IBHS News Releases

Tampa – The path of Hurricane Charley demonstrated the need for strong building standards throughout the state of Florida, including interior counties, according to research engineers with the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

However, upcoming changes to the Florida Building Code would actually weaken current standards in a number of counties, including Hardee, Highlands and Osceola. 

IBHS engineers performing structural inspections in areas damaged by Hurricane Charley have determined that those structures that withstood high wind best were the ones that were built under the current Florida Building Code, which went into effect in 2002. 

In August 2003, the Florida Building Commission voted to adopt the International Residential and Building Codes with Florida amendments to form the 2004 Florida Building and Residential Codes, to be enacted in 2005.

However, as currently written, the new codes would actually allow weaker standards in all or part of a number of counties, including highly populated interior areas of the state.   

“These new provisions are insufficient for providing most homes in these areas with the kind of protection against high winds that Hurricane Charley demonstrated they need,” said Jeff Burton, IBHS building codes manager. 

The Florida Building Commission will meet at the Fountainbleu Hilton in Miami beginning this Sunday.  The building code is scheduled for review Tuesday, August 31.

IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.