flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Florida condo collapse spurs increased scrutiny on inspections, regulations

Codes and Standards

Florida condo collapse spurs increased scrutiny on inspections, regulations

Insurers demand proof of current inspections.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | July 19, 2021

The collapse of a condominium tower in Surfside, Fla., has spurred regulators and insurers to more carefully scrutinize the condition of other high-rise residential dwellings.

Miami-Dade County has increased oversight of buildings undergoing the mandatory 40-year recertification process. Residents of a residential tower in North Miami Beach were ordered to evacuate the structure after a review of a recent engineering report warned of safety concerns.

In San Francisco, media reports raised renewed concerns over the safety of the 58-story Millennium Tower, which has tilted and sunk 18-inches since its opening in 2009. The engineer for that structure says, however, that it was built to a more stringent standard and that comparisons with the Surfside tower are unfounded.

Insurers have demanded that several condo associations show proof of current inspections, according to the Miami Herald. The New York Times reported that Miami-Dade County officials were investigating 24 multistory buildings that failed 40-year inspections or hadn’t submitted required documentation.

Related Stories

Concrete | Jul 19, 2023

Public policy hindering widespread adoption of sustainable concrete

Researchers are making significant strides in reducing embedded carbon in concrete, but public policies have been slow to adopt this more sustainable option.

Sustainability | Jul 19, 2023

California lawmakers approve governor’s plan to accelerate green construction

California lawmakers recently approved Gov. Gavin Newsom’s infrastructure streamlining plan that aims to accelerate clean energy and infrastructure projects.

Codes and Standards | Jul 19, 2023

Office leasing in major markets by financial services firms rebounds to pre-pandemic norms

Though the pandemic led to reductions in office leasing by financial services firms in gateway markets, a recent report by JLL found a notable leasing resurgence by those firms.

Codes and Standards | Jul 17, 2023

Outdated federal rainfall analysis impacting infrastructure projects, flood insurance

Severe rainstorms, sometimes described as “atmospheric rivers” or “torrential thunderstorms,” are making the concept of a “1-in-100-year flood event” obsolete, according to a report from First Street Foundation, an organization focused on weather risk research. 

Sponsored | Fire and Life Safety | Jul 12, 2023

Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings [AIA course]

Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.

Codes | Jul 10, 2023

Water Demand Calculator outperforms traditional plumbing codes for energy, carbon, and water savings

Using IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator tool can result in energy, carbon, and water savings as compared to using traditional plumbing specification methods in plumbing codes, according to a study by Arup.

Contractors | Jun 30, 2023

Construction industry task force aims for standardized carbon reporting

A newly formed Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) task force on decarbonization and carbon reporting will address the challenges around reporting and reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry.

Standards | Jun 30, 2023

New ASHRAE standard aims to reduce disease transmission risk in indoor spaces

ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of disease transmission by exposure to infectious aerosols in new buildings, existing buildings, and major renovations. Infectious aerosols are tiny, exhaled particles that can carry pathogens that cause infections or disease.

Affordable Housing | Jun 27, 2023

Racial bias concerns prompt lawmakers to ask HUD to ban biometric surveillance, including facial recognition

Two members of the U.S. House of Representative have asked the Department of Housing and Urban Development to end the use of biometric technology, including facial recognition, for surveillance purposes in public housing. 

Standards | Jun 26, 2023

New Wi-Fi standard boosts indoor navigation, tracking accuracy in buildings

The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021