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Floods happen - beside rivers, on the coast, in deserts, along city streets and behind protective levees. But you can take steps before the flood to protect your home and family from disaster. Some things can and should be done immediately.  Others require a licensed professional.  However, each change you... Levees are in the Flood Plain... Most major levees protecting urban areas were built to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) standards. BUT -- recent history and the reputation of USACE have lead to the common misconception that areas protected by levees are outside the floodplain... they are not; they are... Most major levees protecting urban areas were built to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) standards. BUTrecent history and the reputation of USACE have lead to the common misconception that areas protected by levees are outside the floodplain... they are not; they are in (the floodplain)! It is important to... Levees are in the Flood Plain... Most major levees protecting urban areas were built to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) standards. BUT-- recent history and the reputation of USACE have lead to the common misconception that areas protected by levees are outside the floodplain -- they are not; they are...

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As if slippery sidewalks and snow-covered cars aren’t bad enough during the winter, you face another potential headache: ruined carpets and water damage to your ceilings and walls from leaks caused by ice dams or bursting pipes. You can avoid the resulting aggravation and expense by taking several basic steps...

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One of the most vulnerable spots on your home is the roof. And one hazard most homeowners can expect to face at some point is hail. Compared to earthquakes and hurricanes, hail might seem like a minor concern. True, hailstorms don’t cause the loss of life, but they can shatter... Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Inc. test UL 2218 simulates hailstones falling at peak velocity, and designates products with the most impact resistance Class 4.  IBHS recommends UL 2218 Class 3 or 4 products in hail-prone regions.  The majority of residential roofing consists of asphalt shingles.  To make finding UL 2218 approved... Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Inc. test 2218 simulates hailstones falling at peak velocity, and designates products with the most impact resistance Class 4.  IBHS recommends UL2218 Class 3 or 4 products in hail-prone regions.  The following link takes you to the list of UL Certified Clients for Roof Covering Materials, Impact...

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Strengthen These Five Spots to Make Your Home More Secure Hurricanes cause damage to homes and property, destroy furniture and keepsakes, and disrupt your life for weeks or months at a time.  In this guide, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) outlines Five Spots where some work can... Many codes have requirements that are based on wind speeds. This map of Louisiana illustrates wind speed contours from the American Society of Engineers (ASCE) 7-98 standard. Click on the link to the right to download a PDF file containing a map of wind speeds within hurricane prone regions along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Keeping wind and water out is critical to your home’s survival.  Shutters should be a planned element of any vulnerable home. Plywood should be a last-minute alternative, and if used, it must be properly fastened. Protective barriers can: Keep wind pressure from building up inside, which often leads to loss...

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Even if you live outside “Tornado Alley,” the area of the country that runs north from Texas through eastern Nebraska and northeast to Indiana, you are still vulnerable to tornadoes. Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas may see more of these unpredictable and dangerous storms than other states, but the rest of...

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Grounds maintenance and landscaping are major components of the interconnected systems that work together to protect a commercial building from water damage. In sometimes unexpected ways these outdoor activities and elements can have sudden and extreme impact on the building itself. This quick guide will draw your attention to the... Proper operation and maintenance of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is essential to reducing the risk of water damage to a commercial building. And, while every building is unique, and HVAC systems vary, this brief guide includes all of the basics you need to establish a solid... All buildings are different, but each is at risk for water damage. From a minor roof leak to violently destructive hurricanes, any unwanted water intrusion can significantly impact the value of a commercial property. Protecting the roofs, walls, windows, and other components of 'the envelope', is essential to reducing the...

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Nearly every state has been devastated by wildfires in the last century. More than 140,000 wildfires occur on average each year. Since 1990, more than 900 homes have been destroyed each year by wildfires. So, what can you do to protect yourself, your home and property from wildfires? This guide... Wildfires only happen in California, right? Well, maybe in Florida and New Mexico too, but certainly not in your neighborhood. However, in truth, nearly every state has been devastated by wildfires in the last century. Over 140,000 wildfires occurred on average each year, burning a total of almost 14.5 million...

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(Note:    Fortified Plan Reviewers may also perform Fortified inspections)   Alabama   Pagel, Tim Inspector AL tpagel@pjc.edu 850/ 450-5044 Reeves, Michael Plan Reviewer AL mree... The Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Fortified...for safer living® (FFSL) program enables builders to construct disaster-resistant homes using criteria designed to combat the natural hazards facing each region, as well as to help curtail day-to-day losses.  The FFSL Builder’s Guide (2007 edition) is available in draft form.  Please contact... You build to a standard of quality on every home that says something about your company long after the last nail is driven. But nature's fury can undo in just a few minutes the quality and workmanship that should have lasted for years. That's why the Institute for Business &... Some risks in life are worth taking, like commuting to work in heavy traffic or making an investment decision. Others aren't, especially at home, the one place you want as few risks as possible. That's why the Institute for Business & Home Safety developed Fortified...for safer living® . Every area...

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More than 15 million homes sat unoccupied in 2003. Almost another four million were used only seasonally, according to the U.S. Census. That means sixteen percent of all homes in this country were left unattended at some point for an extended period of time. What would happen if a pipe... Below are some common questions and answers about Oilheat safety. A pamphlet is available for download at the top right of this article. Question- How long should my oil tank last? Answer- Typically, properly maintained tanks provide years of trouble free service. To maximize your tanks lifespan: Have it installed... Your roof is your home's first line of defense from the elements. But sun, wind and rain all wear down your roof over time. Since your roof is the largest component of your house it can also be the most vulnerable to severe storms and the costliest single site of... People across the country could protect their homes and businesses, and make their property safer, by doing a good job of landscaping. Falling trees and limbs cause hundreds of millions of dollars of damage each year, as well as personal injuries and deaths.  Windstorms and ice storms are leading causes...

