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Effective October 1, 2007 legislation went into effect which will result in significant cost increases when re-roofing
a residential structure. This new law may also require the installation of storm shutters whether you want them or not.
The stated goal of these legislative provisions is to strengthen existing site-built, single family residential structures
to resist hurricanes.
Each passage of the new law has been quoted and underlined below. Each passage is then followed by commentary intended to
help the reader interpret and grasp its impact.
101 Retrofits Required. Pursuant to Section 553.884, Florida Statutes, strengthening of existing site-built, single family
residential structures to resist hurricanes shall be provided.
101.1 When a roof on an existing site-built, single family residential structure is replaced:
(a) Roof-decking attachment and fasteners shall be strengthened and corrected as required by section 201.1.
This provision requires that when reroofing an existing structure, the existing roof decking be re-nailed to
the trusses and/or supporting framing members.
(b) A secondary water barrier shall be provided as required by section 201.2.
This provision requires that when reroofing an existing structure, a secondary water barrier be installed atop the roof
decking prior to the installation of the roofing membrane. The method discussed by the State’s Building Commission is the
installation of a “peel & stick” type system atop the plywood decking prior to installing the balance of the roofing materials.
101.2 When a roof is replaced on a building that is located in the wind-borne debris region as defined in s. 1609.2 of the
Florida Building Code, Building and that has an insured value of $300,000 or more or, if the building is uninsured or for which
documentation of insured value is not presented, has a just valuation for the structure for purposes of ad valorem taxation of
$300,000 or more:
(a) Roof to wall connections shall be improved as required by section 201.3.
(b) Mandated retrofits of the roof-to-wall connection shall not be required beyond a 15 percent increase in the cost of re-roofing.
(c) Where complete retrofits of all the roof-to-wall connections as prescribed in Section 201.3 would exceed 15 percent of the cost of the
re-roofing project, the priorities outlined in Section 201.3.5 shall be used to limit the scope of work to the 15 percent limit.
These provisions requires that when reroofing an existing structure located within a wind borne debris region and having a taxable
value of more than $300,000, roof/truss strapping must be verified and added as needed. The cost of this verification and addition
has been capped at no more than 15% of the cost of the reroof itself. The verification and addition is to be performed by removing
the first 6 feet of decking at each corner along each eave. Once removed, if deficient strapping is encountered additional strapping
is to be added. This process is to repeat until all of the strapping has been added or the 15% dollar value has been met.
101.3 When any activity requiring a building permit that is applied for on or after July 1, 2008, and for which the estimated cost
is $50,000 or more for a building that is located in the wind borne debris region as defined in s. 1609.2 of the Florida Building Code,
Building and that has an insured value of $750,000 or more, or, if the building is uninsured or for which documentation of insured value
is not presented, has a just valuation for the structure for purposes of ad valorem taxation of $750,000 or more:
(a) Opening protections as required within the Florida Building Code, Building or Florida Building Code, Residential for new construction shall be provided.
This provision requires that when performing work worth more than $50,000 (that requires a permit) on an existing structure located within a wind borne debris region
and having a taxable value of more than $750,000, opening protection must be added to all openings. In other words, if a permit is pulled for work that totals more
then $50,000 on a beach home worth more than $750,000, that home will be required to add shutters, debris protection or replace all of its doors and windows. It is
worth noting that the cost of adding shutters or replacing all of the doors and windows will eclipse the original $50,000 project.
101.4 When retrofit enhancement of gable end bracing is provided during construction which otherwise requires a permit the techniques in Appendix A shall be allowed.
This provision is not a requirement but merely a recommendation that when retrofitting the gable ends on a residence, the prescribed methods be followed. Those methods have
been graphically depicted and are attached in appendix A of the law.
While none of these provisions are found within the code, they are to be enforced by the building departments throughout the State as a legislative addendum to the code. The
challenge for Code Officials is to resolve the inherent conflicts that are sure to arise between these requirements and those of the Florida Building Code. Conflicts such as;
this new law does not account for current code compliance, how inspections are to be performed, or whether the roofer is qualified to do framing work.
If you have a code question, our forensic group is ready to answer your questions or assist you in developing a code compliant solution.
Contact William Bracken at wbracken@brackenengineering.com.
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