Florida lawmakers and code policy officials have questioned the state’s approach to building codes in the wake of Hurricane Michael.
The Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 155 mph, decimated coastal areas of the Florida Panhandle. Statewide codes have hurricane-resilient provisions, but they vary by region.
New office buildings and homes in Miami-Dade County must be designed to withstand winds around 175 mph. Along the stretch of the Panhandle hit hardest by Michael, though, the design standard varies from 120 mph to 150 mph.
In hard-hit Mexico Beach, some homes constructed under the latest code instituted in 2002 were destroyed. Code requirements have been based on storm history and the likelihood of future hurricanes striking a particular area. The Panhandle had seen few big storms since the 1800s, and Michael is the first known Category 4 hurricane to strike the region. Lawmakers and code officials now say codes may have to be strengthened in the northern part of the state.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Feb 16, 2016
Obama establishes federal earthquake risk management standard
The standard requires federal agencies to use earthquake-resistant design provisions in current building codes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2016
ISO releases national assessment and state-by-state building codes evaluation
Report covers 87% of U.S. population.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2016
Huge fraud case involving alleged engineering impostors uncovered in California
Hundreds of buildings may have to be demolished.
Codes and Standards | Feb 11, 2016
New York governor makes emergency design-build authorization
The declaration was issued in response to Winter Storm Jonas which dumped over 18 inches of snow in parts of the state.
Green | Jan 29, 2016
USGBC names top 10 states for LEED green building
Illinois leads the list for the third straight year.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2016
Dept. of Energy releases decision guides for plug and process loads
Plug and process loads consume about 30% of the primary energy in U.S. commercial buildings today.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
ConsensusDocs releases new multi-party IPD agreement and joining agreement
The documents serve as a comprehensive revision of previous IPD agreement
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
State Savings Calculator analyzes savings associated with energy codes
The calculator breaks down the cost-effectiveness of energy codes on a state-by-state basis.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
Metal Roofing Seaming Guide published by Metal Construction Association
The free document is specifically tailored for metal roof installation.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
Treasury Dept. will start crackdown on illicit money in luxury real estate
The move is expected to impact high-end condo development.
