NU Online News Service, Aug. 17, 3:59 p.m. EDT
Among the states most affected by Hurricane Katrina five years ago, only Louisiana has taken decisive steps to adopt a statewide building code, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).
Less than six months after the country's most devastating hurricane, "Louisiana lawmakers put aside political challenges and took the bold step of adopting the statewide code because it was the right thing to do," said a report from IBHS written by Wanda Edwards, director of code development, and Candace J. Iskowitz, director of public affairs.
However, Mississippi and Alabama have not adopted a code for all areas of the states. Mississippi "should do more to protect its citizens by addressing the structural weaknesses in properties exposed to hurricane-force winds and rains," and in Alabama there have been "numerous unsuccessful attempts" by the state legislature to pass a statewide code.
Only seven of the 82 counties in Mississippi are required to enforce wind and flood requirements, but they are an outdated version of the international building code standards, IBHS said. The state created the Mississippi Building Code Council in 2006 but it is no longer meeting, IBHS added. A statewide code was "met with significant opposition, which led to several unsuccessful legislative efforts."
The Alabama Building Commission requires only state-owned buildings, hotels and motels, and movie theaters to follow building code requirements, IBHS said. Cities can adopt codes, but adoption and enforcement are voluntary.
Still, Alabama in 2009 passed a law requiring insurers to provide discounts to homeowners who build, rebuild or retrofit homes to better withstand hurricanes.
The Louisiana Uniform Construction Code is based on the 2006 version of the International Building Code and the International Residential Code–both created by the International Code Council. The state mandates enforcement through building officials, plan reviewers and inspectors.
The IBHS said Louisiana has struggled financially to establish staff and manage inspection departments, and contractors are still learning the code.
"The state must be commended for taking steps toward building homes that are more likely to survive the next hurricane," IBHS said.
Florida has some of the nation's best building codes, IBHS said. South Carolina is also operating under the latest code guidelines statewide.
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