Building Safety Month 2026, led by the International Code Council (ICC), will take place throughout May 2026 under the theme “Built to Last.” This campaign focuses on how modern building codes, safety professionals, and resilient construction measures protect communities worldwide.
Purpose and Key Messaging
This month‑long initiative highlights the essential role of building codes and safety practices in ensuring safe homes and resilient communities. ICC emphasizes that while May raises awareness, building safety remains a year‑round commitment among code professionals, local governments, and industry stakeholders.
Weekly Themes
Week 1 (May 1–10): Safe Homes, Strong Communities
Encourages homeowners to take simple, practical steps to enhance the safety and resilience of their living spaces.
Week 2 (May 11–17): Voices of the Built Environment
Recognizes code officials, inspectors, engineers, and safety professionals whose work keeps infrastructure safe.
Week 3 (May 18–24): Prepared to Protect
Highlights the importance of disaster‑resilient codes and preparedness in safeguarding people and property during hazardous events.
Week 4 (May 25–31): Communities Without Limits
Promotes accessibility in design and construction, emphasizing inclusive environments for all.
The Importance of A2LA & Accreditation in Building Safety
A critical yet often overlooked pillar of building safety is independent accreditation, especially for special inspections governed by Chapter 17 of the International Building Code (IBC). These inspections ensure that complex and safety‑critical building components—such as structural steel, concrete, fire‑resistant materials, masonry, soil, and seismic systems—are built according to approved design documents and code requirements.
Why Accreditation Matters
Accreditation serves as formal third‑party verification that an inspection agency is technically competent, properly equipped, and organizationally qualified to perform required inspections. This verification ensures:
- Independence and impartiality of inspection agencies
- Technical competence aligned with ISO/IEC 17020
- Consistent use of approved procedures, record‑keeping, and quality systems
- Qualified personnel with appropriate certification and experience
These safeguards directly support the goals of Building Safety Month: ensuring that buildings are not only built to last but also built to the highest safety standards.
A2LA’s Role in Strengthening Building Safety
The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) administers a nationally‑recognized Special Inspections Accreditation Program designed to help jurisdictions confirm that agencies meet the technical and management requirements of IBC Chapter 17.
A2LA accreditation provides:
- Verification of competence in materials testing, installation, fabrication, and erection inspections requiring special expertise
- Assurance of compliance with ISO/IEC 17020:2012 and ILAC P15 requirements
- Jurisdiction‑specific subprograms, such as those recognized by the NYC Department of Buildings and City of Philadelphia, where special inspections are heavily regulated and critical to public safety.
By ensuring agencies consistently meet high technical standards, A2LA accreditation reinforces building departments’ ability to approve and rely on qualified special inspection agencies—an essential part of keeping communities safe and resilient.
How This Ties Into Building Safety Month
In the context of “Built to Last,” the inclusion of A2LA‑accredited special inspection agencies underscores a fundamental truth: Even the best building codes require competent, independent verification to ensure that construction is performed correctly.
Accreditation strengthens:
- Public trust in the safety of buildings
- Code compliance and quality control
- Community resilience, as properly inspected structures perform better under stress
- The entire safety ecosystem that ICC celebrates throughout May
Ways an A2LA CAB Can Participate in Building Safety Month
Offer Facility Tours or “Open Lab” Events
- Invite students, design firms, contractors, or community groups to tour your testing or inspection facility.
- Demonstrate real testing processes such as:
- Concrete or steel testing
- Fire‑resistant materials evaluation
- NDT (non‑destructive testing) demonstrations
- Show how accurate testing supports safer construction.
Publish Case Studies or Technical Articles
- Share anonymized examples of how accredited testing or inspections:
- Identified safety risks early
- Corrected non‑compliant construction before it caused failures
- Improved project outcomes and community resilience
- Submit these to newsletters (local engineering societies, building departments, LinkedIn).
Support Community Preparedness Activities
- Contribute to local disaster‑readiness fairs or emergency‑planning events by:
- Demonstrating how code‑compliant structures perform in storms or earthquakes
- Providing handouts on construction safety for homeowners
- Offering free or discounted safety evaluations for community projects (e.g., shelters, community centers)
Recognize Your Own Inspectors and Technical Staff
- Highlight the contributions of your team members during Week 2 (“Voices of the Built Environment”).
- Share profiles of inspectors, engineers, technicians to raise awareness of their critical roles.
Engage in Public Policy or Code Advocacy
- Participate in local hearings or public comment opportunities.
- Offer expert insight on the importance of adopting updated building codes and requiring accredited special inspections.
Launch a “Community Safety Challenge”
- Encourage:
- Contractors to commit to using accredited inspection agencies
- Homeowners to check critical elements like decks, guardrails, fire safety systems
- Students to submit projects related to structural safety or material science
Learn more about A2LA’s Special Inspections Accreditation Program here: A2LA.org/accreditation/special-inspections. Or, request an accreditation quote today: A2LA.org/estimate-request.