IBHS News Releases

Paterson, NJ – The first Fortified…for safer living® home in New Jersey is now complete and ready to open its doors to demonstrate safe, durable construction.

Fortified…for safer living® is the national disaster-resistant new home designation of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a nonprofit organization funded by insurers to reduce property losses. "Fortified" techniques and construction materials raise a home’s overall disaster resistance above the minimum requirement of building codes.

IBHS has granted the "Fortified" designation to the BASF Near Zero Energy Home in Paterson.   It is designed to withstand 130 m.p.h. wind speeds, has higher than locally required design pressure rated windows and doors, and roofing materials that provide resistance to ice dams, water penetration, high winds and hail.

“When you think about disasters, New Jersey isn’t top-of-mind,” said Chuck Vance, IBHS Fortified Program Manager.  “But there is risk in every part of the country, and here the greatest concerns are high wind and severe winter weather.  ‘Fortified’ criteria builds-in protection and offers homeowners peace of mind.”

The official ribbon cutting will be held Wednesday, April 26, beginning at 11 a.m., with tours immediately following.  The address is 262 E. 29th Street in Paterson.  Parking is limited. There is shuttle service from a satellite lot at 42 East 30th Street to the house.

With the expansion into New Jersey, there are now nearly 1,000 “Fortified” homes in nine states.  Standards vary according to the specific natural perils in each region of the country.

Strength is just one of many features of the "Fortified" home.  As part of BASF’s Better Home, Better Planet Initiative, the Near Zero Energy Home is also designed to be super energy efficient, environmentally friendly, healthy for occupants, and affordable.

“By using these high-performance building systems, we’re not only getting a very strong house, but also a super energy efficient house,” said Jack Armstrong, who is spearheading construction for BASF. “It’s really worthwhile to go all the way to reap all these other benefits.”

Mr. Vance will explain the "Fortified" program during a series of mini-seminars following the ribbon cutting.  Attendees will learn about various techniques and materials that can be used to increase disaster-resistance in new homes, and about other aspects of the BASF Near Zero Energy Home. 

For more information on the BASF Near Zero Energy Home, visit www.betterhomebetterplanet.com.

For more information on the Fortified…for safer living® program,  click here.