Prospective homebuyers rarely question whether a natural disaster will hit their homes, yet last year became the worst fire season in U.S. history and more than a dozen severe weather storms created $1 billion in damages, according to CNBC. One research physical fire scientist says the problem is not a wildfire control one, but a structure ignition one. He advocates for homes to be constructed with nonflammable materials and that no materials between homes can set fire via embers. His research on home ignition zones and home readiness are backed by the National Fire Protection Association and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA has a financial incentive in protecting America’s homes and encouraging local groups to follow the building codes set by the International Code Council.
Acting U.S. Fire Administration chief Tonya Hoover said the approximately 2,000 communities that have adopted the council’s building codes have saved the U.S. an average of $1.6 billion in annualized losses from flooding, hurricanes and earthquakes.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Resilient Construction
Navigating Flood-Resilience Standards Without Compromising Affordability
NAHB Policy Briefing: Flood-resilience standards; townhouse market share data
Codes + Standards
Public Comment Period Opens for National Green Building Standard Updates
The 45-day public comment period for draft 2 of the 2024 NGBS begins on April 12, 2024
Resilient Construction
US Counties Most Vulnerable to Extreme Winter Weather in 2024
When it comes to extreme winter weather events, Midwestern counties bear the brunt and suffer the greatest associated financial losses