Insurers to Build Natural Disaster Research Center

The insurance industry is preparing to build a state-of-the-art applied research facility that will use science and technology to expand capabilities to create more durable homes and businesses and reduce the costs of natural disasters.

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), an insurance industry-supported nonprofit engineering and communications group in Tampa, Fla., will construct the Insurance Center for Building Safety Research with funds from its insurer and reinsurer members.

IBHS is currently evaluating several potential sites for the center, which it anticipates will require about a 100-acre parcel. Selection criteria include a mild climate to allow for year-round research activities as well as access to significant amounts of electricity through a plant or substation. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year.

The center will feature full-scale testing of buildings and construction components. A two-track research program will address catastrophic issues, such as high winds and wind-driven water intrusion, earthquakes and hail, as well as more isolated, but expensive, maintenance-related issues like plumbing system failure and interior fires.

Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO, said the first priority would be roofing performance issues. IBHS estimates that roof damage is present in 95 percent of properties that suffer wind and water-related losses.