Summary
Makes federal buildings in areas prone to wildfires safer by requiring them to follow specific building rules to better withstand fires.
What problem does this solve?
More buildings are being lost to wildfires because of dry weather and more people living near wild areas. This order makes sure new and updated federal buildings in these risky areas are built to better survive a wildfire, protecting people and property.
What does this order do?
Mandates new building codes for federal construction
Requires all new federal buildings larger than 5,000 square feet in high-risk wildfire areas to follow the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) or a similar set of rules.
Applies safety codes to building alterations
Ensures that major changes to existing federal buildings over 5,000 square feet in high-risk areas also comply with the IWUIC safety standards.
Creates guidelines for agencies
Directs the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group (MitFLG) to create and provide guidelines to help federal agencies understand and follow the new requirements.
Encourages risk assessments and defensible space
Urges agencies to check the wildfire risk of their existing buildings and to create a safety zone (defensible space) around the ones at the highest risk.
Requires progress reports
Makes agencies report their progress on following the order to the MitFLG every two years.
Influences federally-funded projects
Advises agencies that provide federal grants or loans for construction to consider updating their rules to promote wildfire-resistant building practices.
Who does this affect?
- Federal government agencies
- Federal employees working in high-risk areas
- Construction companies working on federal projects
What is the real world impact?
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Protects federal investments and employees
Reduces the risk of damage to government buildings and harm to federal workers from the growing threat of wildfires. This helps ensure government services can continue without interruption and saves taxpayer money on future repairs.
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Sets a standard for wildfire-resilient construction
Encourages safer building practices by making the federal government lead by example. While it doesn't apply to private property, it promotes the use of established safety codes that could influence state and local rules.
When does this start?
This order sets several deadlines for federal agencies to adopt new wildfire safety standards for their buildings.
Creation of implementing guidelines
The Mitigation Framework Leadership Group must create guidelines to help agencies comply with the new codes within 240 days of May 18, 2016.
Compliance deadline for new construction
Agencies must ensure new buildings and alterations follow the safety codes starting 90 days after the implementing guidelines are finished.
Biennial progress reports
Agencies must begin submitting reports on their progress every two years, with the first report due two years after May 18, 2016.