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              Building Science
                          Building Science

                      Report: Building Codes Save
              
                                  
            
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          Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study of Loss Prevention
world globeEnglish
FEMA’s landmark study, “Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study,” shows that modern building codes lead to major reduction in property losses from natural disasters. The FEMA report calculates losses from three types of natural hazard (earthquakes, flooding, and hurricane winds) for each state and Washington, D.C.



Download the Study



Building Codes Save: A Nationwide StudyPDF Link Icon



AppendicesPDF Link Icon



BrochurePDF Link Icon



Building Codes Save



National Findings of Modeled I-Code Savings



*Total losses avoided are based on building and content damages*



feature_mini imgFloods



**Number of Post-2000 Structures**



**Money Saved, annual average**



786k



$484 million



feature_mini imgEarthquakes



2.4m



$60 million



feature_mini imgHurricane Winds



9.2m



$1.1 billion



One of the most cost-effective ways to safeguard our communities against natural disasters is to adopt and follow hazard-resistant building codes. Not only are casualties reduced, but the cost of building damage is also reduced during a natural disaster. Building codes also help communities get back on their feet faster by minimizing indirect costs such as business interruptions and lost income.



65%



Percentage of counties, cities and towns across the U.S. today still have not adopted modern building codes



*As of November 2020*



$132 billion



Estimated reduction in property losses based on forecasted consistent growth associated with use of modern building codes from 2000-2040



The analysis shows that, over a 20-year period, cities and counties with modern building codes would avoid at least $32 billion in losses from natural disasters, when compared to jurisdictions without modern building codes.



Building Codes Generate Big Benefits at a Low Cost



Graphic
              House with no hurricane protection



Average home construction cost: $300,000



Graphic
              House with hurricane shutters



Average cost of code requirements to safeguard a new home



**Hurricane: $4,500 (1.5%)**



Graphic
              House with person walking dog outside



Average losses avoided from natural hazards over 30 years



**Hurricane: $1,600 losses avoided per year$48,000 cumulative losses avoided**



Main Takeaways From the Study



The Building Codes Save study demonstrates adoption of modern building codes helps communities avoid losses from predictable natural hazards.Cumulative losses avoided across the US from codes that have already been adopted are projected to grow to over $132b by the year 2040.There remain significant opportunities to avoid even more losses by expanding the adoption of modern building codes in areas where flood, earthquake, and hurricane wind hazards threaten growth and prosperity.And much more!



Resources



Download a copy of the study, or view all Building Codes Save materialsRead background on the study's development
Last updated June 3, 2022

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