SKOKIE, Ill.—The Gulf Coast should not only be rebuilt strong, but also “green” with energy-efficient homes, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.  However, the same report found that local construction workers’ lack of knowledge about the most effective building methods stands in the way of achieving such improvements.

A new course supported in part by the Portland Cement Association (PCA) aims to change that. Concrete building systems cost-effectively deliver the durability demanded by Gulf Coast home and building owners while at the same time providing an energy-efficient building envelope.

“Disaster Mitigation for Residential Construction,” funded by PCA, the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Concrete Home Building Council, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is a four-hour course designed to furnish builders with an overview of construction techniques and materials to better protect against natural hazards such as hurricanes, tornados, floods, wildfires and earthquakes.  Topics covered during the class include proper installation techniques and product options relating to foundation systems, above-grade walls, roofing systems, door and window openings, roof-to-wall connections, and exterior cladding.  

The mitigation course was developed under the auspices of NAHB’s Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of NAHB.  The insurance industry’s Institute for Business & Home Safety also provided input to the curriculum.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.