MyFloridaCode.com

Ace,

Please don't be too hasty to condemn the building departments because some aren't as lenient (or strapped for manpower) as others.  The roofing mitigation retrofit requirements are pretty specific and building departments are charged with ascertaining compliance, one way or another.  Some departments which still have enough folks around to provide complete supplemental fastener inspections and some who don't really have enough staff, but fearing complaints against their own state-issued licenses, may insist on them.  Others may just not be able to juggle their limited resources well enough to promise a deck inspection, even the following day, and may resort to in-progress inspections or some other means.  All it takes is one disgruntled building owner with a faulty reroof or contract dispute to call in a forensic inspector/engineer, find sheathing (any amount) without the proper number/placement of fasteners and the DBPR complaints begin to fly. . . against the contractor's license as well as the building inspector's and often the building official's, too.  Some departments have been pretty creative in managing this responsibility without being excessively heavy-handed but not all feel like they can afford to stick their necks out even a little way.

With respect to insurance companies pursuing legal action against building departments because of their rigorous inspection policies, I have never heard of that happening and doubt such action would get very far through the system.  My suggestion would be for the local chapter of FRSA (Florida's association of roofing professionals) to arrange a meeting with the building officials to discuss the issues, and alternatives if any may exist.  There will always be some who understand that their responsibility is to affirm compliance and feel that can only be accomplished by viewing every sheet and every nail.  It's hard to say they aren't correct.

Bob McCormick
CodeWorks, Inc.
9311 University Blvd
Orlando, FL 32817-1708
407-718-6202
rmccormick at prodigy.net
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: OrlandoCoolAce at gmail.com 
  To: codetalk at myfloridacode.com 
  Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 5:49 AM
  Subject: [Florida Code Talk] Reroof Inspections


  I hear constant complaints from contractors about the new reroof inspection requirements, and it's hard not to understand their complaints. Many jurisdictions are requiring that a contractor completely strip a roof and renail and wait for the inspector. Logically, it's hard to strip a roof and renail and have it inspected in one day since the inspector might be coming early in the morning. So, the contractor typically starts on one day and then has to wait until the next day to get the inspection. To me it seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen. I spoke to a contractor about this yesterday and he stated that he went to a seminar put on by his insurance company and he asked about this very scenario. The insurance rep assured him that if he was denied the abiltity to cover the roof by the Building Department that his company would certainly be very aggressive in pursuing legal action against the local Building Department for any damages to the house. 

  From my perspective the whole thing doesn't make any sense. I'm not sure why it isn't a standard that all Building Departments require an in progress inspection for this type of inspection. Wasn't the whole reason for this new code to prevent water damage to the interior of houses? It seems that this lack of cooperation between contractors and building departments is creating a scenario where water damage is possible. I've checked the code book myself, and there is nothing that states that clearly describes the scope of this required inspection, so it is possible that building departments could show some understanding and allow roofing contractors some liberty on this matter. 

  Anyway, that's my soap box speach for the day. You are welcome to chime in and provide your perspective, especially if you work for a building department that has this policy of wanting a contractor to strip a roof and wait. 
  Thanks, 
  Ace


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