A new Florida law makes a considerable change to the Florida Building Code that is raising safety and liability concerns.
Starting July 1, 2021, government agencies with the power to enforce the Florida Building Code can perform certain building inspections virtually. Proposed in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the presumed intention was to avoid delays in construction projects and the inspection process.
Structural components of buildings greater than three stories high still require in-person inspections, but plumbing, electrical, and mechanical components are now open to inspection through videoconferencing platforms.
The most glaring concern is the potential for incomplete inspections. Inspectors may miss critical defects that they would have otherwise caught during an in-person inspection. In fact, it is common during live walk-throughs for inspectors to catch extraneous violations not related to the scope of the inspection at hand. Additionally, virtual inspections render inspectors entirely dependent on the camera operator to pan their view.
As emphasized by the tragic condominium tower collapse in Surfside, the danger of less-than-thorough inspections can life-threatening. Enabling virtual inspections seemingly escalates that risk.
Please contact your city’s building department if you are concerned about the structural integrity or other components of your condominium building.
For property owners seeking to explore their rights against an association, please do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with our office.
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Photo from Canva
