“Fire sprinklers are a proven, cost-effective way to protect life and property,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS president & CEO. “Eliminating the building code requirement to install fire sprinklers in new homes is a serious and potentially very harmful decision that could place the lives of many Florida families and firefighters in grave danger.”

If successful, legislation under consideration in the Florida House would prohibit the Florida  Building Commission from adopting national code provisions contained in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) that require installation of automatic sprinklers in townhomes and one- and two-family dwellings. The Florida Building Commission is currently accepting proposed changes to the 2009 IRC for consideration later this year. The 2009 IRC serves as the base document for the 2010 edition of the Florida Residential Code.

While the life safety benefits of sprinklers are undisputed as the result of several high quality studies, some con­cerns continue to be raised about cost, maintenance, and poten­tial losses to property caused by failures or inadvertent activa­tion of sprinklers.

“It is important that people understand that today’s home sprinkler systems are not what you may remember from childhood at school, where someone could set off one sprinkler head and soak the whole building,” Rochman stated. “There have been significant technological advancements. Today’s automatic residential fire sprinklers are designed to react to a fire much faster than standard commercial systems.”

Among the key fea­tures of today’s sprinklers are:

• Each fire sprinkler head has a temperature-sensitive element that causes it (rather than the entire system) to activate when temperatures reach 135 degrees to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Sprinklers only operate in response to the heat of fire; they do not respond to smoke or vapors.

• Because sprinklers operate individually, only the sprinkler(s) over the fire will activate. While they are primarily intended to control the fire long enough to allow occupants to escape, they often help reduce the extent of damage and property loss.

• When a fire starts, the heat from the fire activates the sprin­kler closest to the fire, limiting fire growth. In some instanc­es, sprinklers will actually put out the fire before firefighters arrive. By limiting or stopping fire growth, further property damage, including that caused by streams of high-pressure water from fire department hoses, also is prevented.

Stand-alone sprinkler systems use a dedicated water supply held in place by check valves. While they may require some type of annual maintenance by a professional if they incorporate a testable backflow device, routine maintenance can be done by the homeowner.

Reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems recently were studied by the National Fire Protection Association in the report, U.S. Experience with Sprinklers and Other Automatic Fire Extinguishing Equipment. Core findings from that January 2009 study include:

• Sprinklers operated effectively in 91 percent of all reported structure fires when the sprinkler system was present in the area where the fire was burning, and when the fire was large enough to activate the sprinkler system.

• The primary reason sprinklers were ineffective was insuffi­cient water supply to the area affected by the fire.

• The most common reason for sprinkler system failure was that the system had been shut off prior to fire ignition.

For more information about residential sprinklers, see the Residential Fire Sprinklers report posted on IBHS’ web site at www.DisasterSafety.org: this paper examines a variety of issues around home sprinkler installation and use.

“When it comes to residential sprinklers, the marginal costs of installation seem well worth the tremendous benefits that can be achieved by greatly increasing life safety for families and firefighter. These provisions were extensively debated over many years, and research and real world usage in homes across the country prove that the decision to add sprinklers to the residential code was a good one. It would be a shame to see Florida move away from safer homes,” Rochman concluded.”

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Ms. Love brings with her nearly 20 years experience in media relations, public relations and communications.  Love comes to IBHS from the South Carolina Insurance News Service, where she served as Executive Director for the past 14 years. 

Ms. Love’s primary responsibility is to expand public awareness of IBHS' new disaster safety Research Center in Chester County, South Carolina. Unique in all the world, the lab will have the ability to subject full-sized, 2,000 square foot homes, light commercial construction and agricultural buildings to a variety of hazards, including realistic Category 3 hurricanes, hailstorms and wind-blown fire (mimicking wildfire embers).

Construction of the IBHS Research Center will be completed later this spring. The purpose of this world-class, multi-peril research facility, funded entirely by the property insurance industry, is to identify effective methods of minimizing risk and loss to homes, businesses, and communities resulting from natural disasters. 

