R.I. building code seen improved in hurricane preparations

RHODE ISLAND IMPROVED in hurricane preparation, according to the Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RHODE ISLAND IMPROVED in hurricane preparation, according to the Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

TAMPA, Fla. – Citing Rhode Island’s adoption of the 2012 International Code Council building codes, the Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety said Thursday the state is better prepared in the event of a hurricane compared to its last report.
The Institute first released a report in January 2012 that examined residential building codes of 18 coastal states prone to hurricanes. The Ocean State ranked eighth in the original report. Rhode Island was one of nine states to improve in the year and a half since, according to the new report.
While the Institute said the state has taken net positive action by instituting the new building code in July, the update said the state continues to take actions the original report called negative. The state has not adequately addressed protecting home openings from flying debris or structurally strengthening residential buildings’ frames, according to the report.
Massachusetts ranked fourth in preparedness in the Institute’s original report. The Bay State has not taken any action to improve or weaken its preparation level since the report, according to the update. Florida was ranked highest in terms of taking action to improve while Mississippi ranked last.
The International Code Council sets the global standard in building codes, according to its website.

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