IBHS News Releases

In a unanimous 20-0 vote, the Florida Building Commission Tuesday moved to change the new 2004 Florida Building Code to meet the existing level of wind requirements in the 2001 code. 

The action was in response to an oversight in the new code, which was discovered by the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).  The oversight would have lessened the requirements for wind-resistant construction in the state’s interior and made homes over a large area vulnerable to high winds similar to those of Hurricane Charley. 

IBHS Vice President of Engineering Dr. Tim Reinhold noted, “From our first correspondence on the matter with the commission, it has consistently moved to correct the code, and its members should be commended for taking this swift action to do so.”

The new code was to have been enacted in January 2005.  As a result of this vote and the due process required, enactment of the new code has been delayed until July 1, 2005.

The commission recognized that the delay will help give time for building officials and communities affected by Hurricane Charley to make the transition to the new code.  The commission has also worked to reduce the impact of the delay on industries that were already developing products for use when the new code takes effect.