“This research facility represents a quantum leap forward for building science,” notes Julie Rochman, IBHS President and CEO. “Allison will play an important role in communicating the results of our vital research to the media and consumers. Allison's extensive media relations experience, along with her knowledge of insurance, will be great assets to us and the various audiences we serve.”

IBHS will use the new lab to recreate a variety of realistic natural catastrophes in a very controlled, repeatable environment. They will identify and evaluate various building material, construction techniques and systems. “We will use objective data to improve the ways that residential and commercial properties are designed and built for generations to come" stated Rochman.

All IBHS research will be made publicly available, so consumers and builders will know which products and systems provide the best protection against wind, hail, water and fire. This will be done by creation of written reports, and via high-speed, high-definition video of the tests that will be shared with media and on the Web. 

Ms. Love graduated with a master of business administration degree from The Citadel, where she has served on the Board of Visitors for the past 13 years. She has a bachelor of business administration degree from Middle Tennessee State University. She also has received the Associate in Personal Insurance (API) designation.

For more information on the IBHS Research Center and to view a Web camera installed at the construction site, link to http://www.disastersafety.org/.

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IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

“The IBHS strongly supports DHS/FEMA and HUD’s efforts to strengthen our nation’s disaster recovery capability,” said Debra Ballen, IBHS General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Public Policy.  “The IBHS is aligned with the significant themes and recommendations that are outlined in the draft framework.”

IBHS’ comments focused on several critical aspects of the property loss reduction planning process that are discussed in conceptual but not specific manner.  “We believe the framework document would be stronger if additional references to critical property loss reduction initiatives are included in the applicable text,” Ballen said.  Those initiatives include:

·      The State Government Pre-Disaster Checklist should specifically reference the need for strong, mandatory statewide building codes that prevent local jurisdictions from opting out of specific code provisions or enforcement responsibilities.

·      Code-plus or superior construction should be identified as a property loss reduction goal for individuals, businesses and local/state governments.

·      Be more specific about the range of federal legislative initiatives that can enhance disaster preparation or response.

·      Coordinate the National Disaster Recovery Framework with the PS-PREP program (a voluntary private sector preparedness initiative also developed by FEMA/DHS).

“We appreciate the opportunity to offer comments on the draft National Disaster Recovery Framework,” Ballen said, “and we look forward to supporting this and other efforts to integrate mitigation and disaster planning into every aspect of community development.”

To learn more about the specific property loss reduction initiatives suggested by IBHS, please contact Joseph King, Media Relations Manager at (813) 675-1045 (o) / (813) 442-2845 (c) or jking@ibhs.org to arrange an interview with Debra Ballen.

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IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

While most Americans believe earthquakes are a catastrophe that primarily strikes California, there are major fault lines located in numerous other areas around the United States.

Julie Rochman, president and CEO of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), warns that a high severity earthquake, similar to the ones that recently ravaged Chile and Haiti, is likely to strike in the United States, and we need to prepare now. “Many people don’t realize there is a huge fault line in the central U.S. known as the New Madrid fault, as well as a significant fault line in South Carolina,” Rochman said.  “And, of course, California and the Pacific Northwest are sitting on top of numerous fault lines.”

“Interestingly, about 200 years separated Haiti from its last major quake and the most recent one, and it has been nearly 200 years since the devastating 1811-1812 earthquakes struck along the New Madrid Fault, which begins in Missouri and travels through five states,” Rochman said.

The wreckage caused by this weekend’s earthquake in Chile appears far less widespread than that from the recent quake in Haiti, despite the fact that Chile’s quake was an 8.8 magnitude and Haiti’s was 7.0.

“While there are many dissimilarities between the two catastrophes that account for the variation in the levels of destruction, one of the primary reasons Chile fared better than Haiti is because the country has imposed tough building codes in recent decades, rendering modern structures more likely to survive any given quake. Construction in Haiti, sadly, was not governed by modern building codes,” Rochman stated.

Unfortunately, there remain many earthquake-prone areas in the United States that also lack effective building codes, or where building code enforcement is inconsistent.

The adoption and enforcement of modern building codes is a major step toward becoming better prepared for an earthquake. Building codes provide the minimum acceptable standards used to regulate the design, construction and maintenance of buildings for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the building’s users.

