IMPORT CODE DATES
• The 2006 Supplement will be implemented on December 8, 2006.

• The modified Exposure Category C definition will be part of the 2006 Supplement enacted December 8, 2006.

• The revised definition of the wind-borne debris region will be implemented March 8, 2007.

• The implementation of the Florida Building Code 2007 is October 1, 2008. With the implementation of the Florida Building Code, 2007 Edition, the option for designing for increased internal pressure in lieu of protecting glazing will be eliminated.

• Deadline for code change proposals December 31, 2006.

MASTER FILE ENGINEERING
The Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE) in a ruling in April gave engineers until June 1, 2007, to cease and desist in the development and use of master file engineering for aluminum structures. The ruling was in response to a presentation by the building officials of Florida’s St. Lucie and Indian River counties. The IHPA consultant attended a meeting of the FBPE in June at Tampa at which the ruling was rescinded by the board and a task force appointed to look into the need for rule making.

The consultant attended a meeting of the task force in September at Tallahassee. The task force is evaluating whether or not there is a problem and if a rule is necessary. While addressing aluminum structures, there is concern the order may be extended into other areas employing master file engineering such as the shutter industry.

The task force met again in November and formulated a draft rule addressing the responsibility of engineers designing aluminum structures. A separate committee has been appointed to study the master file engineering issue. Rules affecting master file engineering could be a concern for the hurricane protection industry.

Joseph D. Belcher, CBO Code Consultant

HURRICANE DESTRUCTION CHANGING THE INSURANCE LANDSCAPE
The inability of consumers to find affordable insurance, or in some cases any insurance, has created an economic crisis.
In Florida, the governor organized a task force to find solutions for the insurance problem. The area of mitigation of the damage was well discussed. The following paragraphs are the suggestions that the commission developed on hurricane protection.

MITIGATION
Any long-term solution to the Florida hurricane insurance market must recognize the critical link between a structure’s wind-resistance and survivability. Initially at the time of construction, or subsequently through retrofitting, increasing the wind-resistance of buildings will deliver a return on investment by reducing damage and therefore insurance losses.

Fundamental approaches to increasing structures’ survivability include adoption and enforcement of strong model building codes, increased public awareness of hurricane mitigation, and implementation of mitigation consumer assistance programs.

Mitigation is the ongoing effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people’s lives and property through damage prevention. Within this context, hurricane mitigation can be defined as “a construction activity that fortifies or hardens the envelope of residential structures by using a variety of techniques.” Techniques may include reinforcing roof-to-wall connections, reinforcing roof systems, use of superior roof material attachment methods, placement of a secondary water barrier on roof decking, and protection of all openings (window, door, garage doors and gable vents, etc.) by either installing shutter systems or using wind and impact resistant window and/or door systems.

Evidence demonstrates that safe homes can be built without prohibitive cost increases, especially when cost is calculated in the context of loss of quality of life post-hurricane, the payment of insurance deductibles, and general societal costs. Because of the age of Florida’s housing stock, particular emphasis on meaningful mitigation retrofits to existing homes is critical in order to make people safer in their homes, to allow them to shelter in place, and to reduce their risk of loss. By reducing their risk of loss, policyholders make it less likely that they will need to incur the additional cost of their deductible or suffer the inconvenience and cost associated with temporary housing.

CONSUMER EDUCATION
Programs to educate consumers and contractors regarding true cost benefits of mitigation and availability of insurance incentive programs provide important and useful information for home buyers regarding the value of wind-resistant attributes. These programs are driving a growing market for hurricane mitigation as evidenced by demand for shutters and opening protection technologies. Effective means of spreading this information could be the use of real estate sellers’ disclosure forms.

According to the report issued in 2005 by the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences, “Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities,” each dollar spent on mitigation saves society an average of $4.

