IBHS starts construction of state-of-the-art disaster safety research facility in South Carolina

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has officially broke ground for its disaster safety research center in Chester County, South Carolina. This unique lab will have the ability to subject full-sized, 2,000 square foot, one- and two-story homes, light commercial construction and agricultural buildings to a variety of hazards, including realistic Category 3 hurricanes, wind-blown fire (mimicking wildfire embers), and hailstorms.

The primary purpose of this $40 million multi-peril research facility – funded entirely by property insurance companies, reinsurers and brokers – is to identify effective methods of minimizing risk and loss to homes, businesses, and communities resulting from natural disasters.

“When finished next year, this research facility will effectively represent a quantum leap forward for building science,” notes Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO. “IBHS will be able to meticulously recreate a variety of natural catastrophes in a very controlled, repeatable environment. This will allow us to identify and evaluate various building material and construction techniques and systems in ways that have only been dreamed of by scientists, public policymakers and industry for many years.”

IBHS has installed a Web camera at the construction site, which takes photos every 15 minutes and provides time lapse capabilities to see the progress of the facility's construction over time. Click here to view the latest photos: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/ibhs/catastrophelab

•Date: 18th Sept 2009• Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: BC facilities
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