“Earthquakes are not like blizzards or hurricanes,” Rochman added.  “We cannot predict when one is going to hit. Accordingly, we must prepare now, and the first step is the adoption of stronger seismic building codes. The time to take action is before, not after, a catastrophe like a major earthquake hits.”

IBHS recently released a new white paper, which includes a review of the three primary earthquake-prone areas in the United States, as well as a state-by-state analysis of seismic provisions in building codes.

The Institute also offers an earthquake retrofit guide, which provides a list of structural and non-structural upgrades designed to enhance a building’s ability to withstand the effects of a quake.

Finally, the IBHS Web site, www.DisasterSafety.org, contains additional information on how to prepare a home or business to protect it from the damaging effects of an earthquake. 

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IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

“Roof collapse – particularly in areas where severe winter storms are not common events – can pose major threats to people and property,” said Julie Rochman, president & CEO of IBHS. “Taking steps to prevent partial or total roof collapse can help property owners avoid costly losses.”

The snow load risk of a roof depends in large part on the age of the structure. Older roofs can suffer from corrosion of members and connections which can reduce the ability to resist high snow loads. In addition, buildings with lightweight roofs, such as metal buildings, typically have less capacity to handle a high snow load. For flat roofs, the step-down area between roof sections presents a problem due to the tendency for ice and snow collection.

The best source for determining how much snow load a building can handle is the original design plan. According to IBHS, most roof designs can support at least 20 pounds per square foot. However, design loads can range from 10 pounds to 20 pounds per square foot in Mid-Atlantic states, and between 40 pounds and 70 pounds per square foot in New England.

Guidelines to Estimate Snow Weight

· 10 inches-12 inches of fresh/new snow equals about five pounds per square foot of roof space

· Three inches to five inches of old/packed snow equals about five pounds per square foot of roof space

· Ice is much heavier, with one inch equaling about one foot of fresh snow

Snow and Ice Removal from Roofs

• IBHS recommends that property owners not attempt to climb on their roof to remove snow.
• A safer alternative is to use a snow rake while standing at ground level. Check your local hardware store or online stores to find snow rakes and other products that can help protect your property from the effect of snow loading.

Visit the IBHS Web site (http://www.disastersafety.org/main.asp?id=1068) to learn more about how to protect your property against roof collapse and other winter weather-related perils.

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IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

Kelso will succeed Rod Matthews, vice president of property and casualty underwriting for State Farm Insurance, whose two-year term as chairman is ending. Hedde, who as the Institute’s vice chairman will lead the organization’s executive committee, succeeds Kelso, who served as IBHS vice chairman for the past two years.

"I look forward to working with the IBHS board and staff as we launch the new hazard research center in 2010,” said Kelso. “Natural disasters are increasing in size and frequency, and no area of the U.S. is immune. The IBHS hazard research center will provide the scientific basis for building safer homes and business buildings."

“IBHS is very fortunate to have Kevin as our new chairman,” said IBHS President and CEO Julie Rochman. “With the new lab coming on line, Kevin’s extensive insurance and marketing experience are tremendous, timely assets for us. We look forward to Kevin’s active, insightful leadership during what promises to be an exciting two-year period.”

In these challenging economic times, a single natural or man-made disaster can overwhelm a family, business or entire community. “IBHS members understand the imperative to gain wide public and industry acceptance of proven, effective and affordable ways to harden their residences and commercial structures,” noted Rochman. “Kevin and Carl are exactly the right people to have in such important roles as we change the world of applied building science for the benefit of our society.”

Rochman also offered her and the Institute’s appreciation to Matthews for his service as chairman. Noting that she joined IBHS at the same time Matthews became chairman, Rochman expressed gratitude for “Rod’s support, guidance and wise counsel. Rod led IBHS through a pivotal time as we reoriented the organization and went from dreaming about a world-class, multi-peril research facility through the planning process into full construction mode. No matter how many bumps we encountered along the way, Rod was always there to help. His passion for, and commitment to, making homes and businesses stronger and safer in order to save lives and reduce property damage is quite impressive.”

