Storm & Security

IN/BOX StormEXPO Set for May 2 Storm & Security Protection magazine presents its first StormEXPO, May 2, 2013, at the B Ocean Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, FL. StormEXPO will feature premier product exhibit booths and tabletop displays showcasing products, tools and equipment for designing, building and retrofitting safe and secure homes, commercial properties and businesses. A seminar program, led by acknowledged experts and industry leaders, will cover topics dealers and installers will need to know to prepare for changes ahead and to build a successful business. A special group rate is available at the B Ocean Hotel. For more information contact Kerri Caldwell at 773-775-9293, kcaldwell@kasnicmedia.com, or see info in this issue. Sandy Costs AIG $2 Billion American International Group, Inc. (AIG), New York, NY, reported $2 billion in catastrophe losses from Storm Sandy, nearly half of its reported overall $4.4 billion loss for the fourth quarter 2012. AIG Property Casualty reported in February its $2 billion losses were offset by $1 billion in operating income, which reflected "improved underwriting margins" and its continued move to "shift its mix of business to higher value products and regions." Commercial insurance took the biggest hit, AIG reported, with a fourth quarter 2012 operating loss of $857 million. May: Building Safety Month 2013 May is slated as Building Safety Month 2013 by the International Code Council (ICC). This year!s theme is: Code Officials Keep You Safe. Each week of Building Safety Month spotlights a specific area of building safety: • May 6–12: Fire Safety and Awareness • May 13–19: Disaster Safety and Mitigation • May 20–26: Backyard and Pool Safety • May 27–31: Energy and Green Building The idea behind Building Safety Month is to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create and maintain safe, sustainable and resilient homes and buildings. The campaign reinforces the need for adoption of modern, model building codes; a strong and efficient system of code enforcement; and a well-trained, professional workforce to maintain the system. Resources are being offered to assist businesses in promoting Building Safety Month, including a template news release, kids! activity books and stickers, posters and brochures. The items will be available as free, downloadable tools on the ICC Web site. Home Remodeling Recovery Underway All signs point to a strong rebound for home improvement ccactivity in 2013, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released in mid-January by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Robust spending in the second half of 2012 suggests the remodeling recovery is already underway, and the LIRA projects annual homeowner improvement spending will see accelerating double-digit growth through the third quarter 2013. "The solid momentum behind home building activity, existing home sales, low 6 financing costs, and remodeling contractor sentiment all point to a solid start to the new year for home improvement spending," said Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center. ICC Celebrates 10th Anniversary The International Code Council (ICC) marks its 10-year milestone this year. On February 1, 2003, three regional code organizations—Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI)—began operating as one consolidated association: the International Code Council. The three model code organizations brought a combined 190 years of code development experience into one association to produce codes that are now used across the United States and around the globe. Prior to the ICC, the construction industry faced the challenge, and cost, of building to different codes in different areas of the country. Louisiana's Hurricane Isaac Aid Hits Half-Billion-Dollar Mark State and federal recovery from Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana has hit a new milestone, topping half a billion dollars since the August 29, 2012, disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states. The total includes more than $129.6 million in grants from FEMA!s Individual Assistance (IA) program, more than $160 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and nearly $214.5 million in reimbursements to state agencies and local governments from FEMA!s Public Assistance (PA) program. "This money has provided a crucial boost to Louisiana as residents and communities rebuild, recover and look ahead to the future," said Gerard M. Stolar, FEMA federal coordinating officer PA funds obligated so far have helped the state replenish dollars it spent to protect Louisianans before, during and after the storm and to remove tons of disaster-created debris. It also reimburses municipalities for repairs to disaster-damaged infrastructure. WDMA Sets National Policy Agenda The Window Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), Washington, DC, is targeting building codes, building safety, tax policy and job creation among the top priorities of its 2013 legislative and regulatory policy agenda. As the U.S. economy continues its gradual recovery, WDMA has outlined eight policy areas for the window, door and skylight industry it says will aid in the recovery of the housing and construction industries. "Manufacturers are trying to ramp up their factories again, but policymakers need to know that overly-burdensome regulations and continued uncertainty about the fiscal priorities of Congress and the administration continue to threaten the burgeoning economic recovery. In the 2013 WDMA National Policy Agenda, our members have laid out proposals that will boost national energy efficiency, promote smart tax policy, and support quality manufacturing jobs in our communities," said WDMA Chair Ann Duebner, vice president of sales and administration, Eggers Industries, STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / 2013 DIRECTORY & RESOURCE GUIDE

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