re # 2:
I would think that generally our codes here are sufficient, based on what we know. If new evidence is provided and proven adaptations are quite fast put into force.
Around 1.5 years ago after the heavy snow falls in Canterbury the regulation for snow loads have been amended within a very sort time!
However nothing and no one can forbid the owner of a building to do more than the code requires. Depending on the situation I do not consider that overenigineering.
It is like the tread depth for the tyres on your car where there is a minimum given in the code but you may choose to have more.
And there it is very similar: If the code required a deeper tread more accidents, injuries and fatalities could (have) been avoided!