Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report

This interim report quantifies the national economic benefits of exceeding select provisions in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC). It analyzes the benefit-cost ratios of mitigation strategies for new construction and federally funded mitigation grants, focusing on reducing deaths, injuries, repair costs, and economic losses from natural hazards. The report provides hazard-specific benefit-cost ratios for riverine flooding, hurricane surge, wind, earthquake, and wildland-urban interface fire, and highlights mitigation techniques such as elevating buildings, hurricane shutters, and fire-resistant roofing. The findings are intended for decision-makers and professionals involved in building design, construction, and community resilience planning.