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Building Science

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Research/New Knowlege to Lessons Learned/Research to Practice to guidance and Tools Development to Building Codes and Standards (for disaster resistance) to Outreach and Implementation (for technology transfer) to Reduced Disaster Losses to return to Lessons Learned.

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Who We Are

The FEMA Building Science Branch provides technical services for the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA). The branch develops and produces multi-hazard mitigation guidance that focuses on creating disaster-resilient communities to reduce loss of life and property. Building Science Branch activities include deploying Mitigation Assessment Teams to conduct post-disaster engineering investigations for both man-made and natural hazard events. Building Science takes a lead role in developing publications, guidance materials, tools, technical bulletins, and recovery advisories that incorporate the most up-to-date building codes, floodproofing requirements, seismic design standards, and wind design requirements for new construction and the repair of existing buildings. In addition to providing technical support for the development and adoption of model building codes and standards, Building Science Branch provides technical support for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for public and private sector stakeholders, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP), and pursuing outreach strategies for communicating Building Science issues.

What We Do

The Building Science branch develops mitigation guidance that focuses on creating disaster-resilient communities. Mitigation efforts provide value to the American people by creating safer communities and reducing loss of life and property. Our mitigation activities include:

Building Science Resources

Questions?
Click on the "Frequently Asked Questions" link to view FAQs. If you need additional information contact the Building Science Helpline at (866) 927-2104 or email FEMA-Buildingsciencehelp@fema.dhs.gov.  Please allow up to 5 business days for a response.

For questions related to funding, please contact your State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO).

Building Safety Month – May 2012

Building Safety Month is a month-long celebration of all aspects of building safety that helps families, employers, and leaders understand and appreciate the best practices that keep the places where we live, work, and play safe.

For the last 32 years the 50,000 worldwide members of the International Code Council (ICC) have celebrated advances in building safety and widespread interest in the campaign has grown significantly. For example, the range of support from the President, governors, city mayors, county executives, and other officials in 2011 demonstrated widespread interest and focus on the issue of building safety.

Countless accidents still occur in homes across the U.S. and globally where codes are poorly understood or used improperly. The expanded Building Safety Month will help bridge these gaps and provide a broader platform to share the sphere of knowledge among architects, engineers and skilled industry veterans so that families, businesses and communities can be safe, strong and sustainable.

For additional information visit these sites:

Building Science Activies Schedule

This calendar provides a listing of various Building Science activities. This includes conferences where Building Science will be presenting and/or exhibiting, workshops and webinars hosted by Building Science, and code hearings that Building Science plans to attend.

Building Science Activities Schedule

Last Updated: 
10/10/2012 - 10:43
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