News

NEW YORK, NY June 23, 2005 —Federal investigators will release their recommendations today for making tall buildings safer, following their study of the 2001 World Trade Center collapse.

The recommendations will take a broad look at building safety. They're expected to focus on fireproofing and evacuation procedures that can help buildings and their occupants survive a terrorist attack or a fire.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology says all of its recommendations are achievable - not pie in the sky. It is calling on state and local governments to implement its suggestions. New York City tried to get a head start by amending its 1968 building code last year.

New buildings are no longer allowed to stack their stairwells close together, like those in the Trade Center. And all tall buildings must be retrofitted to include sprinkler systems by 2019.