Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) Further Revised in Advance of September 20, 2011 Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Rule Hearing

In advance of a September 20, 2011 Rule Hearing, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) released an updated version of the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (“Form OIR-B1-1802”) The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 116 of the Larson Building in Tallahassee. 

A copy of the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form is attached.

Proposed changes have been made to Form OIR-B1-1802, partially as a result of feedback provided by interested parties at the June 20, 2011 OIR workshop.  These changes include the following:

• Building Code:  The addition of a permit application date was added to determine whether to use the new or existing credits table.
• Roof Covering:  The word “Predominant” in regard to roof coverings was removed.  Further, a table was inserted to provide information on the different roof covering types to include 1) the permit application date, 2) Florida Building Code or Miami-Dade Building Code product approval number, 3) year of original installation or replacement, or 4) no information provided. 
• Roof Deck Attachment:  The “weakest form of roof deck attachment” section was amended and clarified.
• Roof-to-Wall Attachment:  Revised the minimal conditions to qualify for categories B (clips),C (single wraps), or D (double wraps) to specify that all visible metal connectors must be secured with a minimum of three nails AND attached to the wall top plate of the wall framing or embedded in the bond beam with specific conditions.  Further, the language relating to “single wraps” was changed to specify that they be secured with a minimum of two nails on the front side and a minimum of one nail on the opposite side.  Language relating to “Double wraps” was changed to require two nails on the front and one on the back for two separate straps and three nails on each side for a single strap.  Changes to the Toe Nails and Clips also were addressed.
• Roof Geometry:  The term “Flat Roof” was added to descriptions of the roof shape.
• Secondary Water Resistance (“SWR”): Clarification was added to specify that standard underlayments or hot-mopped felts do not qualify as an SWR.  
• Opening Protection:  The Windborne Debris Protection Level Chart was updated.   Items relating to exterior opening protection items were revised. 

The new form also includes changes to the qualified inspector section found on Page Four of Form OIR-B1-1802.  A home inspector can become a qualified inspector if he or she completes the statutory number of hours of mitigation training approved by Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board and subsequently completes a proficiency exam. 

Further, inspectors deemed as “qualified” are liable for the “misconduct” of their employees, rather than “acts.” 

A disclaimer was added at the end of Form OIR-B1-1802, which notes that the definitions on the Form are for inspection purposes and cannot be used to certify any product or construction feature as offering protection from hurricanes. 

Also, the sections of Form OIR-B1-1802 that include reference to Gable End Bracing and Wall Construction Type were deleted.  

Form OIR-B1-1802 is valid for five years, provided no material changes have been made to a structure. 

Should you have suggested changes to the attached draft Form OIR-B1-1802, please advise Colodny Fass prior to September 20, 2011. 

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