Connecticut’s Governor Dannel Malloy has directed state agencies to develop new building code standards that will better protect residential and commercial structures from damage caused by flooding and high winds.
The governor’s office said in a statement that the action is being taken due to the expectation of more frequent and severe weather events as a result of global warming. The state’s Department of Administrative Services (DAS), the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Insurance Department (CID) will work with the State Building Inspector to ensure that the next revision to the state building code contains standards to improve resiliency of new and renovated homes and buildings.
“Over the past several years, revisions to the state the building code have incorporated higher energy efficiency standards to help reduce demand for electricity, heat, and water,” Malloy said. “We believe it is now time to strengthen building codes to help protect buildings from damage caused by the high winds and flooding that come with severe weather conditions. Experts say that every dollar invested in more resilient construction can save $4 in insurance claims, which is a significant return on investment.”
Among the measure that will be examined, are:
- Requirement to seal seams in the roof deck to eliminate or reduce the volume of water that can seep in if shingles are blown off in a storm
- Stronger tie-down of roofs to the building structure and gable end vents
- Require impact resistant glass in areas of state subject to high winds
Related Stories
Resiliency | Apr 22, 2019
Turner Construction doubles down on jobsite efficiency
The company targets a 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions and water use from construction activities by 2030.
Resiliency | Mar 29, 2019
Designing for resiliency: Lessons learned from Hurricane Florence along the Carolina Coast
Resilient design principles will be critical in preparing our communities for future storms, writes LS3P's Charles H. Boney, FAIA.
Resiliency | Mar 7, 2019
Building for resilience - All about RELi
Sustainable design strategies create more resilient buildings. However, only truly focused purposeful resilient design strategies will create the adaptation needed.
Resiliency | Feb 27, 2019
ResilientSEE: A framework to achieve resilience across scales
Conceived in the Boston studio of Perkins+Will, the ResilientSEE team developed a resilient planning framework that can be applied to other neighborhoods, cities, and countries.
Sustainability | Oct 25, 2018
As project delivery models evolve, designers rethink their role
New York City’s newest university campus, Cornell Tech, pushes the limits of sustainable and resilient design.
Resiliency | Sep 4, 2018
It takes more than money to fund resilience
Resilient design, much like all projects in the built environment, requires funding.
Resiliency | May 17, 2018
Architects brief lawmakers and policy-makers on disaster recovery as hurricane season approaches
Urge senate passage of disaster recovery reform act; Relationship-building with local communities.
Resiliency | Feb 21, 2018
Resilience team selected to help protect a vulnerable Bridgeport, Conn., from floods
The design and construction project would perpetuate efforts that date back several years.
Resiliency | Jan 24, 2018
A luxury community in Florida mandates resilience in new-home construction
Alys Beach’s in-house GC builds to standards set by the FORTIFIED program.
Resiliency | Jan 24, 2018
Effort to develop first whole-community resilience benchmarks for buildings, water, and energy launched
Volunteers sought for committee openings.
