2001

Safe Buildings

Safe Buildings

The 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 heightened the need for greater safety in building design and construction. Engineers studied the collapse of the World Trade Center to understand how buildings fail. Based on these findings, they developed “intelligent” concrete that can withstand compression pressure four times that of traditional concrete.

 

A number of other changes were implemented by the International Code Council (ICC), an association that develops standards for the design and construction of safe and sustainable buildings. These changes included standards for wider exits and stairways to speed evacuation, improved fire-proofing, a new class of elevators for emergency responders, and enhanced coverage for emergency radio communications.

 

At the same time, the U.S. government implemented new laws that increased the collection of data on individuals and created new agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

SHIFTING THE BUILT WORLD’S PARADIGM

Drill down to understand the resulting stakeholder needs

Business needs

Stronger, more durable buildings that can withstand attacks and help streamline occupier evacuation, heightened physical security to help protect structures from physical attack, and identifying and tracking who enters and exits a building.

Human needs

After the 9/11 attacks, safety became a top concern for office workers as well as travelers; the focus on home life, family, and patriotism increased, but did not quell anxieties concerning potential future terrorist attacks. 

Community needs

Improved emergency response and communications capabilities helped unite communities and prepare for potential attacks.