Contact:

Erik Rancatore

773.750.3460 (mobile)

International Builders' Show 2015 Press Kit

Visit the PCA booth (P17) at the 2015 International Builders' Show, January 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and learn how safe rooms can add protection to new and existing construction.

Tornado Safe Room Showcase

Residential safe rooms are becoming more popular as families seek protection from violent tornadoes and hurricanes. Almost every state in the U.S. is subject to tornadoes, hurricanes, or both. The extreme winds that accompany these storms can cause extensive damage to buildings and threaten the lives of building occupants. Safe rooms designed to Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) guidelines provide near-absolute protection from wind forces of up to 250 mph and from the impact of windborne debris. We invite builders, design professionals, local officials and homeowners to visit our outdoor exhibits to learn more about the most current approaches for building safe rooms that meet the FEMA guidelines.

Press Releases

PCA Forecast Sees Housing Construction Increases for Nevada in 2015

Stronger construction spending in the housing market is on the horizon in 2015 for Nevada, despite lingering foreclosures that need to be removed from bank books.Full story

International Builders’ Show to Feature U.S. Residential Forecast, Importance of Tornado Safe Rooms

Significant announcements regarding the immediate future of residential construction in the United States and the growing need for residential and community tornado safe rooms will be made at the upcoming 2015 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Full story

IBS 2015 Fact Sheets

Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for Your Home or Small Business

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Build It Better With Concrete

Concrete can play a vitalrole in providing strongerhomes, businesses, andcommunities. Build withconcrete and enjoy peaceof mind knowing you areproviding unsurpassedsafety for the building’soccupants.
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Resilient Communities Start With More Durable Buildings

A town or city that featuresstronger, better builtbuildings, and the roadsand services that supportthem is truly resilient. Itsleadership recognizesthe value of planning forpotential disasters and hastaken steps to ensure thecommunity has the abilityto survive with less lossof housing, employment,and critical services.
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Preparing For The True Impact of Natural Disasters

Imagine standing in your home and reaching down to touch your toes. The risk offalling over exists, but your chance of injury is quite small. Now think about doingthe same thing while standing at the top of a five-story building.
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Residential Tornado Safe Room Doors

Residential safe rooms are becoming more popular as familiesseek protection from violent tornadoes. Like any other room,safe rooms must be accessed through an opening or door. Justas the walls and roof of a safe room are designed and builtto protect against extreme winds and wind-borne debris, somust the safe room door.
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Residential Safe Rooms

Every year, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other extreme windstorms injure and kill people, and cause millions of dollars worth of property damage in the United States. Most homes, even new ones constructed according to current building codes, do not provide adequate protection for occupants seeking refuge from these events.
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Tornado Safe Room Door Infographic

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Biographies of On-Site IBS Spokespersons:

Edward J. Sullivanisthe PCA Chief Economist and Group Vice President. He heads PCA’s Market Intelligence, Market Development, Communications, Codes and Standards, as well as PCA’s Research and Technical efforts as group vice president. While as chief economist, he directs all PCA’s assessments for target markets and provides forecast guidance on the economy, cement consumption, and the construction industry for the U.S. and internationally.

With more than 35 years’ experience of industrial economic analysis in support of senior executives, Sullivan has played a role in several U.S. government trade policy decisions and PCA environmental efforts. He testified on behalf of the industry before Congress and engaged in policy discussions with the Executive Branch regarding the application of MIT sustainability research.

Donn C. Thompson, AIA, CGP, LEEP AP BD+C,is Director of Market Development for the Portland Cement Association (PCA) with responsibility for coordinating promotion strategies for various targeted markets for concrete products and systems.

Donn conducts presentations nationwide on various aspects of building sustainably with concrete as well as advocacy on behalf of stronger building codes. He has been active in the concrete industry for more than 17 years with extensive field experience with concrete systems, having served as an on-site contractor trainer for a variety of residential and commercial projects.