The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has adopted five new safe harbors for new multifamily housing projects.
These safe harbors apply to instances where there are conflicts between applicable code and FHA requirements. Safe harbors often lag behind new codes and standards, so these updates should reduce confusion for architects and contractors.
Usually, where there is a conflict between an FHA requirement and applicable code, the most stringent requirement takes precedence. There are instances, though, where there is a conflict with neither requirement being more stringent than the other.
Safe harbors provide guidance to the design and construction industry to sort out such conflicts. A safe harbor must be applied by the entire design and construction team in order to establish that the housing project complies with FHA requirements.
To stay current with new versions of codes, HUD changed its rulemaking requirements on how and when it can adopt new safe harbors. Now, the department may propose a new safe harbor by Federal Register notice with a 30-day public comment period. This will allow HUD to more quickly adopt updated standards and prevent conflicts between FHA requirements and codes.
Related Stories
| May 25, 2012
Alaska’s okay of gravel aggregate with naturally occurring asbestos opens up development
Some long-delayed projects in the Upper Kobuk region of Alaska may now move forward thanks to legislation that allows construction in areas that have naturally occurring asbestos.
| 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 city’s go-ahead.
| May 25, 2012
Collapse of Brooklyn building that killed worker blamed on improperly braced frame
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited SP&K Construction with 11 safety violations, for which it could face more than $77,000 in fines.
| May 25, 2012
Study: Safety inspections don’t hurt the bottom line
A new study suggests that random safety inspections by regulators help reduce injury claims without hurting profits.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| May 17, 2012
New standard for Structural Insulated Panels under development
ASTM International and NTA, Inc. are developing a new standard for Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) that would create a path for U.S. manufacturers to meet the requirements of the Canadian building code.
| May 17, 2012
Webinar: ‘What Energy Codes and Standards Are Adopted Where and by Whom’
A June 12 webinar by the Construction Specifications Institute will outline what energy codes and standards have been adopted in each of the states for commercial buildings, and what is anticipated to be adopted in the future.
| May 17, 2012
California Governor orders new green standards on state buildings
California Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order recently that calls for all new or renovated state buildings of more than 10,000 sf to achieve LEED Silver or higher and incorporate clean, onsite power generation.
| May 17, 2012
New Zealand stadium roof collapse blamed on snow, construction defects
Heavy snowfall, construction defects, and design problems contributed to the collapse of the Stadium Southland roof in New Zealand in September 2010, a report has found.