Climate change is making design and construction more challenging and increasing the potential for lawsuits against building teams, according to insurance experts.
Building to code is not enough to reduce liability because codes have not kept up with the rapid climate changes that are making extreme weather more common. Courts expect contractors and designers to keep up to date with trends in climate science that can impact their projects.
Building teams are not expected to design and build structures for long-term climate change, but those that adapt to current and foreseeable conditions have a better chance of defending their actions in court.
When considering climate impacts, building teams should also factor in the effects of their projects on adjacent properties. They should also consider the impact of projects on vulnerable populations as they have fewer resources to adapt to climate change.
Related Stories
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 25, 2012
Las Vegas building codes may thwart innovative shipping container development
A developer wants to build a commercial development out of steel shipping containers in Las Vegas, but city codes would have to be altered or the project would have to obtain waivers for it to receive the cityās go-ahead.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| May 10, 2012
Fire suppression agents go greener
Environmental sensitivity is helping to drive adoption of new fire suppression agents.
| May 3, 2012
Stay current on green codes at AGC Environmental Conference
Keep abreast of market trends such as 2012 changes to green standards and codes at the AGC Contractors Environmental Conference, June 7-8, 2012 in Arlington, Va.
| Apr 19, 2012
Washington city may base building code on rising sea level due to global warming
Aberdeen may become the first city in Washington to base a building code on rising oceans and global warming.
| Apr 19, 2012
CSI webinar on energy codes and building envelopes
This seminar will review recent changes in energy codes, examples of building enclosure wall assemblies for code compliance, potential moisture management and durability challenges, and design tools to assess and minimize potential problems.
| Apr 13, 2012
CSI webinar: Green Construction Codes Are Here -- Now What?
This seminar will trace the origins of green codes, how they compare and differ from the rating systems that have been used, and examine some of their main features.
| Apr 5, 2012
Florida ranks first in hurricane building codes and enforcement
Florida ranks highest among 18 hurricane-region states for building codes and their enforcement, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.
| Apr 5, 2012
New IgCC green building code is a āgame changer,ā AIA official says
An AIA official calls the new International Green Construction Code (IgCC) a āgame changerā for sustainable construction.