Fla. Commission Hears Plea for Stronger Building Codes in Panhandle

Stronger hurricane-resistant construction requirements in Florida’s counties comprising the state’s Panhandle region were recommended in testimony to the Florida Building Commission by the American Insurance Association. “If the storms of 2004 and 2005 proved anything, it’s that state-of-the-art building codes work,” Cecil Pearce, AIA vice president, Southeast Region, said. “Florida’s Statewide Building Code, including standards for minimizing damage from wind-borne debris, helped reduce deaths, injuries and property damage.

In AIA’s testimony, Pearce maintained it’s time for the Panhandle, which is exempt from those tougher standards, to be brought in line with the rest of the state, and not wait until after a major storm with sustained wind intensity hits this area. He said the Florida Panhandle is currently exempted from the wind-borne debris standards of the 2000 Florida Building Code that require new construction to use shutters or impact resistant glass in areas where hurricane winds can reach 120 mph, about five miles on average from the coast.

“Instead, a weaker standard that covers structures within one mile of the coast was approved by the legislature in 2000, but is now under review by the FBC,” Pearce explained. “Under the latest proposal, the wind-borne debris regions would be expanded to 130 mph wind zones. Although a significant improvement over current law, it falls short of the optimum 120 mph standard.”

AIA maintains that while opponents of the code upgrade point to research showing that the greater forestation in certain parts of the Panhandle makes these areas less susceptible to wind-borne debris damage, the results are not conclusive. In addition, the age-old concern from those in the construction industry regarding higher building costs fall short when the long-term benefits of stronger building codes are considered. Protecting structure openings, such as windows and doors, from flying debris is crucial to that structure’s ability to survive a hurricane.

“Imposing the Florida Building Code’s wind-borne debris standards on the Panhandle can make the difference between an area that is able to recover relatively quickly from a hurricane, versus a community that is devastated and economically stagnant for many months or longer,” Pearce said. “AIA joins with the governor and other public officials in urging the commission to remove the Panhandle exemption.”

Source: American Insurance Association