News
Building Department Accreditation Program Gains Momentum at the Federal Level
By Richard L. F. Archer, Sr.
IAS Accreditation Specialist
International Accreditation Service (IAS) Building Department Accreditation staff and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have discussed the possibility of accredited jurisdictions qualifying for a FEMA National Floodplain Insurance Community Rating System (CRS) rating. The move could result in premium discounts.
In this regard, FEMA invited IAS Building Department Accreditation staff to attend a week-long training seminar on its CRS Program in Orlando, Florida, this July. This is an exciting opportunity to gain deeper insight into the CRS program and determine what enhancements IAS can make to its Building Department Accreditation program to fulfill FEMA requirements. Obviously, there will be a tremendous benefit to IAS accredited jurisdictions should the Building Department Accreditation program staff reach an accord with FEMA.
In separate discussions, the United States Department of State’s Office of Overseas Building Operations recently approached IAS to discuss the possibility of using the accreditation program to evaluate the building practices of consulates and embassies abroad. IAS may provide an independent, third-party review. Discussions between the Department of State and IAS will continue.
It is interest such as the initiatives highlighted above, as well as the growing demand at the state and local level, that further validates the importance and need for building department accreditation. Check the IAS website for updates on these important initiatives.