What Kind of Code Body Uses a Hurricane to Deceptively Promote Themselves?

Cam Fentriss, FRSA LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL

What is it called when you use a tragedy to make money?

Wrong.

What is it called when you do not wait for any of the facts to come in before you start claiming you know the reason for storm damage?

Also wrong.

Florida suffers a hurricane, and before the wind dies down, the ICC cheerleading squad reaches out to the press and says things would have been better if Florida would just go along with the International Building Code (IBC) instead of that crummy Florida Building Code. Unfortunately, some in the press don’t even bother to check facts and just gobble up the shiny ICC candy – and print whatever the cheerleaders say.

Hey, reporters, here’s a newsflash – for hurricanes and wind mitigation, the Florida Building Code is stronger than the IBC. Please write that on a note and tack it to your bulletin board for the next hurricane when you are going to get another “helpful” call from an ICC cheerleader looking to capitalize on destruction before anyone can determine why it happened.

Let’s Do a History Lesson – Again

First, there was the Florida Building Code. Then there was the International Building Code. The Florida Building Code is updated every three years. Every three years, the Florida Building Commission evaluates and considers whatever is in the current version of the IBC. Applicable improvements that are not cost prohibitive are adopted in Florida. Florida also adopts its own improvements, many of which are based on needs for a state that may have the greatest hurricane risk of any in the continental United States.

I know you will think it odd, but Florida does not adopt the IBC improvements related to snow.

Various interest groups in Florida, including FRSA, spend time at the ICC code adoption meetings trying to include stronger hurricane provisions. The success rate is not that great. The success rate for adopting better hurricane provisions in the Florida Building Code is better. Would it make sense for Florida to operate under a code that is less geared toward hurricanes and more geared toward snow? No.

So why do the ICC and its cheerleaders want Florida to blindly go along with the IBC? Well, it could be all about money. The ICC is mostly a money-making business. The ICC does not make as much money if Florida and other states have their own code. The ICC makes the most money if every state (and some countries, I am sure) will agree to operate under the IBC. It is a classic case – if you run every other competitor out of town, you can name your price. That sure does seem to be the goal of the ICC.

As it turns out, structures built under the Florida Building Code are performing very well, especially as compared to structures built
before the adoption of the FBC. I think the ICC and its cheerleaders know that. I think that may be why they are so quick to tap their press contacts with what seems to be propaganda.

Shame on you ICC and your cheerleaders!

FRM

Anna Cam Fentriss is an attorney licensed in Florida since 1988 representing clients with legislative and state agency interests. Cam has represented FRSA since 1993, is an Honorary Member of FRSA, recipient of the FRSA President’s Award and the Campanella Award in 2010.