NIBS Wins Award for National Guidelines to Reduce Earthquake Risk
American Society of Association Executives honors the organization for its program to aid construction and keep communities safe
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) – The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) earned a 2019 Power of A Silver Award for its National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) Seismic Provisions. These guidelines aim to reduce seismic risk and make the building process more efficient, including design and construction.
The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) honored the program launched by NIBS’ Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC), which leads the development of nationally applicable seismic regulations for buildings that integrate into the model building code.
“We applaud the National Institute of Building Sciences for creating and implementing such a collaborative initiative that strengthens society,” said Sharon J. Swan, FASAE, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of the American Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics and chair of the Power of A Judging Committee. “Its initiative exemplifies how no other sector helps improve lives as comprehensively as the association community.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the BSSC. Prior to 1979, homebuyers were faced with widely varying seismic provisions in building codes and standards, meaning that many had ineffective earthquake protection in their homes.
“This council has marked a tremendous shift in industry standards with regard to earthquake safety and seismic regulations,” said Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, President and CEO of NIBS. “The work of our council over the last 40 years is saving lives.”
Because of the NEHRP Seismic Provisions, there is a streamlined process for providing seismic building code regulations in the U.S. Studies have found that incorporation of the latest 2015 NEHRP Seismic Provisions into the code greatly reduces building loss, with a benefit-cost ratio of 12:1.
ASAE’s Power of A Awards are the industry’s highest honor, recognizing the association community’s valuable contributions on the local, national, and global levels. The Power of A Awards reward the outstanding accomplishments of associations and industry professionals who tirelessly work to solve problems and strengthen the workforce and economy.
