May is Building Safety Month

Building Safety Month is an international campaign by the International Code Council that is celebrated in May to raise awareness about building safety, and we are recognizing this important month right here in Bryan. Building Safety Month reinforces the need for the adoption of modern, regularly-updated building codes, and helps individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures.

This year’s Building Safety Month focuses on four themes:

• Energy and innovation
• Building safety careers
• Disaster preparedness
• Water safety

Preparing for natural disasters, building/maintaining sustainable neighborhoods/communities, and promoting safe and healthy environments is a top priority. Disaster mitigation through the adoption and enforcement of building codes is one of the best ways for communities to prepare and protect against future disasters. Homes and buildings that are built in compliance with building safety codes and the officials who enforce the codes are essential to helping communities minimize the risks of death, injury and property damage in the event of a disaster.

• Learn more about Building Safety Month

In Bryan, the city currently has six full-time and one part-time building inspectors who work to ensure new construction and building renovations follow the city’s adopted building codes for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, energy conservation, fuel gas and fire safety. In addition to the building inspectors, Bryan has three plans examiners, a chief building official, and eight administrative assistants to assist with permits and inspections.

In 2021, Bryan saw a record high of 3,527 building permits issued for new structures and additions. That’s nearly 1,000 more than the previous record-setting year. In addition other miscellaneous permits / repair permits, solicitor/vendor permits brings the yearly total number of permits issued to 17,783.

• Read more about this uptick in development

This work could not be done without the following Building Services individuals:

• Derrick Williams, plumbing/mechanical inspector
• Jerry Fagan, building inspector
• Nick Koski, combination inspector
• Kenny Johnson, building inspector
• Josh Hall, electrical inspector
• Chris Mushinski, plumbing/mechanical inspector
• Danny Sikorski, part-time building inspector
• Greg Cox, chief building official

To assist with ensuring that building plans are code compliant before structures are built or improvements are made, the city has three plans examiners:

• Craig Tepera, residential plans examiner
• Karen Lahde, commercial plans examiner
• Priscilla Rios, plans examiner

Permits and inspections would not be possible without the assistance of the following support staff:

• Paige Jackson
• Megan Hancock
• Karen Rudasill
• Joy Teague
• Yajaira Rivera
• Chloe Duarte
• Charmaine McKinzie
• Cheree Peters

• Learn more about the city’s currently adopted codes

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