Safer Construction Advocates Call on Maryland General Assembly to Build With Strength

Hearing coincides with public awareness campaign to inform Marylanders about the dangers of wood-frame construction.

Mar 13, 2017

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)

On Tuesday, March 14^th, the Maryland State House Environment and Transportation Committee will hear testimony on House Bill 1311, a bill introduced by Delegate Cory McCray of Baltimore City, seeking to establish and adopt statewide building code regulations related to fire safety features for lightweight combustible wood construction in low- to mid-rise residential buildings throughout the state.

“It’s time for the Maryland lawmaking community to come together to pass safer building codes,” says Kevin Lawlor, a spokesperson for Build With Strength, who will also be testifying before the committee. “The responsibility is on the legislature to prevent architects and developers from putting the public’s welfare at risk by using vulnerable construction materials and techniques all for the sake of their bottom lines.”

At the same time, Build With Strength is launching ads throughout the capital region in print, radio and online, calling on Maryland’s legislators to pass their respective bills, and to raise awareness about the dangers of wood-frame construction. Examples of the ads can be found by following the links below.

Since December 2016, 15 local fire-related deaths have already been recorded. In response, members of the Build With Strength Coalition: the Red Cross, the insurance industry, resilience advocates, engineers, architects and academics are imploring lawmakers to rectify this gap in public safety.

“Building codes are meant to serve as floors, not ceilings, in terms of the obligations on developers to ensure the safety of occupants,” continues Lawlor. “It only stands to reason that the minimum requirements would include provisions that protect the communities they serve from needless further tragedy.”

While the General Assembly considers HB 1311, the Maryland State Senate is considering its own piece of legislation on the issue, Senate Bill 722, a bill introduced by State Senator Joan Carter Conway of Baltimore City.