Earthquake Standard EO (E.O. 13717)

Summary

Makes federal buildings stronger and safer by requiring them to follow updated earthquake-resistant building codes.

What problem does this solve?

Many federal buildings were not built to the same strong earthquake safety rules, putting people and government work at risk. This order creates one main standard for all federal buildings to follow, making them safer and better able to withstand earthquakes.

What does this order do?

Sets new building codes for new federal buildings

Requires all new federal buildings to follow the 2015 International Building Code or International Residential Code to make them earthquake-resistant.

Updates safety rules for existing federal buildings

Makes agencies adopt the 'Standards of Seismic Safety for Existing Federally Owned and Leased Buildings' to manage earthquake risks in older buildings.

Creates a committee to oversee earthquake safety

Gives the Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction (ICSSC), led by NIST, the job of creating and updating safety guidelines for all agencies.

Appoints agency safety coordinators

Requires every federal agency to name a Seismic Safety Coordinator who is in charge of making sure the agency follows this order.

Cancels older earthquake safety orders

Replaces two older executive orders from 1990 and 1994 with this new, updated standard for earthquake safety.

Allows exemptions for national security

Lets agency heads skip these rules for certain buildings if it is necessary for important law enforcement or national security reasons.

Who does this affect?

Federal government agencies
Federal employees
Construction industry

What is the real world impact?

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Protects federal workers and the public

Ensures that government buildings are safe places to work and visit, especially in areas where earthquakes are common. This helps prevent injuries and save lives during a disaster.

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Keeps the government running after a disaster

Makes sure that important government services can continue without interruption after an earthquake by protecting the buildings where this work happens.

When does this start?

This order sets several deadlines for agencies and takes effect starting February 2, 2016.

Agency safety coordinator designation

Within 30 days (by March 3, 2016), agencies must name their Seismic Safety Coordinator.

Adoption of new building codes

Within 90 days (by May 2, 2016), agencies must start using the 2015 building codes for all new construction projects.

Adoption of existing building standards

Within 90 days (by May 2, 2016), agencies must adopt the safety standards for existing federal buildings.

Issuance of implementation guidelines

Within 8 months (by October 2, 2016), NIST must issue guidelines to help agencies follow the order.

First progress report

Starting 2 years from the order's date (by February 2, 2018), agencies must report their progress to OMB and NIST every two years.