The Florida Building Commission, to the dismay of an insurer's group, has voted to maintain weaker wind-resistant building requirements for the Panhandle area.

The 11-9 vote favored limiting the current standards to the present coverage area where wind resistant measures for building windows are required.

Commission attorney Jim Richmond said state officials have generally considered the “shielding affect” of the Panhandle as a reason to mandate a smaller area for such protection.

To change the Panhandle standard to match the rest of the state would have required a super-majority of 16 votes, Mr. Richmond noted.

But insurance industry representatives felt the commissioners missed an important chance to strengthen building codes.

“The Commission's decision defies explanation,” said William Stander, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) assistant vice president and regional manager.

Mr. Stander added, “We know tougher building codes save lives, reduce property damage, speed post-storm recovery, and protect property values. Moreover, the cost of building homes and commercial properties to meet the higher standards is minimal compared to the enormous value such codes provide.”

Mr. Stander pointed out that the 2004 storm season verified that the entire state is vulnerable to hurricanes and that there is no reason to have a weakened building code in the Panhandle.

“The Commission put the interests of developers before consumers,” said Stander. “Their stubborn intransigence will result in many more individuals losing their homes and businesses when the next storm hits.”

Mr. Stander said the commission vote flies in the face of efforts by Gov. Jeb Bush to strengthen building codes in the state.

Special Reports /

Florida Panel Nixes Tougher Panhandle Rule

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