It is unfortunate that it takes a tragedy like Surfside to implement stricter building codes. It took hurricane Andrew for building codes to be more stringent and as a result "Miami-Dade" has been the guide to hurricane building codes and they are reviewed every so often and stricter codes are then implemented.
Push on to change building codes for aging high-rises There’s a push on to change building codes for aging high-rises after the Surfside tragedy.
The partial collapse of the 40-year-old condo tower on the East Coast is raising questions for our leaders about high-rise design and what needs to happen to ensure the buildings stay safe over time.
Miami-Dade and Broward counties are the only counties in the state that require aging high-rises to go through recertification after reaching 40 years.
In Lee County, inspections are done upon completion of construction, but so far, there’s no requirement for aging buildings. It’s up to the owners, HOA, or the residents to speak up if they see something concerning.
The Surfside disaster that has so far officially claimed 16 lives raises questions about Florida’s current building codes.
“The code has requirements in the design of buildings so that it can withstand the load, the different loads, safe and economically. It has to have a design that is safe, meaning that it prevents the structure from failing and at the same time, it has to be economical,” said Ashraf Badir, Ph.D., a professor of engineering at Florida Gulf Coast University.............
https://www.winknews.com/2021/06/30/push-on-to-change-building-codes-for-aging-high-rises/
