Department of Buildings Stresses Importance of Building Code Officials During Building Safety Month

May 1, 2017

Mimi Simon |     Department of Buildings 312.744.7384 | mimi.simon@cityofchicago.org 

   Building Safety Month

 

For Immediate Release 
 
As part of the city’s ongoing public outreach strategy for safe buildings, the Department of Buildings celebrates Building Safety Month during May to stress the importance of building code officials for public safety.  This annual campaign helps individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe, resilient, affordable and energy‐efficient homes and buildings.

 “When our building safety and fire prevention experts inspect buildings and review construction plans to ensure code compliance they help to ensure the places where you live, learn, work, worship and play are safe,” said Building Commissioner Judy Frydland. “We work closely with building owners, design professionals, building contractors, and trade professionals to provide maximum public safety.”

 The Department of Buildings issued 46,929 building permits in 2016 and completed nearly 300,000 inspections, including approximately 50,000 inspections in response to 311 calls.

 Homes and buildings that are built in compliance with building safety codes result in resilient structures that minimize the risks of death, injury and property damage. Regardless of the department code officials work in—building, fire, planning or elsewhere—they work hard every day to provide public safety by ensuring buildings are constructed safely. Because resilient structures minimize the risk of property damage, property owners may pay lower insurance costs and millions of taxpayer dollars can be saved when rebuilding from natural disasters.

Based on building science, technical knowledge and past experiences, the Chicago Building Code provides protection from man‐made and natural disasters, guarding public health and reducing property losses. The codes address all aspects of construction, from structural to fire prevention, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency.

The Department of Buildings will be posting building safety tips throughout the month of May on Facebook and Twitter.

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