I’m buying a condo in Venice, Florida. About five miles from the ocean, it’s in an area where standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover wind damage, and a separate wind-only policy is required, effectively doubling insurance cost.
The building is CB construction, flat tile roof, two years old. The condo association master policy covers structural elements (walls, roof, etc), so I have to worry only about interior damage when the roof blows off.
I’m curious about wind-resistance standards in Florida’s new building codes, since Hurricane Andrew. I know these codes are on-line, but I’m hoping someone smart out there can give me a quick answer. Many thanks to those who know.
Edited 11/28/2005 10:03 am ET by PurpleThumb
Replies
The best thing to do is to contact the county building department. If the building is only two years old, the plans should still be on file, and you can talk to one of the plans examiners to see what products and methods were used to comply with the local code.
Broward and Dade were the first counties to react to the Andrew event, and put tough codes in place after, but those changes don't happen overnight.
Down the beach from you, Collier county now has tougher standards in place. Given what has taken place in Florida the last two hurricane seasons, it looks as if the whole state needs code updates.
Your location relative to the beach pretty much determines how things might go in a bad one. If you are over two miles in, you are probably OK in a two-year-old building like you have described.
what is "The building is CB construction"
cement block?
CB is the common abbreviation for cement block in real estate ads down here. I was really hoping for some measure of mph wind resistance, Cat x hurricane, etc. Thanks for interest.
The Florida building codes have had some major revisions to address the problems of high velocity winds. Charts defining wind speed boundaries determine what products are acceptable for the affected areas. Certain products chosen must be on a state approved product list and be referenced in the plans or documents at the time of plan review. Products changed after initial plans approval and permiting require a new submittal of the product list. Products not on the list must be signed off by a FL structural engineer.
Construction standards are spelled out in the code under Test Protocols for High Velocity Hurricane Zones. For instance:
Asphaltic Shingle InstallationFastening:7.1 Use six approved nails per shingle. Place the fasteners in strict compliance with shingle manufacturers NOA course layout, fastening details.
7.2 Align the shingles properly to avoid exposing fasteners in the course below. Drive the fasteners straight and do not break the shingle surface with the fastener head. Do not drive fasteners into knot holes or cracks in the roof deck. Repair faulty fastening immediately. If the fastener is improperly driven, remove the fastener and repair the hole in the shingle with approved flashing cement or replace the entire shingle.
7.3 Do not nail into or above factory-applied adhesives. Ensure no cutout or end joint is less than 2 inches from a nail in an underlying course. Start nailing from the end nearest the shingle just laid and proceed across. Do not attempt to re-align a shingle by shifting the free end after two nails are in place. Drive nails straight so that the edge of the nail head does not cut into the shingle. Nail heads should be driven flush with the shingle surface. Fasteners shall be properly driven. See detail A below.
Read all about it in (RAS) No 115. This section of the installation code is only six pages long.
Calculation procedures for wind resiatnce are also right there or referenced.
If you want some really riveting reading, get a copy of the FL Buiding Code