Governor Hickenlooper has declared May, 2016 as Colorado Building Safety Month. This month brings recognition to the work of architects, engineers, and construction workers, as well as fire prevention professionals, to reduce risk of structure fire, collapse, flooding, airborne pollutants, and other potential injury-causing structural defects and problems.
In our library you can read more about what the State of Colorado is doing to make sure our buildings are safe and sound, including safety standards and regulation of the building design and construction professions. Start by visiting the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control’s Fire and Life Safety webpage, which includes information on building fire suppression systems, the Hotel/Motel Fire Safety Act, permitting and inspection information, and more. Then be sure to check out these publications available from our library:
Asbestos:
- Asbestos and the Northwest Neighborhood at Lowry. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, 2003.
- Asbestos Bans. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, 2006.
- Building Renovation and Demolition: What You Need to Know. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2006.
- General Information on Asbestos. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, 2006.
- Sunset Review, Colorado Asbestos Control Act. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, 2012.
- What is Asbestos and Why Should I Be Concerned About It? Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, 2009.
Carbon monoxide:
- Carbon Monoxide Alarms. Colorado Legislative Council, 2009.
- Preventing Carbon Monoxide Problems. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.
- Indoor Hazards. Colorado Division of Housing, 2002.
Case studies:
- Building Code Enforcement Following Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 1991.
- Case Study of the Enactment of a State Building Code in South Carolina. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 1998.
- Hurricane Damage to Residential Structures: Risk and Mitigation. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 1996.
- The Hyatt Skywalk Disaster and Other Lessons in the Regulation of Building. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 1995.
- Preliminary Assessment of Damage to Engineered Structures Caused by Hurricane Andrew in California. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 1993.
- Real Estate Agents and Special Studies Zones Disclosure: The Response of California Home Buyers to Earthquake Hazards Information. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 1981.
- Vulnerability of Reinforced Concrete Frame Buildings and their Occupants in the 2009 L’Aquila, Italy Earthquake. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 2009.
Electrical/wiring:
- Homeowner Permits. Colorado State Electrical Board, 2012.
- Mobile Homes/Manufactured Homes. Colorado State Electrical Board, 2005.
- Sunset Review, Colorado Electrical Board. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, 2009.
Fire prevention:
- Facility Fire Appendix Development Toolkit for Health Care Facilities in Colorado. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2008.
- FireWise Construction. Colorado State Forest Service, 2012.
- Forest Home Fire Safety. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1999.
- Photoelectric and Ionization Smoke Alarms, Colorado Division of Fire Safety, 2006.
- Structure Fire Causes. Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Annual.
- Sunrise Review, Colorado Fire Suppression System Program. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, 2004.
Flooding:
- After the Flood: A Guide to Returning to Your Home and Cleaning Up. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2014.
- Colorado Floodproofing Manual. Colorado Water Conservation Board, 1986.
- Flood Hazard Information Disclosure by Realtors. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 1985.
- Floodproof Retrofitting: Homeowner Self-Protective Behavior. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, 1991.
Government buildings:
- Building Code Compliance: Coordination of Approved Building Codes, Plan Reviews and Building Inspections. Colorado Office of the State Architect, 2008.
- Colorado State Capitol Historic Structure Assessment, State Historical Fund, 2006.
Home safety, general:
- Improving Home Safety for Seniors, Colorado State University Extension, 2011.
- Is Your Home a Healthy Home? Colorado State University Extension, 2009.
Lead-based paint:
- Approved Encapsulant Products for Lead-Based Paint Activities. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 1999.
- Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Waste Management. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, 2002.
- Lead-Based Paint Hazards and Regulation Requirements, Colorado Division of Housing, 2005.
- Lead-Based Paint in Homes. Colorado State University Extension, 2012.
Licensing and regulation of professions:
- Handbook for Building Officials. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, 2003.
- Verify a Colorado Professional or Business License. Database. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Regulated professions include architects, electrical, plumbing, professional engineers, etc.
Radon:
- Preventing Radon Problems in the Home. Colorado State University Extension, 2012.
- Radon, the Invisible Killer. DVD. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2006.
- Radon in the Home. Colorado State University Extension, 2007.
- Radon in New Home Construction: A Guide for Installing Affordable Radon Control Systems in New Homes. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, 2007.
- Radon-Resistant Construction Techniques for New Residential Construction. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, 1991.
School facilities:
- Colorado Schools Facility and Safety Priorities, Colorado Department of Education, 2008.
- School Safety Assistance Guide. Colorado Department of Public Safety, 2010.
Swelling soils/subsidence (earth movements):
- Bentonite Soils and the Colorado Homeowner. Colorado Geological Survey, 1987.
- Building on Expansive Soils. Colorado State University Civil Engineering Department, 1983.
- Caulking Cracks and Openings in the Home. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1982.
- A Guide to Swelling Soils for Colorado Homebuyers and Homeowners. Colorado Geological Survey, 2007.
- Home Construction on Shrinking and Swelling Soils. Colorado Geological Survey, 1978.
- Home Landscaping and Maintenance on Swelling Soil. Colorado Geological Survey, 1987.
- Homeowner Tips in Mine Subsidence Areas. Colorado Division of Minerals & Geology, 2006.
- Nature’s Building Codes: Geology and Construction in Colorado. Colorado Geological Survey, 1979.
- Soil and Bedrock Conditions and Construction Considerations, North-Central Douglas County, Colorado. Colorado Geological Survey, 2002.
- Subsidence Above Inactive Coal Mines: Information for the Homeowner. Colorado Geological Survey, 2009.
- When the Ground Lets You Down: Ground Settlement and Subsidence Hazards in Colorado. Colorado Geological Survey, 2001.
Wood burning stoves:
- Wood for Home Heating: How to Install a Wood Burning System Correctly and Safely. Colorado Office of Energy Conservation, 1981.
- Using Coal and Wood Stoves Safely. Colorado Office of Energy Conservation, 1974.
You can also view our collection of building codes in our Incorporated by Reference collection, which are materials pertaining to specific rules in the Colorado Code of Regulations.
Read the Governor’s Proclamation (PDF).
Former Technical Services Librarian at State Publications Library
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