Florida engineers are calling for more frequent condominium building inspections after the devastating condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida.
The Surfside Working Group consists of seven engineering and architecture associations across the state. Their focus is to preserve the long-term health of buildings by assessing environmental and other factors affecting structural degradation.
The report recommends the following changes to the Florida Building Code and laws, for the upcoming 2022 Legislative Session.
- Establish mandatory inspections statewide for all buildings of a certain size to ensure structural integrity and proper maintenance.
- Structural recertification inspections of buildings over 3 stores should occur 30 years after first occupancy, and every 10 years thereafter. For those buildings within 3 miles of corrosive saltwater environments, the first inspection should occur 20 years after first occupancy, and every 7 years thereafter.
- Require periodic inspection programs to inspect other building components, such as the exterior envelope and electrical and fire protection systems.
- Building owners should cover the costs of inspections and repairs.
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