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
| Jul 11, 2014
California Supreme Court rules that architects can be sued by condo association
The decision held that even though, on most projects, the developer has the final say on design choices, the architect can’t escape liability to the end user.
| Jul 10, 2014
Latest construction accident fatality statistics reverse trend of declining deaths
The latest data on construction site fatalities for 2012 shows a rise in the death rate to 9.9 per 100,000 workers after 2011 had reached a recent low of 9.1 per 100,000, according to an analysis of data by the AFL-CIO.
| Jul 10, 2014
EPA seeking public comments on site contamination rules
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comment on its proposal to eliminate the dual standard for compliance with rules pertaining to testing of land that may have been contaminated by chemical pollution.
| Jul 10, 2014
Southern California city considers new water fee for developers
A persistent drought in Southern California could lead to a water fee for new construction projects in Ventura.
| Jul 1, 2014
$1 billion master planned development in California clears key hurdle
Plans for a new section of the proposed $1 billion La Entrada master-planned community in Coachella, Calif., moved ahead after the developer and city council agreed that the plan would include 500 affordable housing units.
| Jul 1, 2014
Dept. of Labor reaches settlement for $5 million in back wages for workers on federally assisted project
The U.S. Department of Labor and MDG Design & Construction LLC have reached a settlement over wage violations at the federally-assisted 26-story Grand Street Guild rehab project in New York City’s Lower East Side.
| Jul 1, 2014
GSA, Homeland Security research leads to performance-based design guide
The National Performance Based Design Guide, based on research and development supported by the Science & Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security and the Public Buildings Service of the General Services Administration, is now available.
| Jul 1, 2014
FEMA grant helps fund school theater that will double as tornado safe room
Scott City School District in Missouri recently broke ground on an 8,990-sf performing arts theater that will also function as a tornado safe room.
| Jun 30, 2014
Research finds continued growth of design-build throughout United States
New research findings indicate that for the first time more than half of projects above $10 million are being completed through design-build project delivery.
| Jun 26, 2014
Canadian groups combine forces to support EPD program for LEED v4
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group and the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) will collaborate to support LEED v4 and CSA Group’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program.