May 5, 2005 – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued a proclamation declaring May 8-14 as Building Safety Week 2005 in Michigan. This year’s theme “Making Homes, Schools and Workplaces Safer Together” focuses on raising public awareness of building safety to promote the use, enforcement and understanding of building safety and fire prevention codes to protect lives and property.

“Safe buildings don’t happen by chance. Building Safety Week recognizes the professionals who make sure the buildings in our community are safe,” Granholm said. “This is the perfect time for the public to show appreciation for the building safety and fire prevention workers who make our safety their number one concern.”

Building code regulations in Michigan ensure that homes, schools, workplaces and other buildings are as safe as possible. Codes address all aspects of construction including structural integrity, electrical, mechanical, plumbing systems, fire prevention as well as manufactured home construction.

“Building and code officials are here to help the public understand building safety issues,” said Henry L. Green, Director, Bureau of Construction Codes and Fire Safety (BCCFS) and Vice President of the International Code Council. “In this age of do-it-yourselfers it becomes extremely important for homeowners to work with the local building officials to make sure their residence fully complies with Michigan’s construction codes.”

The importance of regulating and enforcing construction codes is, unfortunately, often overlooked until a catastrophic tragedy occurs. By inspecting buildings during and after construction, the code process ensures that buildings in the community are safe places to live, work, play and learn.

Building Safety Week, first observed in 1980, is sponsored by the International Code Council Foundation, an organization dedicated to changing the devastating effects of natural disasters and other building tragedies worldwide by promoting ideas, methods and technologies that encourage the construction of durable, sustainable buildings and homes.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth news releases.