In the Crosshairs - Why Florida Needs the Florida Building Code - February 2020
Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner, Silvers Systems Inc., and FRSA's Director of Technical Services
A well-seasoned code professional recently told me how he ended up in the code business. He said that Hurricane Andrew completely changed the track of his life. The unprecedented damage caused by the Category 5 storm and the ensuing demand for better construction and building codes had shaped his future. In so many ways, Andrew completely changed the construction industry in Florida as well, and it has never quite been the same.
On August 24, 1992 Andrew hit South Florida. Its 165 mph winds wreaked havoc with everything in its path. Many buildings were completely destroyed, while others sustained major but not catastrophic damage. Some, on the other hand, held up relatively well. Roof decks and roof coverings were hit especially hard. Even in areas where wind speeds didn’t exceed design requirements, the roof damage was widespread but, much like the structures themselves, there were some roofs that held up very well. Read more.