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 | Jun 8, 2020
Reopened offices raise liability risk for businesses and owners
Risks may not be covered by property insurance.
Codes and Standards | Jun 4, 2020
American Wood Council updates report on fire resistance of wood members and assemblies
Provides new examples and background on mass timber calculations.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2020
Virginia makes GCs liable for subs employee wages
New law allows workers to sue GCs for wages in class action.
Codes and Standards | Jun 2, 2020
Designers, owners reinventing restaurants to cope with COVID-19
Options include rearranged seating, mobile ordering, designated flow spaces.
Codes and Standards | Jun 1, 2020
How owners should comply with OSHA roofing safety guidelines
Buildings should have fall protection and restraint provisions for those who go on roofs.
Codes and Standards | May 29, 2020
AIA releases new, updated sustainable project documents
Streamlined sustainable design and construction process included.
Codes and Standards | May 28, 2020
USGBC outlines how it will support pandemic recovery efforts
Includes emergency guidance and upgrades to the LEED green building program.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2020
Office market could be COVID-19 casualty
As companies get used to work at home, post-pandemic office market could collapse.
Codes and Standards | May 26, 2020
Architectural Reuse Council will step up efforts to reuse construction waste
Cabinets, appliances, lighting, and lumber diverted from landfills to be repurposed.
Codes and Standards | May 26, 2020
Is CLT really a green solution?
Sustainability depends upon forest stewardship, product manufacturing process.