Science and Wind

Phys.org is doing new studies that feature a man-made wall of wind to test wind resistance on buildings. This has an immediate effect on our building code and that of other locations as Florida is leading the way in wind-resistance and building ordinances! Read the article here.

Hurricane Safe

We’re not as safe as we can be from hurricanes

 

BY LESLIE CHAPMAN-HENDERSON

WWW.FLASH.ORG

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in South Florida in the middle of the night of Aug. 24. When residents from Key Largo to North Miami walked outside their homes the next morning, they gasped at a level of devastation that had never been seen before.

Much has changed since then in Florida and around the nation. We have made great progress in the past 20 years to strengthen our coastal areas against the unstoppable reality of hurricanes. But we cannot become complacent simply because time has allowed memories to fade.

Mitigating the damage of natural disasters and, in some cases, actually preventing damages, is a proven money-saver. A 2005 study by the National Institute of Building Sciences found that, on average, a dollar spent by FEMA on hazard mitigation saves the nation $4 in future benefits. We believe the savings for property owners are even greater.

There are three fundamental building blocks to improved mitigation:

•  Stronger building codes. The creation of the International Code Council in 1994 gave us a single entity to draft model building codes that can be, and are, used as guidelines for local codes worldwide. Stronger building codes help drive the creation, and adoption, of better building products and practices. Alabama, for instance, this year adopted its first-ever statewide residential code.

Many hurricane-exposed states, unfortunately, still are lagging. Alarmingly, there have been efforts to weaken building codes in some states.

An Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) study last December found that, on a 100-point scale, only seven of 18 coastal states scored higher than 80 points when ranked for “strong statewide residential building codes and comprehensive regulatory processes for the building code officials, contractors, and subcontractors, who translate building code requirements into actual homes.” Bottom of the pack? Mississippi, Delaware and Texas.

•  Incentives, both public and private. Financial incentives work wonders in improving mitigation and reducing losses. Florida, for instance, has the nation’s most robust system of insurance incentives. Residents are supposed to receive a significant discount off of hurricane insurance if their homes were built after 2002 under the newer Florida Building Code.

Older homes also can get credits for mitigation features ranging from storm shutters, water barriers and impact doors and windows. Insurers are required by law to provide mitigation incentives in Florida, Louisiana and Maryland. Incentives are voluntarily offered in Alabama, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

But we need more incentives. Local governments should consider property-tax relief for homeowners who invest in mitigation. Governments also should waive taxes and fees on specific mitigation work, such as shutter installations. Sales-tax holidays could be implemented for all hurricane-protective devices. None of these efforts are particularly onerous, but provide the incentives to promote action.

•  Education about mitigation and prevention. Understanding the positive impact of mitigation and damage prevention remains the biggest challenge to our efforts. People lose their lives because they either don’t know or underestimate the dangers of natural disasters. While the media have done an exemplary job of providing useful tips in advance of storms, there is so much more to do. A troubling example: Nearly seven of 10 homeowners think masking tape on windows somehow will help prevent damage, according to a Harris Interactive survey this year. It doesn’t.

Massive losses to the insurance industry from Andrew, Katrina and other storms have resulted in more homeowners being forced to turn to government-backed “insurers of last resort’’ for coverage. That means we increasingly are placing these risks on our own pocketbooks.

Again, we have made great progress. But by no means are we as safe as we can be.

Leslie Chapman-Henderson is President and CEO of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH).

Source: Miami Herald

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/14/2951750/were-not-as-safe-as-we-can-be.html#storylink=cpy

Building Code FAQ

The Florida Building Code can be a little tough to decode if you don't speak contractor. Here is the plain and simple translation of your most commonly asked questions from the source.

How often is the code updated?
Every 3 years.

Where does the code come from?
The Florida code is based on the International Building Code, or the "base code", and adapted for state-specific needs.

Can I read the code?
Yes. It is available here. You can even see previous versions at that site.

What requires a permit?
I talk about this all the time. Here's the official stance:

Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any impact resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

Termites

The gulf coast of Florida is beginning to see summer swarms of termites due to a shortened winter and hotter springtime temperatures than is usual for the area. Luckily, Florida's building code requires standard termite protection for new construction which should make infestations less likely to occur and easier to exterminate when they do attempt to set in.

Source: Gulf Breeze News

Copying Florida's Building Code

In the wake of the recent tornadoes that swept through Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia, other states' building codes are considering adopting the strict standards to protect against violent winds that Florida has in place for hurricanes.

Source: Indy Star

Permit Types - Floodplain Development Permit

Floodplain Development Permit

1) When is a Floodplain Development Permit Required?

A floodplain development permit is required for all development‐related changes on a property located in the A and V zones of the Town's FEMA Flood Map, that will alter the drainage characteristics of a property affect any equipment servicing the property, or that constitutes a “Substantial Improvement” under Town Ordinance and FEMA Regulations.

This includes but is not limited to:
‐ Construction of new structures
‐ Modifications or improvements to existing structures.
‐ Site Work that will alter the property’s drainage including: Excavation, Filling, Paving, Drilling, Driving of piles, Dredging, Land clearing, Grading, Landscape Improvements, Permanent storage of materials.
‐ Equipment upgrades or additions (A/C units and Generators).
‐ Vertical Additions or Improvements that are a “Substantial Improvement” per Ordinance and FEMA definitions.


2) Can I submit for my Floodplain Development Permit (FDP) at the same time as my Building Permit?

Yes – A Floodplain Development Permit is an additional permit that is required along with the Master Permit for the work being done. It is like any other Sub‐Permit.


3) What happens if my Floodplain Permit is not approved?

If Your FDP is not approved you will need to submit all items requested for review and they must be correct and current.


4) Why is the Town requiring these permits ?

For many years the Town has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS) program by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). These programs require a substantial amount of work to maintain the discounts our citizens receive on their flood insurance policies. The fees collected will help to defray the cost of the Town’s participation in these programs. In addition it will insure that the Town’s Floodplain Development ordinance is enforced correctly.


5) What Inspections are required for this permit?

There are three inspections required for this permit. They are: 1) Site Inspection, 2) Ground Rough Inspection ‐ before the slab pour, 3) Final Inspection.


6) Who can be issued a Floodplain Development Permit?

The Floodplain development Permit will be issued to the contractor who is issued the Primary permit for the work being performed at a location.


7) Can I submit “Revisions” to my Floodplain Permit once it is issued?

Yes – This is like any other permit issued by the Town. If there are changes that need to be made a revision is required and may be submitted.

For more information on this and other types of permits, contact Your Permit Solution!


Source: Town of Palm Beach

Permit Types - Elevator Permit

Elevator Permits



Florida law requires every registered elevator company to have a permit issued by the Bureau of Elevator Safety before installing, altering, or relocating any type of vertical conveyance licensed by the bureau.

Before an elevator permit can be issued, the registered Elevator Company doing the installation must do the following:

1. The company must obtain and review the construction plans for compliance with Florida law. These do not have to be turned in to the bureau but the company will be required to affirm that the plans they are using are in compliance.

2. The company must obtain the appropriate application form. If multiple conveyances (elevators, etc) are being installed, separate forms are required for each.

3. The Affidavit of Elevator Code Compliance must be obtained and completed. This form must be signed by a qualified agent of the elevator company doing the installation.

4. All required documentation and fees must be submitted to the appropriate department.

5. Once construction is completed, the conveyance must pass an inspection prior to beginning use.

For more information on this and other types of permits, contact Your Permit Solution!

Source: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation