40 YEAR RECERTIFICATION

Hi All,

In another Post, a Larry Kall comment directed to me states as follows:
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“I know that you have a great concern if Palm Beach County goes to 40 year recertification and perhaps you could give us some more details on how this might work.”

Good question Larry-

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The 40 year Recertification Program has been law in Miami-Dade for 30 years and in Broward County since 2006. It requires comprehensive inspections of Building structure and electrical systems. If dangerous deficiencies are found, the building will be required to bring all such deficiencies “To current Code.” Thus, “Grandfathering” is swept away! In our larger buildings, such sweeping mandate could cost Millions of dollars.

Certain Legislators; such as; Julio Robaina (Miami) of the Florida House of Representatives, attempts yearly, to make 40 year Recertification State Law.

this will happen in Palm Beach County; just when, I do not know.

The law spins out of multiple building collapses of older structures and makes Building Maintenance extremely important so as to avoid critical deficiencies. The following Snippet is extracted from:

http://www.broward.org/codeappeals/40YBSIPBro-Updated12-06.pdf

The entire document is highly recommended reading!!

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40 YEAR AND OLDER BUILDING SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM

PROGRAM SUMMARY


The 40 year and older Building Safety Inspection Program was created in 2005 and has become effective throughout Broward County in January 2006. Modeled after Miami-Dade County’s program, which is now more than 30 years old, Broward’s program calls for structural and electrical safety inspections for buildings 40 years old or older and every ten years thereafter. One and two family dwellings, U.S Government, State of Florida buildings, schools under the jurisdiction of the B.C. School Board, and buildings built on Indian Reservations are exempt from this program. Miami-Dade County’s effort exempts other buildings under 2,000 square feet while the Broward program excludes all buildings under 3,500 square feet. Both Counties have had instances of structural building failures. By instituting this program we are minimalizing the possibilities of future building failure and will be better prepared for hurricane winds.

The program for 2006 is part of a six year phase-in to help reduce and manage the work load of buildings to be inspected . This year only buildings 11,000 square feet or more and dating from 1924 to 1965, are to be reviewed .In 2007 buildings 7,000 square feet and larger will be included. Enclose are checklists and guidelines for buildings to be inspected for structural integrity and electrical safety. State licensed architects and engineers will be hired by private building owners to do the safety inspection. The local government has the authority to establish a fee to review the Safety Inspection Reports. The Building Department will review the reports submitted to verify if the inspecting agency has deemed the structural and electrical systems as safe. If any deficiency is noted, the building department shall follow the guidelines of Policy #05-05 (copy attached).

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Common sense suggests that we emphasize our Building Maintenance programs and keep a keen eye open for Legislative change; consideration of Reserve Lines in our budgets may also be a prudent step!

Dave