New research by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) indicates that stronger building standards and codes have contributed to stronger roofs in the Gulf Coast region.
In the 10 years after Katrina, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, have also added tougher requirements for inspections, building permits, and contractor licensing. Combined with beefed up codes, this is good news for the resiliency of buildings in the region, IBHS says.
IBHS researchers examined changes specific to roofing requirements by evaluating and analyzing key aspects of roofing regulations, including codes, contractor licensing, permits, and inspections. Building codes have substantially improved, with 100% of surveyed jurisdictions currently enforcing either the 2012 or 2009 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC). Prior to Katrina, only about one-third (36%) of coastal communities surveyed were known to enforce the IRC.
In addition to enactment and enforcement of the latest building codes, IBHS recommendations for hurricane-exposed communities include adoption of IBHS FORTIFIED HomeTM–Hurricane superior roofing construction standards. These standards provide increased resilience through stronger construction techniques, and were specifically developed for these locations.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 31, 2017
Planning for world’s first floating city underway
New approach to resiliency examined in French Polynesia.
Codes and Standards | Jan 30, 2017
Denser development could reduce emissions more than building energy retrofits
More tightly packed cities would cut building emissions significantly, study says.
Codes and Standards | Jan 27, 2017
Calif. legislator proposes statewide solar mandate for new buildings
It would be the first such requirement in the U.S.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2017
Standard baseline for measuring building efficiency needed
EUI could push sustainability through market-driven approach.
Codes and Standards | Jan 23, 2017
Workers, local officials rally for new construction safety law in New York City
The new law would require those who work on 10-story-plus buildings to go through an apprenticeship program.
Codes and Standards | Jan 23, 2017
Prominent Atlanta construction executive faces charges in $1 million bribery scheme
The company has worked on some major projects, including Hartsfield Airport.
Codes and Standards | Jan 20, 2017
New resource lists green incentives by state
USGBC's new Public Policy Library includes tax and energy benchmarking policies.
Codes and Standards | Jan 18, 2017
How green leases benefit owners and tenants
Agreements to spur efficiency upgrades are slowly gaining popularity.
Codes and Standards | Jan 17, 2017
Intl. Code Council looks into code changes for cross-laminated timber structures
Most codes limit CLT structures’ height.
Codes and Standards | Jan 16, 2017
Building codes for existing buildings evaluated in new white paper
The paper examines implementation, enforcement challenges, and changes needed in new code editions.