The collapse of a condominium tower in Surfside, Fla., has spurred regulators and insurers to more carefully scrutinize the condition of other high-rise residential dwellings.
Miami-Dade County has increased oversight of buildings undergoing the mandatory 40-year recertification process. Residents of a residential tower in North Miami Beach were ordered to evacuate the structure after a review of a recent engineering report warned of safety concerns.
In San Francisco, media reports raised renewed concerns over the safety of the 58-story Millennium Tower, which has tilted and sunk 18-inches since its opening in 2009. The engineer for that structure says, however, that it was built to a more stringent standard and that comparisons with the Surfside tower are unfounded.
Insurers have demanded that several condo associations show proof of current inspections, according to the Miami Herald. The New York Times reported that Miami-Dade County officials were investigating 24 multistory buildings that failed 40-year inspections or hadn’t submitted required documentation.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2017
New ISO standard on video fire detectors will help identify fires more quickly
The standard marks the first comprehensive international specification for this equipment.
Codes and Standards | Jul 25, 2017
Geotechnical solutions prevent building distress due to expansive clay soils
The condition is the most common geologic hazard in the U.S.
Codes and Standards | Jul 24, 2017
Non-union labor gaining ground in New York City
President of contractors’ group says competitive pricing is spurring more open shops.
Codes and Standards | Jul 20, 2017
New tallest tower west of the Mississippi built to stringent seismic standards
L.A.’s new 1,100-foot skyscraper dominates city’s skyline.
Codes and Standards | Jul 20, 2017
Chicago rises to the top of U.S. cities in percentage of LEED or Energy Star office buildings
Certified office buildings reach 66% in windy city.
Codes and Standards | Jul 19, 2017
Economic impacts of climate change will jump over next two decades
Average annual cost to buildings and infrastructure from eastern storms to rise by $7.3 billion.
Codes and Standards | Jul 18, 2017
Energy modeling yields accuracy within 4%, says new study
Results of the study support the usefulness of the practice.
Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2017
Net Zero Energy rebranded as ‘Zero Energy’
ILF aims to make new certification the sole standard for highest performing buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2017
New York City creates $10 million fund to help women- and minority-owned firms win construction contracts
The money is earmarked for up to $500,000 surety bonds per contract.
Codes and Standards | Jul 12, 2017
New International Building Code allows weather-resistive barriers above 40 feet
Danger of propagating flames now deemed negligible.