NC WINDBORNE DEBRIS REGION HEARING
The North Carolina Building Code Council held a hearing in Raleigh on September 10 to discuss opening of the wind-borne debris region beyond 1,500 feet from the coast. The council was required to study the issue by the legislature and coastal jurisdictions that have been losing their NFIP discounts because of the code modification. There is incentive for the state to embrace the ASCE 7 definition of a wind-borne debris region.

A number of letters from IHPA members were submitted relating to the Florida experience regarding the Panhandle Windborne Debris Region. It also was pointed out that the study that was prepared by Applied Research Associates several years ago quoted pricing of impact resistant IG windows. Most manufacturers of these products had not even launched their products at that time.

IHPA members Amy and Bobby Berckman, owners, Coastal Awnings, Inc., Morehead City, NC, along with Bob Stott, owner, All Shutters and Screens, Port St. Lucie, FL, attended the meeting. Bob Stott filed a report which reads, in part:

“Everyone that spoke up at the public input part of the meeting . . . insurance companies, FEMA, ASCE rep, the commissioner, [and] except for one builder wanted the council to vote against the proposed increased area and go for the full ASCE-7 and the IBC standard instead. I think the original proposal has a good chance of making it and the full ASCE-7 a 50/50 chance because of the retrofitting of older homes in the area . . . So they might vote for mandatory ASCE-7 for new homes and voluntary for older homes . . . It was pointed out by many people that North Carolina was the only coastal state not following the ASCE guidelines. So there is good pressure for the council to act responsibly on this matter.”

The final vote of the council will be in December.

MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME FAIRS
The IHPA exhibited at a number of the Fortify Florida Fairs being conducted throughout the state of Florida. Tom Johnston, IHPA vice president, attended the fair held in Pensacola on September 15. IHPA board member Bill Spindell and Don Leggett, Insurance Office of America, attended the Clearwater Fair.

Visitors at each fair were provided information regarding the benefits of approved hurricane protection products, a listing of IHPA/MSFH Certified Contractors and information on how to choose a contractor.
The purpose of the fairs is to help educate homeowners about the services provided by the My Safe Florida Home program, including the availability and benefits of free wind inspections as well as the safety and financial benefits of protecting their homes against hurricanes. The fairs are free to the public and include a variety of exhibitors involved in and committed to strengthening homes against catastrophic losses.

The fairs, thus far, have been very well attended. The next event is slatted for the Ft. Lauderdale area. Details are expected to be announced soon.

PENSACOLA MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME FAIR BREAKS ATTENDANCE RECORDS
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has announced that the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) Fair in Pensacola September 15 broke all previous MSFH event records with attendance of more than 3,000 North Floridians.

In a five-hour span, representatives from the MSFH program raised awareness about the safety and financial incentives available through the program and helped more than 1,000 homeowners sign up for a free wind inspection.

“I am thankful to the Floridians who attended the My Safe Florida Home Fair . . . and the members of our department who worked so hard to make this event a success,” said Sink, who oversees the program. “Not only were we able to sign up 1,000 Floridians for a free wind inspection, we were also able to promote the importance of mitigation in our state.”

Sink hosted the MSFH Fair along with the Escambia County Commission, Gulf Power Corp. and WEAR-TV. The fair featured various hurricane-preparedness exhibits and more than 60 vendors. State Representatives Clay Ford (R-Pensacola) and Dave Murzin (R-Pensacola), along with local elected officials from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, were on hand Saturday at the Pensacola Civic Center to promote the program.

Recently, Sink reported that nearly 75 percent of homeowners who have received inspections from the MSFH program have learned they are eligible for a discount of 16.3 percent on their wind insurance premiums. Savings vary by region, and through the program, 1,652 Escambia County residents have learned they are eligible to receive an average windstorm insurance discount of 20 percent, or $253.66 annually.

To date, the MSFH program has completed more than 92,000 free wind inspections. More than 113,000 Florida homeowners have signed up for free wind inspections through the program, signifying the program has exceeded 25 percent of its long-term goal of 400,000 free wind inspections in the next two years. More than 9,700 homeowners statewide have been approved to receive matching grants to make the improvements recommended on their inspection reports. To date, more than 1,100 homeowners have received matching grants totaling more than $3.4 million.

Any Floridian who lives in a single-family, site-built home is eligible for a free wind inspection through the MSFH program, which helps Floridians identify how they can strengthen their homes and reduces the overall potential for hurricane damage in our state. Floridians can apply online at www.MySafeFloridaHome.com or by calling the program toll-free at (866) 513-6734. Homeowners who receive free wind inspections through the MSFH program will receive a detailed inspection report, complete with additional information on estimated insurance premium discounts, if insurance information is provided at the time they applied.

22ND AAF SHOW THE REAL DEAL
The IHPA and Hurricane Protection magazine exhibited in the 22nd Aluminum Association of Florida Aluminum Glass & Remodeling Show, “The Real Deal,” at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL. The three-day event featured a golf outing, CEU seminar program along with an exhibit hall showcasing more than 50 companies within the aluminum industry.

The AAF, a not-for-profit association, was founded in 1975 by a few devoted aluminum contractors. The AAF is a professional trade association for contractors, fabricators and suppliers of products and services in the aluminum industry. Its 2008 show will take place August 21 to 23 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL.

The following IHPA members exhibited this year’s show:

• All Points Screw, Bolts & Specialty Co.
• Alutech United
• ASI Building Products
• Dr. Shutter
• Eastern Metal Supply
• Elco Construction Fastening Products
• E.T.A. Aluminum Services, Inc.
• E-Tempest.Com Inc.
• Hurricane Armor
• ITW Buildex
• Innovative Protective Products
• MetalTech
• Town & Country