9 Ways Natural Disasters Are Changing Your Local Building Codes

9 Ways Natural Disasters Natural Disasters Are Changing Your Local Building Codes Are Changing Your Local Building Codes

1. FEMA and Biden announced an initiative to advance building codes. 1. FEMA and Biden announced an initiative to advance building codes. It calls for more stringent codes to make homes better equipped to withstand hurricanes and wildfires. It calls for more stringent codes to make homes better equipped to withstand hurricanes and wildfires.

2. Wildfires are making some communities say “see ya!” to cedar shakes. 2. Wildfires are making some communities say “see ya!” to cedar shakes. The preferred alternative is fire-resistant asphalt shingles and fiber cement siding. The preferred alternative is fire-resistant asphalt shingles and fiber cement siding.

3. Wider driveways will give fire trucks better access. 3. Wider driveways will give fire trucks better access. Some California communities have building codes requiring that driveways have a minimum of 10 feet of clearance on both sides to allow for fire trucks to get in—and residents to get out—in the event of a wildfire. Some California communities have building codes requiring that driveways have a minimum of 10 feet of clearance on both sides to allow for fire trucks to get in—and residents to get out—in the event of a wildfire.

4. Orange County says “no” to open soffits on roofs. 4. Orange County says “no” to open soffits on roofs. Boxed eaves have closed soffits covered with a noncombustible material that prevents hot embers from blowing into the home. Boxed eaves have closed soffits covered with a noncombustible material that prevents hot embers from blowing into the home.

5. Buffer zones between houses and vegetation will get larger. 5. Buffer zones between houses and vegetation will get larger. Putting standards into effect can extend the time it takes for a home to burn by hours, giving residents and emergency services time to respond. Putting standards into effect can extend the time it takes for a home to burn by hours, giving residents and emergency services time to respond.

6. Older homes on Florida’s coast may have to be retrofitted to comply with new codes. 6. Older homes on Florida’s coast may have to be retrofitted to comply with new codes. Storm damage experts are pushing for Florida to consider requiring older homes to be retrofitted to meet updated IRC building code standards. Storm damage experts are pushing for Florida to consider requiring older homes to be retrofitted to meet updated IRC building code standards.

7. Communities in Colorado are shunning stick-built homes. 7. Communities in Colorado are shunning stick-built homes. Communities in wildfire-ravaged areas of Colorado are trading out modern stick-and-frame construction for earthen blocks and roof tiles, which have been around for millennia. Communities in wildfire-ravaged areas of Colorado are trading out modern stick-and-frame construction for earthen blocks and roof tiles, which have been around for millennia.

8. Louisiana’s new code nails down reinforced roofs. 8. Louisiana’s new code nails down reinforced roofs. The code mandates new nailing patterns that help ensure roofing tiles will stay in place during high winds , and help provide an additional barrier to prevent roof leaks. The code mandates new nailing patterns that help ensure roofing tiles will stay in place during high winds , and help provide an additional barrier to prevent roof leaks.

9. Florida homes are being fortified against flooding. 9. Florida homes are being fortified against flooding. Codes require builders to elevate new construction several feet higher, and equip them to withstand wind speeds of up to 140 miles per hour. Codes require builders to elevate new construction several feet higher, and equip them to withstand wind speeds of up to 140 miles per hour.

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