States lacking consistent statewide building codes are most vulnerable to the effects of hurricanes, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) 2021 edition of Rating the States.
Georgia, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Delaware, lack a mandatory statewide building code, and are therefore ranked as “poor” in hurricane resilience, the institute says. Some jurisdictions within those states fare better such as Alabama’s two coastal counties which have adopted stricter codes.
Florida ranked as the top spot for strongest building code, followed by Virginia. Rating the States is released every three years following the building code update cycle of the International Code Council (ICC) and tracks coastal states from Maine to Texas.
Massachusetts saw the largest decline of any state, coming in three points lower than in the 2018 edition because the state removed the wind-borne debris requirements for coastal areas.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2019
Floating landscape infrastructure wins top ASCE innovation prize
Climate resiliency a key theme of entrants.
Codes and Standards | Jul 24, 2019
New York making slow progress on resiliency seven years after Hurricane Sandy
Property owners face many challenges; coastal defense project plans are complex and need more time to plan.
Codes and Standards | Jul 23, 2019
Berkeley, Calif. passes nation’s first ordinance to make new buildings all-electric
No gas hook-ups will be allowed in new houses, apartments, and commercial buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 22, 2019
San Francisco office building is city’s first structure certified by BREEAM USA for existing buildings
The Landmark @ One Market is one of San Francisco’s most architecturally distinctive buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2019
ASCE seeks comments on update to Calculation Methods for Structural Fire Protection standard
Pertains to fire resistance rating times.
Codes and Standards | Jul 15, 2019
USGBC calls for proposals for feedback, concepts for next LEED version
The move follows successful public input on LEED 4.1.
AEC Tech | Jul 15, 2019
Lack of standards hampers development of exoskeleton industry
Guidelines, common terminology, and testing methodology are needed, says expert.
Concrete | Jul 8, 2019
Concrete repair code requirements released
American Concrete Institute offers guidance on assessment, repair, rehab of existing concrete structures.
K-12 Schools | Jul 8, 2019
Collaborative for High Performance Schools releases 2019 Core Criteria Version 3.0 Update
The update adds credits to lower carbon footprints and to promote climate change resiliency.
Wood | Jul 8, 2019
Campaign launched to promote ‘climate-smart wood’
The Forest Stewardship Council and other groups aim to help buyers understand and make it easier to locate lumber that meets sustainable forestry standards.
