Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation declaring May 2019 as Building Safety Month in Michigan. This year’s theme, “No Code. No Confidence.” reaffirms the value and importance of construction codes, state registered code officials and a strong system of code enforcement to protect the public. LARA’s Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) works to ensure that homes and buildings constructed throughout Michigan are safe, sound and sustainable.
“Construction code officials are here to help consumers understand building safety issues,” said LARA Director Orlene Hawks. “Especially with do-it-yourselfers, it becomes extremely important for homeowners to work with their building inspectors to make sure their new home or remodel fully complies with Michigan’s construction codes.”
Code officials including boiler, building, electrical, elevator, fire prevention, plumbing, and mechanical inspectors, along with architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, and others in the state’s construction industry work together to ensure code compliance that address safety, energy efficiency, and resilience in homes, schools, workplaces and other structures to protect lives and property.
“Construction codes address all aspects of building including boilers, elevators, structural integrity; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems; and fire prevention, as well as pre-manufactured home construction,” saidBCC Director Keith Lambert. “Through a coordinated program of code compliance, investigation and training, there is consistent application of standards to protect the public.”
Celebrated worldwide, Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention, and energy efficiency. LARA uses national and international standards as the basis for model codes, and through Michigan amendments develops Michigan construction codes which are enforced throughout the state. The model codes are the most widely adopted building safety, energy, and fire prevention codes in the nation — used by most U.S. cities, counties, and states.
