GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES

No. 45 Estate Mars Hill, Frederiksted
St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00840

Division of Building Permits

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday - April 29, 2008

DPNR’S Division Of Building Permits Celebrates “Building Safety Week”

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the Division of Building Permits is celebrating the 28th annual “Building Safety Week” from Monday May 5 through Friday, May 9, 2008.

Building Safety Week raises public awareness of critical building safety issues affecting every person, regardless of age or occupation. This week is sponsored by the International Code Council, a membership organization dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, of which the Virgin Islands 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, countries and states choose the building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.

The theme for this year is “Building Safety: Where You Live, Work and Play.” “The important work we do is often overlooked until a catastrophic tragedy occurs,” said Division of Permits’ Territorial Director Maureen Burke-Ventura, AIA. “When building safety and fire prevention experts inspect buildings during and after construction, we help to ensure that the places where you live, learn, work and play are safe.”

To help raise local awareness, the Division of Building Permits, will promote the use and understanding of building safety and fire prevention codes with a plethora of activities this week. The celebration will commence with an opening ceremony on Monday, May 5, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Florence Williams Library on St. Croix. Local safety and inspection experts will be guest speakers.

The full week of activities include:

• Monday, May 5, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Opening ceremony at the Florence Williams Library on St. Croix. Local safety and inspection experts will be guest speakers.

• Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. - Comprehensive presentation on Building permits and building safety in our community will be given to students at St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center.

• Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Director Maureen Burke-Ventura and staff will appear on the Sam Topp Talk Show to discuss Building Safety issues.

• Thursday, May 8, 2008 - Inspection agency Krause Manning and Permits staff will take Charlotte Amalie students on a tour of the Marriot Frenchmen’s Cove construction site at different stages of development.

• Friday, May 9, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - The Division of Permits in conjunction with Home Depot will have an educational outreach from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the stores premises. Brochures and literature on building safety and fire prevention tips for homes and families, tips on mold prevention and control, and the benefits of building permits will be on hand.

“Public safety is our number one concern,” said Burke-Ventura. “During Building Safety Week and all year long, building safety and fire prevention officials are here to help protect you and the Virgin Islands community.” For more information on building permits or building safety issues contact the Division of Building Permits at 774-3320 on St. Thomas and 773-1082 on St. Croix.