Building with Concrete Makes Citizens Feel Safer

According to a new poll released today, Georgia voters are supportive of the recently passed Sandy Springs, Georgia construction regulations requiring buildings over three stories tall or more than 100,000 square feet in total size to be constructed with enhanced quality materials like concrete or steel (96% support). Additionally, these voters support their own city passing similar regulations by overwhelming margins (94% support). The poll of 400 registered voters living in Georgia, commissioned by Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, was conducted online from September 22^nd – 26^th and representative of voters in the state in terms of gender, party affiliation, race and age.

“It’s abundantly clear Georgians want their hometowns to follow Sandy Springs’ lead and join the growing ranks of cities across the country that require resiliency be a core component of building construction,” said Kevin Lawlor, a spokesperson for Build with Strength. “It’s now up to local elected officials to listen.”

In mid-August, the Sandy Springs City Council, along with Mayor Rusty Paul, amended the city’s building code to include new requirements that prohibit combustible materials from being used in certain building elements with the aim of providing increased building quality, sustainability, durability, and longevity, while at the same time, revitalizing the areas zoned for uses other than what is currently developed.

In addition to calling for the adoption of construction regulations, the poll found respondents place a high level of importance on safety issues. Specifically, the poll found just 21% of Georgia voters feel “very safe” in the event of an emergency like a fire in new apartment buildings, new small office buildings, and new schools. While the majority of voters feel “somewhat safe” (67%), just one-fifth are willing to express greater confidence in new construction today.

“I urge communities across Georgia to join Sandy Springs in providing a safer and more sustainable future for our citizens through wise use of materials for buildings,” said Stephen Skalko an engineer from Macon, Georgia who specializes in life safety, fire safety and construction aspects of buildings. “We owe them nothing less.”

The Georgia poll comes on the heels of similar polls in New Jersey and New York, which found respondents supportive of their states making changes to building codes following the devastating Edgewater apartment complex fire in 2015 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Additional Information:

• Polling Report: Georgia Voter Poll
• Infographic: Calling for a Concrete Change

• Denver Forced to Contend with Combustible Construction Once Again

  Fire at townhouses under construction destroys two buildings.

  

• Four-Alarm Fire Nearly Destroys Wood-Frame Apartment Complex

  Statement from concrete coalition on most expensive fire in city history.

  

• Kentucky’s Public Schools are Being Built with Concrete to Protect Students

  The latest in concrete construction technology is making schools safer, and more energy-efficient.

  

• Georgia Legislation Would Jeopardize Building Safety

  Concrete coalition works with community leaders to urge state senators to oppose HB 876.

  

• Los Angeles Faith Leaders Support Stronger Building Codes

  Church leaders are calling on City Council to endorse efforts to protect communities from fire.

  

• Los Angeles Wood-Frame Apartment Complex Burns in Massive Fire

  Three people were injured in blaze that displaced 300 residents.

  

• Georgia Legislation Limits Local Authority to Implement Stronger Building Codes

  Concrete group says Georgia Senate should reject proposal to ensure local leaders can keep their communities safe.

  

• Top Philly Labor Groups Commit to Stronger Building Codes

  The community labor organizations join a growing list of advocates that are working to ensure that the most vulnerable residents in cities such as Philadelphia have access to safe and secure housing.

  

• Developer Looking to Build with Combustible Materials Despite Overwhelming Consensus

  Decision to construct tall timber structure comes after Essex County, N.J., which governs City of Newark, endorsed statewide legislation that prohibits such construction

  

• LA Housing Partnership Commits to Building Stronger Communities

  The coalition of civic organizations dedicated to secure housing is growing.