Lobbyists for fire chiefs and the insurance industry joined in encouraging Congress to pass legislation that would provide financial incentives to states that adopt either of the two most recent versions of the International Residential Code.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety said the Safe Building Code Incentive Act would provide “vital life-safety protection during natural disasters such as wildfires.”

“Enactment of the SBCIA is important because 34 states currently do not put the power of modern building science to work for their homeowners, businesses, and taxpayers,” Julie Rochman, president and CEO of the insurance institute, said in a prepared statement.

Under terms of the bill, states that adopt the 2009 or 2012 versions of the IRC would pick up an extra 4% in post-disaster relief.

“Extreme-weather events continue to pummel homes and businesses across our nation year after year,” Rochman said. “According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 25 major disasters during the past two years each caused more than $1 billion in economic losses. The huge financial cost of these events is staggering, but the larger, more tragic costs are the thousands of shattered and lost lives. Encouraging the widespread adoption and enforcement of strong building codes at the state level will save lives, protect property, and ultimately reduce taxpayer exposure to natural disasters.”

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