code officials who protect our water supply allow us to have clean water through their dedicated service to implementing building, plumbing and green codes to guard this precious commodity.

Additionally, water conservation and efficiency initiatives, like the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense Program help consumers identify water-efficient products, helping Americans save 3.4 trillion gallons of water and more than $84.2 billion in water and energy bills.

During week two, the ICC also shares helpful information about swimming pools and backyard safety. Proper inspections and vigilant supervision can help families stay safe. The Code Council also provides safety solutions, technical resources and training for plumbing and swimming pool professionals.

Week 3, May 18-24: Resiliency. Sustainability. Innovation.

The ICC’s International Codes (I-Codes) are the most widely used set of building safety codes in the world, setting the standard for resilience and sustainability through the latest innovations in science and technology. Incorporating these innovations in building practices helps create a resilient nation, with the ability to prepare for, adapt and successfully recover from adverse events like natural disasters. Green building and sustainable construction strategies can also help provide resilience to natural disasters and other issues caused by unforeseen events. The 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) provides criteria that can be easily adapted to improve energy efficiency, conserve resources, enhance water safety, and deliver sustainable, resilient buildings.

Week 4, May 25-31: Training the Next Generation

Well-trained professionals are an integral component in creating and maintaining a successful built environment Training and education help code officials avoid mistakes and accidents and properly enforce the code. As the building industry is expected to see a decrease in 80% of the skilled workforce in the coming years, there’s no time like the present to welcome a new generation of job seekers to the building safety profession.

Building Safety Tips for the Workplace

There’s no doubt that so many of us are focused on slowing the spread of the coronavirus right now. However, managing risks that could lead to injuries or accidents in the workplace is still essential for businesses of all sizes.

With so many building codes to adhere to and new ones popping up all the time, you may wonder if your organization is “up to code” – and how to maintain compliance going forward. However, remember that proper risk management can help prevent accidents, injuries and fines for infractions that can cost thousands of dollars.

This Building Safety Month, here are a few tips that can help your organization both maintain code compliance, reduce the spread of COVID-19 and ensure workplace safety:

Properly clean and disinfect regulary. Clean surfaces using soap and water, including high touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, faucets, etc. Then, use a disinfectant to ensure these surfaces are free of germs.
Inspect walkways and parking lots. Check parking lots by looking for potholes, depressions and uneven walkways or wheel stops in parking spaces that need repairing. Provide proper marking for changes in elevation, parking stops and parking spaces.
Help prevent slips, trips and falls. Install non-slip stair treads or slip resistant stair coverings. Use caution markers for wet areas, and clean up any spills immediately to further decrease the risk of slips, trips and falls. Place rain mats at all entry points, and use non-slip mats for wet areas, such as around ice machines or sinks.
Provide proper lighting and means of egress. Make sure emergency lighting is installed and in good condition; create a testing program to ensure they are in working order at all times. All exit signs should be identified and illuminated with a clear, unobstructed path to the exit.
Review electrical components. Wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breakers installed, and these should be inspected regularly. Check electrical panels for missing breakers and covers, and establish a clear space of 36 inches around them.
Properly install railings and balusters. Guardrails should have a height of at least 42 inches, while balusters should not exceed four inches apart. Provide handrails for steps with four or more risers, and prevent climbing hazards by removing or protecting horizontal balusters.
Maintain alarms and detectors. All buildings should have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that are hardwired and have a battery backup. Implement a testing program to ensure they remain in good working condition throughout the year.
Check exterior fire escapes. If there are AC units blocking egress onto fire escapes, make sure to remove them. The ladder mechanism should be inspected for proper functioning, and verify that there is access to the street from the fire escape. Every five years, a complete inspection and test should be completed by a Registered Professional Engineer (RPE), to evaluate critical components, such as capacity, structural stability, tiebacks for corrosion or hidden defects.
Service and inspect fire sprinkler systems. Properly service and inspect fire sprinkler systems in accordance with all applicable regulations and standards. Keep inspection records on file and have the system monitored by a central station.
Create an emergency response plan. In the event of an emergency, it’s crucial to set up a response team and develop an evacuation plan. Designate a trusted individual to call 911 and direct first responders to the location.

Keep in mind that if you are planning to renovate your commercial property, you must obtain the proper permits first. Always hire qualified and insured contractors to maintain your property, and designate a manager within your organization to handle code compliance. This individual can also be responsible for conducting self-inspections to help identify issues before they arise. Additionally, remember that building codes can change over time, so be sure to familiarize yourself with your local codes.

