Important Tips on Disaster Safety from the International Code Council for Commercial and Property Managers

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

May is National Building Safety Month. Building Safety Month is an opportunity to education insurance and commercial property professionals as well as the general public on “what it takes to create safe, resilient, affordable and energy efficient homes and buildings,” according to the ICC website. The theme for  this week is managing natural disasters!

Here are some life and property saving tips on Disaster Safety and Mitigation from the ICC!

• If you live in a high wind or hurricane prone area and do not have tested and code approved shutters for protection from windborne debris, consider temporarily protecting your doors and windows by mounting with exterior grade 7/16" minimum thickness plywood and fastening it into place. Go to http://flash.org/peril_inside.php?id=108 to learn how.
• Consider buidling or retrofitting to create a tornado safe room in your business. Follow ICC/NSSA 500 standard for detailed construction information and how to achieve the highest level of protection for your business or tenants.
• In Wildfire prone areas, remove fine (dead grass, leaves, etc.) within 30 feet of a building to create a survivable space in case of a wildfire. Be sure to remove dry leaf and pine litters from roofs, rain gutters, decks and walkways.
• Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by flood waters. Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. Remember it only takes 6 inches of water to sweep you off your feet and 2 feet to move an SUV sized vehicle.