During the 2006 General Session, the legislature enacted SB 1980, which created the Florida Comprehensive Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program (My Safe Florida Home) and appropriated $250 million to provide financial incentives to encourage residential property owners of this state to retrofit their properties, making them less vulnerable to hurricane damage and helping decrease the cost of residential property and casualty insurance (see HP, Directory & Buyer’s Guide 2007, page 6). The program provides grants for hurricane shutters, roofing and other improvements to better protect up to 45,000 homes against hurricane damage and reduce the state’s insurance potential maximum loss. The program provides for free home inspections, which must include a rating scale specifying the current and projected wind resistance rating and insurer-specific information on insurance credits and discounts.

The OIR, in an effort to assist policyholders in better understanding the premium discount credits available, has developed a new consumer friendly form that provides information on how credits are calculated, how policyholders can take advantage of the discount credits available, and additional information regarding the Florida Comprehensive Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program. The form requires companies to provide policyholders specific mitigation discount credits to illustrate to policyholders the discounts they received on the hurricane portion of their premium, as well as the discounts amount they may be able to receive should they further mitigate their homes. This form becomes effective March 1, 2007. Thus, companies are required to file their new windstorm mitigation credits with OIR by January 1, 2007.

The answer to the free inspections and resulting insurance savings for mitigating homes can help homeowners make the decision to retrofit their homes. In addition, tax incentives, like a state sales tax rebate program, could help encourage homeowners to invest in their homes’ strength and perform necessary mitigation retrofits. Consumers need additional information and education from their insurance agents and state and local governments on why mitigating their homes is prudent. Specific insurance policy information regarding insurance mitigation discounts should be provided to all policyholders.

Many of the changes will be discussed in a special legislative session to be held in early 2007. Although mitigation will decrease the damage, the insurance issue will not go away without further intervention from both state and federal government legislation.

IHPA ELECTIONS FOR 2007 OFFICERS, DIRECTORS
Elections will be on the agenda at the next General Meeting of the International Hurricane Protection Association to be held Wednesday, February 21, 2007, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Hilton in Deerfield Beach, FL.

IHPA will elect officers and directors from the following slate:

OFFICERS
• President: Bill Feeley (Tie Breaker)
• Vice President: Tom Johnston (Supplier)
• Secretary: Amy Yelverton (Supplier)
• Treasurer: Greg Mann (Supplier)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Manufacturers
• Darius Grimes: Fabric Shield by Wayne Dalton Corp.
• Steve Buzzella: MetalTech, Inc.
• Dave Olmstead: PGT Industries
• Scott Kuntz : Transparent Protection Systems, Inc.

Contractors
• Gene Enyart: Signature Storm Protection, Inc.
• Steve Miller: QMI Roll Shutters
• Bill Spindel: Windshutters
• Sam Markopulos: Window & Shutter Designs Corp.

Associate
• Frank L. Bennardo: Engineering Express
• V. John Knezevich: Thornton Tomasetti

For more information about IHPA, its goals and the upcoming meeting, visit www.inthpa.com.

IHPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MESSAGE
The IHPA officers, directors and administration wish to take this opportunity to wish all a Happy New Year!
The industry is coming out of a very quiet hurricane season. While the tropics were fairly inactive, the IHPA has been on the move.

The IHPA has grown significantly in numbers and influence. We have developed new relationships with other organizations where it has benefited our cause and our membership. We have worked to get our message out to the public. When codes and other issues have been discussed and proposed that affect our members, we’ve been there. We have sponsored and participated in numerous industry shows and fairs, always putting the IHPA in a positive light.

The IHPA is currently involved in renewing memberships for the 2007 calendar year. We urge all current members who have not already renewed, to not delay. We also wish to extend an invitation to all interested hurricane protection organizations to get onboard.

The IHPA has elections coming up in February and the IHPA Membership Directory will be coming out at that time as well. Don’t miss out. We’re proud of our members and proud of our accomplishments. Make sure you’re one of the industry professionals displaying the IHPA Logo.