Embrace "code-plus" building techniques, mandate disclosure of a
home's hurricane readiness, FLASH tells windstorm mitigation committee

TALLAHASSEE (February 22, 2007) - The state should continue to stress 'code-plus' building techniques in its hurricane mitigation efforts if programs like My Safe Florida Home are to work, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson told the Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee on Thursday. 

"Building codes are always the minimum standard and are understandably slow to change," said Chapman-Henderson.  "They cannot keep pace with what we are learning about what works and what doesn’t for reducing wind and water damage from windstorms such as hurricanes.  Encouraging people to build and retrofit to standards higher than the building codes will significantly reduce hurricane damage."

Chapman-Henderson was invited to speak before the legislative committee, which was created to analyze solutions and programs designed to mitigate the effects of windstorms on structures.  This week FLASH will complete its work on the pilot phase of the My Safe Florida Home Program, a new state program that offers free home inspections and matching wind mitigation grants to homeowners.

Chapman-Henderson also called for state mandated disclosure of windstorm resistance features for Florida homes upon their sale or resale.

"As homebuyers look at different housing options, they should know exactly how the houses they are considering compare in regards to hurricane readiness ," Chapman-Henderson said. 
Additional recommendations Chapman-Henderson made to the committee included:

• Establishing an independent consumer presence on the Florida Building Commission;
• Strengthening state product approval standards so that products are required to meet the most stringent test standards;
• Supporting affordable housing as essential in Florida but redefining it to include disaster-resistant housing;
• Maintaining and enhancing training, licensing, continuing education, and high performance standards for all state-funded mitigation programs;

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