Building codes set the minimum standard for construction. Most jurisdictions adopt updated model codes from the International Code Council every three to six years. Modern codes have improved significantly, but enforcement is chronically underfunded and inconsistent across jurisdictions. The gap between what the code requires and what actually gets built is where most preventable damage happens.
FORTIFIED goes beyond code by adding construction requirements and independent third-party verification to ensure compliance. The result is a home or building that is significantly more likely to survive a severe event intact, reducing damage, lowering insurance costs, and getting families back inside faster.
The Code Supplement
SHA and IBHS developed a free Construction Code Supplement to bridge the gap between existing International Codes and the FORTIFIED standard. Written in ordinance format, it is designed to be adopted directly alongside local building codes.
Two versions are available. The Coastal Construction Code Supplement addresses hurricane risk for coastal communities. The Construction Code Supplement addresses the high wind, hail, and tornado risks in inland communities. Both are beyond-code additions to the locally adopted International Residential Code.
The Supplement is proven in practice. The City of Fairhope, Baldwin County, Mobile County, and the City of Mobile have all adopted it, and it now covers over 70% of coastal Alabama. The results are documented. During Hurricane Sally, Fairhope generated just 3% construction and demolition debris compared to total storm debris, a direct reflection of how well structures held when the code supplement was in place. Any jurisdiction can implement it.
