6TH WORLD OF HURRICANE PROTECTION CONFERENCE SET

Hurricane Protection magazine and the IHPA announces the 6th Annual World of Hurricane Protection Conference & Trade Show to be held April 25 to 26, 2008, in the South Hall of the Orange Country Convention Center, Orlando, FL.

Produced by Hurricane Protection and sponsored by the IHPA, this conference and trade show is the only event held solely for the hurricane protection industry. In addition to exhibiting the latest products, services and technologies from leading manufacturers and suppliers, the conference provides a schedule of seminars on topics such as building codes, business management, product approval and installation. Many of the seminars offer CEU accreditation.

As in previous years, the IHPA will host a business meeting and networking reception during the show dates, offering an opportunity to meet industry peers. IHPA also will hold its annual golf scramble April 24, the day before the conference opens.

The host hotel for this event will be the Rosen Centre located directly across the street from the convention center. For more information, visit www.hpmag.com.

NORTH CAROLINA CONSIDERS EXTENDING WIND-BORNE DEBRIS REGION

The North Carolina Building Code Council will hold a hearing in Raleigh, NC, on September 11 to discuss opening the wind-borne debris region beyond 1,500 feet. The council was required to study the issue by the legislature, and coastal jurisdictions have been losing their NFIP discounts because of the code modification so there is incentive for the state to embrace the ASCE 7 definition of a wind-borne debris region.

The study that was prepared by Applied Research Associates several years ago quoted pricing of impact-resistant IG windows. Most manufacturers had not even launched their products at that time, so the pricing is probably conservative. Additionally, window supply was a big issue to this council and will likely be addressed again.

If you are able to attend and can comment on your availability to supply and service this market your participation is recommended.

MASSACHUSETTS CREATES TASK FORCE ON HURRICANE RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION

The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety has assembled a task force to study the effects of recently promulgated building code regulations pertaining to wind load zones in the commonwealth. Its first meeting was held in late June.

The Seventh Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code for Single- and Two-Family Dwellings became effective April 1, 2007. The new code provides new wind-load speeds, design and construction methodologies for certain areas of the commonwealth; most particularly, the Cape and islands. This new code is a version of the International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC, or a variant thereof, has been adopted in many states in the region including New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island. In some instances, the Seventh Edition establishes more stringent requirements than the current Sixth Edition of the Code for design and construction methods in certain coastal communities.

The purpose of the task force (called the Task Force on Hurricane Resistant Construction) is to further review the impact of the new code wind design requirements and determine whether amendments to the current Seventh Edition Building Code requirements are justified. A major goal is to weigh public safety interests as established by the new provisions versus cost considerations, including insurance premium implications.
Because the new code is scheduled to come into full force and effect on October 1, 2007, any code change proposals that are to be recommended must be presented to the board on or before September 11, 2007.

FLORIDA CODE MODIFICATIONS APPROVED

All of the changes submitted by IHPA code consultant Joe Belcher on behalf of the hurricane protection industry were approved by the full Florida Building Commission for the 2007 edition of the Florida Building Code as submitted or as modified during meetings held in late June, which included change hearings by the commission’s Technical Advisory Committee.

These changes included:
• Permits. Modification requiring a permit for the installation of impact-resistant coverings, not just coverings required by the code.

• Inspection. Modification requires building officials to establish inspections of the installation of impact-resistant coverings installed to meet the requirements of the code.

• Labeling and Installation. Modification establishes labeling requirements for impact-resistant coverings; adds provisions related to installation; addresses the substitution of fasteners and components.

The first draft of the Florida Building Code, 2007 Edition, is available at www2.iccsafe.org/states/2004_florida_codes.

An August Rule Adoption Hearing was scheduled. Changes to these industry-sponsored modifications were not anticipated because they likely would delay the implementation of the code set for October 1, 2008.

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Legislation addressing opening protection and the definition of the wind-borne debris region (WBDR) was passed during a special session called by the Florida governor.

The legislation:
• Eliminates the option to design structures in the WBDR as partially enclosed in lieu of protecting glazing in openings.

• Adopts the WBDR definitions contained in the International Building and Residential Codes, 2006 editions.

• Prohibits the Florida Building Commission and local jurisdictions from amending the code in a manner that diminishes the wind resistance and water intrusion provisions of the foundation codes.

These changes actually went into effect in January 2007 when the governor signed the bill into law; however, some coastal jurisdictions would not enforce the provisions until the Florida Building Commission changed the state’s building code.

Numerous legislative changes were made to the Florida Comprehensive Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program, which has been re-designated as the My Safe Florida Home Program (see HP, Summer, 2007, page 15; Directory & Buyer’s Guide 2007, page 6). These changes should result in an increase in the installation of impact resistive coverings.

The legislature specified a goal of 400,000 free inspections to be conducted by June 30, 2009, with 35,000 matching grants.

Finally, opening protection required for new construction located in the wind-borne debris region (WBDR) is required for buildings not actually located in the WBDR when the building permits are applied for on or after July 1, 2008; the work is valued at $50,000 or more; and the building is valued at $750,000 or more.

FLORIDA PRODUCT APPROVAL HEADS-UP

The Florida Building Commission is not expected to appoint a workgroup to examine the issue of fabricators fabricating, distributing, selling and installing impact-resistant coverings under another’s product approval number. Reportedly, a letter may be sent out requiring those participating in such programs either to obtain individual product approvals or to provide a list of those authorized to operate under the product approval number with that list being posted at the Building Code Information Site (BCIS) at www.floridabuilding.org.

The reason given for listing the names on the BCIS is for building officials’ verification, but industry professionals say it’s tantamount to providing competitors a shopping list of customers. An alternative labeling system is being proposed, but if that is not approved filing a rule challenge will be the only recourse.

HURRICANE ALLEY AT THE SOUTHEAST BUILDING CONFERENCE

The IHPA and Hurricane Protection magazine exhibited at the 29th Annual Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) July 12 to 14 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL.

SEBC featured a record number of exhibitors this year with over 1,100 and 75 of those in Hurricane Alley, a special section that featured building products and services devoted to the hurricane protection industry.
Approximately 8,500 within the building profession attended the show over the three days of exhibits.

IHPA would like to thank the following members for assisting at the booth over the course of the show: Bill Feeley, Eastern Metal Supply; Scott Kuntz, Transparent Protection Systems; George Pfaller, Alutech; and Bill Spindel, Windshutters.

The 2008 SEBC show will take place July 31 to August 2 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.