After Surfside: Condo Recertification for Standards
After the horrific collapse of the Champlain Towers in Surfside in 2021, the Florida Senate passed SB 4D to ensure that all condo buildings meet structural standards to minimize the chance of this type of catastrophe happening again. According to the bill, all condo buildings that are three stories or taller must be inspected and recertified that they are structurally sound when they become 30-years old and then every 10 years thereafter. Moreover, buildings that are within three miles of the coast must be recertified at 25 years and then every 10 years thereafter.
The recertification process is conducted in two phases. In phase 1, an approved engineer or architect visually inspects the building to ensure it is structurally sound. If it passes this test, then the building is recertified for another 10 years. If it does not pass, then the phase 2 inspection includes a more in-depth analysis of the building and remediation plan. Another key part of the bill requires that condo associations fund a structural integrity reserve study every 10 years. This study assesses all the buildings key structural and functional systems, including its windows.
A building’s windows are a key line of defense against the elements. Cracks, leaks, broken waterproofing seals, or rotted window sills can allow water into the building and over time compromise its structural integrity. If you are a condo board member and you are concerned about your building’s windows passing inspection, don’t wait until it’s time for your milestone inspection to act. Have your windows inspected right away so you can update them before your 30-year inspection and pass with flying colors.
If you need to update your windows, consider upgrading to hurricane impact windows. Hurricane impact windows provide the best possible defense against Florida’s powerful hurricanes and damaging winds. They allow residents to avoid the use of hurricane shutters during a storm, making the hurricane experience more pleasant and less stressful. They also increase your building’s safety every day since they are nearly impenetrable to break-ins. Other benefits of hurricane impact windows include their sound-proofing ability and UV-light blocking ability, making them an environmentally friendly choice as well. These high-performance windows can increase the desirability of your condo community and the comfort of your residents during a storm and in their daily life.
Condo communities throughout South Florida trust CitiQuiet Windows and Doors as their hurricane impact window supplier. We offer a wide variety of brands to meet your specific needs and budget. We also simplify the process by offering turnkey service – we manage the entire process for you, from securing permits, to measuring, installing, clean-up and addressing any post-installation concerns. Call us today to learn how we can help your condo association upgrade your windows to pass your 30 year milestone inspection and improve your residents’ quality of life.
Since 2012, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors has been engineering and installing high-quality impact windows, doors, and shutters for residential and commercial buildings throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties.
Based in Boca Raton, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors offers a turnkey service to clients including initial design, engineering, and permitting, installation and finish work. From elegant French doors to hurricane impact-resistant windows and sliding glass doors, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors has your solution.
At CitiQuiet Windows and Doors, we carry only the highest-quality products from the nation’s top manufacturers – and we stand behind everything we sell. For a free estimate, contact CitiQuiet Windows and Doors at 561-241-9463, visit us atcitiquiethurricanewindows.com, or stop by the showroom today at 6530 West Rogers Circle, Suite 29, Boca Raton, FL 33487.
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