Hurricane Preparedness for Building Purposes
HURRICANE NOTICE TO DEVELOPERS, CONTRACTORS AND HOMEOWNERS
A “Severe Weather Advisory” shall be defined as any one of the following: a tropical storm warning, a hurricane watch, or a hurricane warning. A “Severe Weather Event” shall be defined as a tropical storm or hurricane.
The following excerpts from the Miami-Dade County Code of Ordinances are to be complied with in the event that hurricane watches and/or warnings are posted for the City of Miami.
Pursuant to Chapter 8, Section 8-16 of the Building Code - Special Hurricane Inspections:
(a) During such periods of time as the National Weather Service has issued a severe weather advisory that is in effect for Miami-Dade County, best efforts must be used so that all furniture, display racks, material and similar loose objects in exposed outdoor locations, including loose material of projects under construction are secured or otherwise appropriately braced to rigid construction or stored in buildings to the extent practicable given the conditions. Orders shall be oral or written and shall be given to any person on the premises most logically responsible for maintenance and such orders shall be carried out before winds of tropical storm velocity are anticipated. (b) After winds of the velocity associated with a severe weather event are experienced and have subsided, the Building Official shall investigate to determine if damage has occurred to buildings or other structures. (c) No building or other structure or assembly or part thereof, which was damaged or collapsed or out of plumb or line shall be repaired or altered or otherwise returned to its original position without inspection and approval by the Building Official.
Pursuant to Chapter 8B, Emergency Management; Section 8B-18 - Requirement To Secure Loose Materials:
A Loose Object” is any object contained in any outdoor location of any residential, commercial, and industrial property in incorporated and unincorporated Miami-Dade County that may become windborne during a severe weather event including but not limited to outdoor furniture such as chairs and tables, display racks, bicycles, toys, loose debris, bulky waste, gardening supplies, household items, and business or industrial supplies or materials.
When a severe weather advisory is issued for Miami-Dade County, or any portion thereof, any loose object as defined herein shall be secured by either: (a) storage of such loose object in a building or structure or (b) bracing, bundling or fastening such loose object to a fixed structure or otherwise in a manner sufficient to prevent such loose object from becoming windborne during a severe weather event or in such manner determined by the County or municipal official charged with enforcing this requirement that will prevent such loose object from being windborne during a severe weather event.
Pursuant to Chapter 8E – Cranes and Hoisting Equipment; Section 8E – Hurricane Preparedness:
(1) Hoisting Equipment shall abide by all manufacturers’ recommendations relating to hurricane preparedness including any relating to the placement and removal of advertisement banners, the use and removal of rigging. (2) Tower crane turntable must be lubricated prior to the event. (3) Mobile cranes with fixed booms must be laid down whenever feasible. (4) Hydraulic cranes must have booms retracted and stored. (5) Any counterweighted hoist must have the counterweight locked below the top tie-in. (6) Tower crane must be set in the weathervane position. (7) All rigging must be removed from the hoist block. (8) All power at base of tower shall be disconnected by a general contractor. (9) A hurricane preparedness plan which conforms with the requirements of this section shall be available at the site for inspection.