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When disasters strike, businesses that are able to reopen sooner help their communities recover more quickly. The IBHS guide, Getting Back To Business--A Guide for the Small Business Owner Following Disaster was developed to help business owners work toward recovery. Click on the download option to the right to view this...

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Download the Community Land Use Evaluation Report to your right. The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) surveyed certified planners in communities across the country and found most communities fail to recognize the potential impact of natural disasters in their local land use planning and development practices, making them more vulnerable to damages when natural disasters occur.  In this... Showcase States Overview Pamphlet Showcase State Model for Natural Disaster Resistance and Resilience: A Guidebook for Loss Reduction Partnerships

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Small business is big business in this country - accounting for 99.7 percent of all employers in the United States, according to the United States Small Business Administration. But unlike their larger counterparts, small businesses are especially at risk from disaster, since few have the resources or knowledge to develop... When disasters strike, businesses that are able to reopen sooner help their communities recover more quickly. The IBHS guide, Getting Back To Business--A Guide for the Small Business Owner Following Disaster was developed to help business owners work toward recovery. Click on the download option to the right to view this... Grounds maintenance and landscaping are major components of the interconnected systems that work together to protect a commercial building from water damage. In sometimes unexpected ways these outdoor activities and elements can have sudden and extreme impact on the building itself. This quick guide will draw your attention to the... Proper operation and maintenance of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is essential to reducing the risk of water damage to a commercial building. And, while every building is unique, and HVAC systems vary, this brief guide includes all of the basics you need to establish a solid...

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Unlike some other natural disasters, wildfires pose a threat nationwide. The early start of the 2007 wildfire season coupled with the growing number of structures being built in the Wildland Urban Interface became the catalysts for this issue of Disaster Safety Review. The authors were selected for their diverse expertise,...

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I received some literature on window coatings that are designed to protect a structure.  My question is, does IBHS have any information on these window coverings?   Their literature implies that they can be as effective, if not more than hurricane shutters (of course, their literature wants to get you to...

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Dr. Patricia Grossi of Risk Management Solutions presented these slides -- "2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Impact on Catastrophe Modeling"-- during a portion of the panel on catastrophe modeling at the IBHS Annual Conference in Orlando on Oct. 20 and 21, 2005.  Click on the download option at right to view... Jeff Burton, IBHS Building Codes Manager, presented these slides on "HURRICANE CHARLEY-POST EVENT ANALYSIS" at the IBHS Annual Conference on October 20 and 21, 2005.  Click on the download option at right to view slides. Katie Carter, IBHS Project Engineer and Database Manager, presented "INDUSTRY LOSS EXPERIENCE DATABASE UPDATE" at the IBHS Annual Conference on Oct 20 and 21, 2005.  Click on the download option at right to view this presentation. Tom Larsen of EQECAT presented these slides on "Long Term Weather Cycles and their near term effects" during the catastrophe modeling panel at the IBHS Annual Conference on Oct 20 and 21, 2005.  Click on the download option at right to view these slides.

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The annual report exemplifies this year’s IBHS theme, STRONGER TOGETHER , by highlighting the activities of members and individuals who help foster the IBHS mission. Whether it is an Open for Business sm  plan utilized by the office supply store owner in Colebrook, N.H., or the Louisiana home builder, who... Preventing property losses created by powerful natural phenomena or other causes requires materials, methods and organizations that embody strength.  It is the Institute for Business & Home Safety’s vision of a nation that promotes resiliency from these losses that brings our members and partners together. With the continued support of... What a Difference a Year Makes... The 2004 IBHS Annual Report (Download to the right.)

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A building code is the minimum acceptable standard used to regulate the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings for the purpose of protecting the health, safety, and general welfare of the building’s users.  Disasters don’t distinguish between borders separating counties, but many builders and contractors must do just that.  A...

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Dr. Patricia Grossi of Risk Management Solutions presented these slides -- "2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Impact on Catastrophe Modeling"-- during a portion of the panel on catastrophe modeling at the IBHS Annual Conference in Orlando on Oct. 20 and 21, 2005.  Click on the download option at right to view... Jeff Burton, IBHS Building Codes Manager, presented these slides on "HURRICANE CHARLEY-POST EVENT ANALYSIS" at the IBHS Annual Conference on October 20 and 21, 2005.  Click on the download option at right to view slides. Katie Carter, IBHS Project Engineer and Database Manager, presented "INDUSTRY LOSS EXPERIENCE DATABASE UPDATE" at the IBHS Annual Conference on Oct 20 and 21, 2005.  Click on the download option at right to view this presentation. Tom Larsen of EQECAT presented these slides on "Long Term Weather Cycles and their near term effects" during the catastrophe modeling panel at the IBHS Annual Conference on Oct 20 and 21, 2005.  Click on the download option at right to view these slides.

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Members of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) have adopted a new strategic long-range plan that recognizes the importance of mitigating the effects of both natural disasters and other property loss events.   For most of its 30-year history, the national nonprofit insurance trade association has focused its...

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If you are interested in the 2008 IBHS Conference, please click here. Nov. 8 & 9 Rosen Centre Hotel Orlando, Fla. Agenda Thursday (11/8/07) 8 a.m. – Exhibit Hall Opens Ballrooms D & E 10 a.m. – Noon – Sponsor organizations’ workshops Session 1 – 10 – 11 a.m. and...

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