Building Safety Month marked
STEUBENVILLE — May is Building Safety Month as marked by the International Code Council.
The city building and fire departments are joining to note the importance of following and enforcing building codes to the safety of city residents.
Fire Chief Carlo Capaldi said, “For our inspectors and the building inspectors, the safety of citizens and businesses are our concern. Everything we do is focused on safety. We enforce the building and fire codes with the safety of the people in mind.”
Urban Projects Director Chris Petrossi said one main effort for the city is to make sure residents know about the building section on the city website.
“People can go to www.cityofsteubenville.us, click on ‘building inspection’ under ‘city departments,’ and there’s a wealth of information there,” Petrossi said. “All the applications they need are there. There is a ton of information about how to obtain permits and information about building safety.”
He said many people call his office without looking for answers on the website.
“All they have to do is click,” he said.
Among the items to check this month, according to the International Code Council, are decks, porches and balconies; fencing and installations of pools spas and hot tubs; outdoor grill safe installation and usage; fire safety including being sure there is a working smoke alarm on every floor and development of a fire escape plan; and tornado safety awareness.
Other items to consider include installing a carbon monoxide alarm in the hallway outside sleeping rooms in a residence, and making sure electrical cords are used safely and don’t exceed the load capacity of fixtures.
Reminders about the need for building permits also are part of Building Safety Month. Generally, roofing; installation of electrical outlets; window replacements; remodeling of kitchens or bathrooms; installation of pools, spas or hot tubs; addition construction; replacements of boilers, furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and space heaters; as well as tall fence construction, require building permits.
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