How did Hurricane Andrew change building codes?

Three main pillars emerged from the Hurricane Andrew grand juries that would go on to form the basis of Florida’s significantly different building regulations: new building codes, particularly as they related to wind resistance; product approvals for the construction materials manufactured and installed in homes; and …

Are Florida building codes strict?

Florida building code is strict and growing more so. Florida building code continually evolves to afford better protection against winds, debris, and flooding. But many homes were built under less strict codes. And no matter how dangerous, more homes and commercial properties are built in at-risk locations every year.

What changed after hurricane Andrew?

Andrew, which blew in 25 years ago, was the last Category 5 storm to hit the United States, and it clobbered south Miami-Dade County, flattening houses and buildings. After the storm, South Florida approved a building code intended to make structures better withstand high winds.

What are the hurricane building codes in Florida?

Florida Hurricane Building Codes. Depending on where you live in the State of Florida, there are different requirements. This is because of the particular climate that is in the surrounding area. There are two zones, Zone 1 and Zone 2. The Florida Building Code is adopted and updated with new editions triennially by the Florida Building Commission.

How did Hurricane Andrew affect the building code?

Homebuilders, contractors and insurers, along with state and local governments, responded after Andrew caused about $16 billion in insured damage. The storm exposed inadequate code standards that were based on old data or flagrant violations that slipped inspection.

What did the new building code in Florida do?

The code also established new standards for roofing, created more thorough inspection processes and required that products used in home construction meet approved hurricane standards.

When did Florida start using high wind building code?

In 1995, officials decided to apply the high-wind standards of the Standard Building Code, which was widely used in the Southeast, to all of Florida, Reinhold said.

Are there any hurricane building codes in 2018?

In its article on a 2018 report from the Insurance Institute for Building & Home Safety on the status of codes in 18 Gulf and Atlantic states, Insurance Journal noted that “despite the increasing severity of natural disasters, [many states] have relaxed their approach to codes — or have yet to impose any whatsoever.”

What kind of Hurricane code does Miami have?

Miami-Dade and Broward counties are part of a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, where local code requires that a building’s entire envelope (including windows, doors, and eaves) incorporates lab-tested, wind-resistant design. Elsewhere in the state, the requirements vary, based on expectations of where peak winds will be the strongest.

When was the first building code written in Florida?

So what initiated the first building code in Florida? The first uniform state building code in Florida came into existence in 2002. It was written in 2001 as a result of the Florida Legislation responding to the need for more firm and regulated building codes after Hurricane Andrew.

Why are some states changing their building codes?

In an effort to minimize the devastation created by these tropical storms, states like Florida and Texas are changing building codes and their stringent product approval requirements.