New Public Information Campaign Makes Case for Non-Combustible Building Materials in California

A new public information campaign titled Building With Resilience emphasizes that non-combustible construction materials - readily available in California today - offer the best solution for achieving climate, clean air and water goals while strengthening communities against natural disasters.

Californians are faced with a number of choices and challenges as they evaluate rebuilding following recent wildfires; the campaign launched earlier this week provides resources and insights on the best path forward, notes NRMCA Senior Director, Building Innovations, Brandon Wray whose territory includes California. Building With Resilience shows how non-combustible construction materials not only enhance fire safety but can lower insurance costs and help reach ambitious climate targets produced locally and readily available here in California.

“People have learned for thousands of years that you can never truly fireproof our built environment. And yet we know owners, designers and builders are still having to make choices each day about non-combustible materials used in construction and infrastructure development. This initiative will help make clear there is an absolute standard for fire resilience,” said Robert Dugan, president and CEO of CalCIMA. “We’ll convene the world’s leading experts with a focus on how we can prioritize the use of concrete, masonry, metal, stone, fiber-cement and asphalt readily available here in California today and in ways that meet the state’s ambitious environmental and climate goals. This matters not only for housing but for community infrastructure, especially roads and water which are critical during fire events. We know the structural and sustainable arguments for concrete homes and infrastructure are being made. There are companies in-market today delivering, but we need local governments to prioritize codes and ordinances that ensure a smooth path to non-combustible construction. We expect this initiative to help local leaders prioritize where they can act today.”

“California is at a turning point where we can and must build better than before. We can no longer tolerate homes and communities being destroyed by fires by rebuilding in ways that we know aren’t safe. Let’s build our future with safer structures by using materials that don’t burn, rot or rust. This will minimize damage and speed up recovery for those of us that will inevitably face future fire threats,” said Tom Tietz, executive director of the California Nevada Cement Association.

“We know there are debates, trade-offs and intense conversations happening on these topics, especially among lawmakers, insurance experts and building code officials, but we simply must prioritize the ways communities can withstand changing climate patterns and natural disasters,” said NRMCA Senior Vice President, Codes and Standards, Shamim Rashid-Sumar. “We believe showing why building with non-combustible materials is the best overall path forward given all the natural disasters and emergencies we must prepare for is an issue worth championing.”

The Building With Resilience effort will engage lawmakers, communities and citizens to increase awareness and education, and consolidate resources for experts seeking information on the highest levels of structural durability, strategies for slowing wildfire spread and increase building sustainably. The initiative’s mission also includes fostering cross-sector collaboration that advances safer, more sustainable practices for building and rebuilding homes, commercial structures and infrastructure.

For more information, e-mail spridmore@calcima.org or call 310-293-0286.