Program areas at Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Research Center Projects: At the unique, world-class IBHS Research Center in South Carolina, IBHS conducts a variety of tests to examine the impact of wind, fire, hail, and wind-driven water on both residential and commercial structures. The multi-faceted research approach includes: full-scale testing of one- and two-story test specimens; physical testing of individual structural components and building systems; and, evaluation of existing/potential test methods and metrics. Transparent, objective research methodologies are utilized. Research Center staff coordinates and leverages Institute resources through partnerships with manufacturers, trade groups and other scientists and research organizations.
Product Development: IBHS has a robust communications function product development capability that builds upon our research capabilities. By translating technical research findings into guidance for homeowners and businesses. In this way, we work to motivate action by educating stakeholders about practical and cost-effective ways to increase the resilience of both residential and commercial structures. Each year, the Institute creates a substantial amount of original data and other types of content. This information is pushed outward to the public through IBHS member companies, via the IBHS Web site, and utilizing both digital and traditional media outlets. Costs associated with this work all fall within the IBHS annual budget's personnel, printing, graphics, and IT expense items. No revenue is generated by this work.
FORTIFIED Programs: IBHS has developed and promulgated a set of science-based, hazard-specific building design, repair, and retrofitting standards for residential and commercial construction. Further development of individual standards is ongoing, and IBHS is in the midst of working to scale up our hurricane standard for new and existing site-site built, manufactured, and modular homes - while maintaining quality control over the standard and designation process. Total expense for this work in 2022 was confined to the IBHS annual budget in the form of personnel, IT, and travel costs.