Building Safety Week is an opportunity for us to recognize not only the volume of services that our building experts provide to the community, but also the important role that they play in keeping us safe at home, at work, and when we're out enjoying ourselves. In 2007, the Bureau’s team of 21 commercial and residential building inspectors provided 87,713 inspections to the public. In 96% of these cases, the inspection was provided within 24 hours of request. At our 4th floor Development Services Counter, staff provided assistance to over 73,000 residents and others seeking building assistance. Building bureau staff are the silent force working behind the scenes to keep the public free from harm. When building and fire prevention experts inspect buildings during and after construction, they help to ensure that the places where you live, work and play are safe. Building and fire prevention codes address all aspects of construction, such as structural soundness of buildings, reliability of fire prevention and suppression systems, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency and sustainability. Public safety is the number one concern - building and fire prevention officials are here to help protect you and your loved ones all year long. Building Safety Week, first observed in 1980, is sponsored by the International Code Council, a membership organization dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, of which Long Beach is an active member. The International Code Council develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes—building safety codes developed by the International Code Council. For more information about the Long Beach Building Bureau, visit http://lbds.longbeach.gov or call (562) 570-LBDS. Sincerely,
Craig A. Beck, Director
Long Beach Development Services | 
