IBHS supports and encourages the transfer of this technology into standards and design guides. A quality assurance plan, prepared by the building designer, would require contractors of special buildings in high wind areas to acknowledge the special wind requirements. The contractor should specify how control will be maintained and should list the qualifications of the persons exercising such control. IBHS encourages the development and use of quality assurance plans on all building types. IBHS continues to develop and encourage initiatives that will lead to better-constructed buildings.
Major earthquakes can cause substantial property losses.
Their efforts have lead to the continuous improvement of the seismic requirements in the model building codes. For instance, if an earthquake strikes and the building's occupants are able to exit safely, in spite of the fact that the building may be a total loss, the design was successful according to the model building codes. New developments in seismic design allow engineers to design buildings to various performance levels. As performance based design becomes accepted, the model building codes will need to consider additional criteria that limit the amount of seismic damage to buildings. IBHS is taking the lead in developing these methods.