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Commercial P&C Insurance

Commercial Office Space Set for a Strong Comeback

The sustained increase in demand for office space across the nation since late 2022 suggests that the market has moved past its lowest point, according to insights from the real estate technology platform, VTS. Demand for office space began to rise in late 2022 and continued into early 2023. Since then, the office market has experienced a period of stability and growth, supported by favorable economic factors, indicating a market rebound. This conclusion is drawn from the VTS Office Demand Index (VODI), which tracks unique new tenant tour requests for office properties in key U.S. markets. The VODI serves as an early indicator of future office leasing activity. According to the index, demand for office space has grown consistently over the past 12 months, closing the second quarter with a 17% year-over-year increase and a 34% rise from the VODI’s lowest point in December 2022. A significant shift in office-based employment patterns further supports the belief that demand for office space has stabilized. After reaching its peak in August 2022, office-based employment declined by 3.9% in early 2024. However, this trend has since stabilized, and employment growth has remained steady. Additionally, a recent decrease in work-from-home rates has fueled the renewed demand for office space. “They say you can only recognize a market bottom after it has passed, and the office space market is no exception. Following what we now see as the bottom, the national demand has gradually increased, though it remains susceptible to economic challenges,” said Nick Romito, CEO of VTS. “However, the growth observed in VODI over the past 18 months, coupled with positive trends in the office-using workforce, suggests that the market has reset, and the worst is behind us.” It’s important to note that this national trend does not impact all local markets equally. Cities like Los Angeles and New York City have seen healthy growth in office space demand, while markets such as San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have experienced prolonged stagnation. In Los Angeles, office space demand surged in the second quarter, briefly surpassing pre-COVID levels, driven by an increase in the average size of office spaces sought by tenants. New York City followed a similar overall pattern, though with some softness in the second quarter. Conversely, San Francisco’s demand for office space remains unpredictable, largely due to its tech-focused workforce, which continues to favor remote work more than other industries. “Markets heavily dependent on the tech sector, like San Francisco and Seattle, are on a markedly different post-COVID recovery path compared to more diversified markets like Los Angeles and New York City. It may take some time before we see office demand in San Francisco and Seattle return to pre-COVID levels,” added Ryan Masiello, Chief Strategy Officer at VTS.

Cyber Liability

Global IT Outage Puts Business Interruption Insurance in the Spotlight

In July, a global IT outage had a significant impact on business interruption insurance policies, overshadowing the effects on cyber insurance coverages. “This incident wasn’t a result of a malicious attack, which is why typical cyber insurance policies may not have been activated,” explained Peter McMurtrie, a partner in West Monroe’s insurance sector, in an interview with PropertyCasualty360.com. “Where coverage was applicable, factors like deductible amounts, waiting periods, and coverage limits played a critical role in determining the extent of exposure,” McMurtrie noted. “Standard policies for small businesses were less likely to offer coverage, while more complex policies for mid-sized companies and Fortune 500 corporations may have included broader triggers for non-malicious outages caused by third-party software issues.” The outage was triggered by a software update on July 19, 2024, by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which affected organizations worldwide using Microsoft Windows. This interruption had far-reaching consequences, including disrupting hospital systems, media outlets, financial institutions, delaying thousands of flights, and halting daily business operations. McMurtrie emphasized that while the initial impact of the outage was similar for both large and small businesses, the ability to recover operations and whether insurance covered the loss of business income varied. “Larger companies are more likely to have advanced disaster recovery plans that ensure service redundancy following unexpected outages,” he added. “Their insurance programs also tend to cover a wider range of incidents.” According to Microsoft, the CrowdStrike update error affected over 8.5 million Windows devices globally. The incident highlighted the interconnected nature of our global ecosystem, including cloud providers, software platforms, security services, and their clients. “It’s a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safe deployment and disaster recovery across the tech industry,” the company said in a blog post. McMurtrie pointed out that the outage’s widespread impact was largely due to its effect on organizations that are critical to societal infrastructure—sectors like agriculture, airlines, banking, energy, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. “Insurance companies base their risk appetite on their ability to understand and price risks appropriately. This becomes increasingly challenging with emerging threats,” he said. “However, I anticipate that insurers will respond by clarifying policy language, refining risk selection criteria, and possibly developing new products specifically designed for this evolving exposure.”

Building Safety Month 2020: Safer Buildings, Safer Communities, Safer World