BUILDING SAFETY MONTH WEEK TWO: VOICES OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Behind every home or building is a team of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to protect the public. Week 2 of Building Safety Month recognizes the individuals whose expertise, vigilance and commitment keep the places where we live, work and gather safe. Who Are Building Safety Professionals? Building safety professionals help bring building projects to life while ensuring safety for occupants and residents. These experts also help keep existing buildings safe by conducting inspections and enforcing the latest building codes. Building safety professionals:  Include building inspectors, building officials, plans examiners, permit technicians, fire marshals and more  Attend continuing education courses and obtain certifications  Empower and educate partners to embrace and integrate safety standards in their work  Ensure that buildings are constructed to withstand the stress of everyday use  Perform safety checks that protect your home from emergencies before fire, flood or disaster strikes  Play a significant role in community planning decision making to align government, business and built environment partners When to Call a Professional Always check with your local building safety department before beginning home improvement projects. Requirements vary, but many building safety departments require permits for home improvement projects, including electrical, mechanical, structural or plumbing work. Follow-up inspections provide a measure of safety to protect your life and property. Code officials use building codes to keep you safe by:  Conducting site inspections to look for risk or danger  Providing code interpretation support and consultations  Overseeing renovations and rebuilding  Creating building plans and approving permits that ensure a safe build Become a Building Safety Professional If you're looking for a fulfilling career that makes a difference in your community, consider a career in the building safety industry! Jobs ranging from building officials and fire marshals, to mechanical, electrical and plumbing inspectors are in-demand and are an integral part in keeping the built environment safe for all.  Building safety professionals assist design professionals, contractors, building owners and the public to understand how to design, construct, operate and occupy buildings in conformance with the International Codes® and technical standards adopted by local and state jurisdictions  Code officials have opportunities to serve as a building safety generalist, but also to become experts in specific code specialty areas  Project opportunities span private businesses, residential applications and public works initiatives across a regional jurisdiction  Inspectors have a dynamic workday – working both indoors and outdoors between office settings and construction sites Let Your Voice Be Heard Be the change you'd like to see in your community by speaking up about building safety. From reaching out to your local media, to advocating for building safety to local leadership, even the smallest action can ultimately save lives.  Talk to your network about building safety and share fact-based information and resources on your social media accounts  Share news releases with your local newspapers, radio stations and television networks to encourage local media to cover stories related to building safety  Share building safety information or concerns with your public information officer, city manager or mayor  Plan community events to raise awareness or attend local events about building safety  Contact the code officials in your area to learn more about the building industry and discover local volunteer opportunities For more information visit: https://www.iccsafe.org/