Turning to the full 2010 IBHS board of directors, Rochman concluded by stating that “IBHS staff recognizes that our board members all have full-time, challenging executive jobs with insurance or reinsurance companies. We greatly appreciate the time and talent commitment each of them makes to IBHS with their board service.”

IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry.  The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

This year’s agenda features a distinguished list of guest speakers who will present topics that range from discussions on the insurance economics of “going green” and insurance risks associated with sustainable building, to the next generation of building codes and residential sprinklers. IBHS staff also will discuss the expansion of its Fortified…for Safer Living® program to include commercial structures and retrofitting existing homes. IBHS engineers will provide a brief look at research plans for the Institute’s new natural hazard research lab, currently under construction in Chester County, S.C., and scheduled for completion next spring.

“We have put together a carefully planned conference that will offer a variety of viewpoints on how to construct residential and commercial buildings so that they are both environmentally responsible and disaster resistant,” said Julie Rochman, president and CEO of IBHS. “We have a very strong agenda and an extraordinary group of speakers who all are recognized experts in their respective fields.”

The keynote address for the conference will be delivered by John F. Straube, Ph.D., P.E., professor, Department of Civil Engineering and the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Straube is a well-respected expert in the area of building science. He will discuss why long-held methods of evaluating risk must change to respond to new technologies, design approaches, client expectations and designer promises. Other featured guest speakers include: Robert Hartwig, Ph.D., president of the Insurance Information Institute; Gary Keith, vice president, field operations with the National Fire Protection Association and David Karmol, vice president, federal and external relations for the International Code Council.

IBHS engineers Tim Reinhold, Ph.D., P.E., senior vice president of research and chief engineer and Anne Cope, Ph.D., P.E., director of research also will be on hand to present, along with other members of the IBHS engineering department, Rem Brown, P.E., Wanda Edwards, P.E. and Fred Malik.

“There is a lot of public discussion about ‘green’ construction going on now. This focus on how residential and commercial structures are designed and engineered offers those of us in the ‘stronger, safer’ building community a great opportunity to inject our messages about resiliency into those conversations. Sustainability and durability really do fit together perfectly,” noted Rochman. “The bottom line is that if buildings end up as debris in landfills or as piles of ash following natural disasters, they certainly weren’t ‘green’ at all. When property owners build and retrofit structures that are durable, our communities become stronger, safer and more eco-friendly.”

The conference begins Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. and concludes Dec. 2 at 4 p.m.

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IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry.  The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

Greenbuild is the mechanism through which the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) advances its message of how to build for the future through the use of cost-effective, energy-efficient and water-saving green buildings.

“IBHS is a strong proponent of building green, and we also believe it is critical that we build structures that are durable and disaster-resistant,” said Rochman. “After all, a building won't be very green or environmentally-friendly if it ends up in a landfill following a disaster.”

A significant percentage of the U.S. population now lives in harm's way, either within 50 miles of the coast or within wildfire-prone areas, so incorporating existingresilient building techniques into green building makes sense. There are sound economic, environmental-preservation, and public health and safety reasons for green building; but there are potential pitfalls that need to be just as carefully evaluated from a building science perspective.

“USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification System, known as LEED, is a sound, well-recognized building standard,” added Rochman. “LEED could be even stronger and more beneficial to communities and property owners if its standards required structures to be both energy efficient and disaster resistant so they are better able to survive windstorms, floods, severe winter weather or wildfires, for example.”

The Washington, D.C.-based USGBC has more than 20,000 member companies and more than 130,000 LEED-accredited professionals operating within its 78 local affiliates. LEED is described by the USGBC as an internationally recognized green building certification system,providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

“By incorporating disaster resistant building standards into LEED, the USGBC would provide property owners with even more incentive to build green. For example, using dual-pane glass for windows is both energy efficient and it will help keep wind, water and fire out,” Rochman explained. “As IBHS and others identify ways to protect property in the face of natural disasters, we look forward to working with our colleagues in the green community. Helping property owners build and retrofit structures that are both green and durable will make our communities stronger, safer and better in many ways.”

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