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
3D Printing | Jun 20, 2023
World's largest 3D-printed building completed in Florida
Printed Farms, known for completing Florida’s first permitted 3D-printed house in Tallahassee, announces the completion of the world’s largest 3D-printed building: a luxury horse barn.
Resiliency | Jun 14, 2023
HUD offers $4.8 billion in funding for green and resilient building retrofit projects
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released guidelines for its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) that has $4.8 billion for funding green projects.
Engineers | Jun 5, 2023
How to properly assess structural wind damage
Properly assessing wind damage can identify vulnerabilities in a building's design or construction, which could lead to future damage or loss, writes Matt Wagner, SE, Principal and Managing Director with Walter P Moore.
Energy-Efficient Design | Jun 5, 2023
Implementing an ‘asset drawdown strategy’ for site decarbonization
Solidifying a decarbonization plan via an “asset drawdown strategy” that carefully considers both capital and operating costs represents a game-changing opportunity for existing properties to compete with new projects.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Jun 5, 2023
27 important questions about façade leakage
Walter P Moore’s Darek Brandt discusses the key questions building owners and property managers should be asking to determine the health of their building's façade.
Mass Timber | Jun 2, 2023
First-of-its-kind shake test concludes mass timber’s seismic resilience
Last month, a 10-story mass timber structure underwent a seismic shake test on the largest shake table in the world.
3D Printing | May 12, 2023
World’s first 3D-printed medical center completed
3D construction printing reached new heights this week as the world’s first 3D-printed medical center was completed in Thailand.
Sustainability | May 11, 2023
Let's build toward a circular economy
Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, discusses the values of well-designed, regenerative buildings.
Resiliency | Apr 18, 2023
AI-simulated hurricanes could aid in designing more resilient buildings
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have devised a new method of digitally simulating hurricanes in an effort to create more resilient buildings. A recent study asserts that the simulations can accurately represent the trajectory and wind speeds of a collection of actual storms.
Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2023
Watch: Trends in urban design for 2023, with James Corner Field Operations
Isabel Castilla, a Principal Designer with the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, discusses recent changes in clients' priorities about urban design, with a focus on her firm's recent projects.
