Explaining Florida Roof Building Codes

Building codes are changed periodically as new materials or construction methods are introduced to the market, and it is determined that these innovations would be beneficial to the residential or business consumer. However, building codes are often revised in the state of Florida in response to a catastrophic event – usually a hurricane – which causes us to rethink what we thought were adequate construction standards prior to the event.

Case in point, some of Florida’s most sweeping building code changes were implemented in direct response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The hurricane, which made landfall south of Miami and caused extensive damage in the town of Homestead, inspired lawmakers to completely revisit the codes. In 1996, comprehensive building code changes were passed into law, and incremental changes have come into effect since that time. These building codes affect everything from windows to roofing. Given the number of blue tarps seen after many hurricanes, roof building codes are important to understand and abide by.

Florida roof building codes are currently among the most stringent building codes in the country. Each Florida roofing code approval is connected to a specific installation condition and requires strict roofing installation methods which are outlined in the approval documents. Sarasota has High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) and non-HVHZ building code approvals, as does the entire state.

The good news is that an established, licensed and insured roofing company will have comprehensive knowledge of all the updated roof building codes. If you are replacing a roof which was built before the new codes were implemented, they will be able to make the changes necessary to get your roof up to code. Any new roof installation will be constructed to meet all local codes as well. This is one of the many reasons why it is so important to choose your roofing contractor carefully. The structure of your roof – and the safety it provides to your home and family – is too important to leave to a fly-by-night roofing contractor. Not only will you be putting yourself at unnecessary risk of damage or injury in a major storm, but you may find yourself facing fines for a roof which is not up to code.

Examples of Roof Building Codes for High-Velocity Zones

Because the Gulf Coast is likely to experience hurricane force winds on an annual basis, high velocity building codes are generally utilized. Here are just a few examples of what your roofer will be installing on your roof.

Roof decks and roof coverings must be designed for specified wind loads, broken down by roofing material type. Materials must be tested to demonstrate physical integrity over the working life of the roof based upon 2,000 hours of exposure to accelerated weathering tests.
Roofing materials will also be expected to pass tests proving they will resist impact damage and fire-tested based upon the type of materials used.
Flashing is required to seal roofing systems, and should be installed in such a manner so as to prevent moisture entering the wall and roof through joints in copings, through moisture-permeable materials and at intersections with parapet walls and other penetrations through the roof plane.
Unless roofs are sloped to drain over roof edges, design and installation of roof drainage systems, as well as secondary drains or scuppers, must be installed according to code. Gutters placed on the outside of buildings, private garages and buildings of Type V construction must be made of noncombustible material or code-compliant plastic pipe.

Overall, the codes are set in place to make sure that the roof deck, underlayment, roofing materials and all associated systems have ben built, tested and proven to withstand the types of conditions we expect in Florida. Although little can be done to truly protect against the biggest of storms, these precautions built into the roof building codes will allow many homeowners to quite literally weather the vast majority of the storms they will face.

If you have any questions about your Sarasota residence in regards to the roof structure, or would like to learn if there is anything additional you can do to reinforce your roof- give Avery Roofing a call today. We have been Sarasota’s trusted roofing company for decades.