After the roof collapsed at the Thumper Pond Resort water park in Ottertail, Minn., last month, Minnesota media has highlighted the fact that many areas of the state do not enforce the state building code.
The roof collapse occurred around midnight on April 14 when the park was closed. There were no injuries. There were no high winds, snow, or other obvious causes indicating why the roof on the 10-year-old water park collapsed.
Many Minnesota governments outside the seven-county metro area that includes Minneapolis don't enforce the state building code, according to MPR News. That law requires inspections throughout a new construction process. But just 21 of the 87 Minnesota counties enforce it, according to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Licensed contractors are required to build according to the state building code to construct a commercial or lodging facility in a remote area, but most of these projects proceed without a building official to provide oversight. Rural governments say they can’t afford to provide that service.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 10, 2021
New York City cracks down on construction site safety
Buildings Dept. issues new safety legislation for City Council consideration.
Codes and Standards | Jun 9, 2021
ASHRAE updates health care facility ventilation standard
Includes improved guidance on thermal comfort, revisions to air filtration requirements.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2021
American Wood Council releases new fire design specification
For design of wood members, assemblies, and connections to meet code requirements.
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2021
Guide provides strategies to overcome barriers to sustainable affordable housing
International Living Future Institute document helps with social, regulatory, and financial hurdles.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2021
Conversion of large office buildings to residential will require revamped regulations
Post-1960 offices present ventilation, daylighting, and other challenges.
Codes and Standards | Jun 2, 2021
Dept. of Energy releases EnergyPlus and OpenStudio updates
New features include Python Plugin features and additional tabular reporting options.
Codes and Standards | Jun 1, 2021
Federal plan to double Canadian lumber tariffs draws intense criticism
Builders advised to stock up to deal with shortages.
Codes and Standards | Jun 1, 2021
Passive House standards proving their worth in multifamily sector
Energy performance beats conventionally built by 32% to 58%.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2021
Pittsburgh combats construction fraud
Crackdown on tax, insurance, and workers’ comp malfeasance.
Codes and Standards | May 26, 2021
Proposal to add photovoltaic panels to the R2 Standard for electronics recycling
Hundreds of facilities in 33 countries could begin recycling PVs.
