007-1998 LTC
CITY OF
MIAMI
BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139
LETTER TO THE COMMISSION
TELEPHONE: (305) 673-7010
FAX: (305) 673-7782
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
DATE:
January 15, 1998
~ 7-1998
FROM:
Mayor Neisen Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
S~rgio ROdrigUeZ~^/.L~
Clty Manager tJtr'.. r '
Building Code Effectiveness Grading Classification
TO:
RE:
Please be advised that the City of Miami Beach's classification
in the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) has
been upgraded from a class 3 to a class 2 effective February 1,
1998 (see attached report). The BCEGS program has assigned each
municipality a BCEGS grade of 1 (best) to 10 (no recognized
protection). The City of Miami Beach's assigned BCEGS grade is
one of the highest grades among the municipalities in the South
Florida region. Most have been graded as class 3, 4, 5 or 6. No
municipality has been graded as class 1 in the State of Florida.
The BCEGS assesses the building codes in effect in a community
and how the community enforces its building codes, with special
emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. The BCEGS
classifications for each community are used by insurance
companies for underwriting purposes. BCEGS is similar in concept
to Insurance Services Office, Inc. 's (ISO) Public Protection
Classification (PPC) evaluations of municipal fire-suppression
capabilities used by insurers for decades. Insurers that
currently receive PPC classifications will automatically receive
BCEGS advisory credits and related underwriting information. The
ISO rating will translate into discounts for property insurance
policies.
Please join me in commending the Building Department staff for
their consistent and valuable efforts on behalf of the residents
of thi~cbmmunity.
~ ~)
SR~: rld
c: LTC4
cc: Harry Mavrogenes, Assistant City Manager
Janet Gavarrete, Assistant City Manager
Mayra Diaz-Buttacavoli, Assistant City Manager
Department Directors
III
INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE, INC.
4 8 EVES DRIVE SUITE 200 MARLTON, NJ 08053 (609) 985-5600 FAX (609) 985-6464
January 1,1998
Mr, Jose Garcia-Pedrosa, City Manager
City of Miami Beach
Dade Co,
1700 Convention Center Dr.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Dear Mr. Garcia-Pedrosa:
We wish to thank you and Philip Azan for the cooperation given to our representative, Ken
DeGuzman, during our recent survey, We have completed our analysis of the building codes
adopted by your community and the efforts put forth to properly enforce those codes, The resulting
Building Code Effectiveness Grading Classification is 2 for 1 and 2 family residential property and 2
for commercial and industrial property,
The Insurance Services Office, Inc, (ISO) is an insurer-supported organization with the primary
mission of providing advisory insurance underwriting and rating information to insurers, There is no
requirement that insurers use our advisory material. Insurers may have adopted, or may be in the
process of adopting, an ISO insurance rating program that will provide rating credits to individual
property insurance policies in recognition of community efforts to mitigate property damage due to
natural disasters, These insurers may use the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Classification we
have recently developed for your community as a basis for the credits used, While individual insurers
may use different credits or different effective dates, the ISO program will apply credits to new
construction within City of Miami Beach, Dade Co, that has been issued a Certificate of Occupancy
in the year 1997 and forward,
We have attached a copy of our report which will provide you additional information about our
classification process and how we have graded various aspects of your community's building codes
and their enforcement. We want to highlight the fact that the Building Code Effectiveness Grading
Schedule is an insurance underwriting and information tool; it is not intended to analyze all aspects of
a comprehensive building code enforcement program, it is not for purposes of determining
compliance with any state or local law nor is it for making property/casualty loss prevention or life
safety recommendations,
If you have any questions about the Classification that was developed, please let us know,
Additionally, if you are planning on any future changes in your building codes or their enforcement,
please advise us as these changes may affect our analysis and your community's grading
classification,
Sincerely,
JlI J{oon
Jeff Howe
Technical Consultant
JH/nm
Enclosure
cc: Philip Azan, Building Official
BUILDING CODE EFFECTIVENESS GRADING SCHEDULE
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule is to review the available public
building code enforcement agencies and to develop a Building Code Effectiveness Classification for
insurance underwriting information and rating purposes.
The Schedule measures the resources and support available for building code enforcement. It also
evaluates how those resources apply to the mitigation of the natural hazards common to the specific
jurisdiction. These measurements are then developed into a Building Code Effectiveness
Classification number on a relative scale from 1 to 10, with 10 representing less than the minimum
recognized protection.
The Schedule is an insurance undenvriting information and rating tool. It is not intended to analyze
all aspects of a comprehensive building code enforcement program. It is not for purposes of
determining compliance with any state or local law or regulation, nor is it for making
property/casualty loss prevention or life safety recommendations. It should not be used for purposes
other than insurance undenvriting information and rating.
The Building Code Effectiveness Classifications developed through the use of this Schedule are only
one of several elements used to develop insurance rates for individual properties. Other features
specifically relating to individual properties such as construction, occupancy, and exposures have
similar importance in the development of these rates.
The Schedule is divided into 3 sections:
Administration of Codes:
This section evaluates the administrative support available in the jurisdiction for code enforcement.
It looks for adopted building codes and modifications of those codes through ordinance, code
enforcers qualifications, experience and education, zoning provisions, contractor/builder licensing
requirements, public awareness programs, the building department's participation in code
development activities and the administrative policies and procedures.
Plan Review:
This section assesses the plan review function to determine the staffing levels, personnel experience,
performance evaluation schedules, review capabilities, and level of review of construction documents
for compliance with the adopted building code for the jurisdiction being graded.
Field Inspection:
This section evaluates the field inspection function to dctermine thc staffing levels, personnel
experience, performance evaluation schedules, review capabilities, and lcvel of review of building
construction for compliance with the adopted building code for the jurisdiction being gradcd.
Thc attached "Classification Details" identify the subject matter, maximum points achievable and
the points obtained in the review of your community. This information is provided to you without
recommendation and is for your use in understanding the details of the measurcment of your
building code enforcement activities in relationship to the Building Code Effectiveness Grading
Schedule.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA
SECTION I
ADMINISTRATION OF CODES
r---------------------------.------------------------------------------------------------
100. GENERAL
--------1
This section evaluates the administrative support for code enforcement within the jurisdiction -- the
adopted building codes and the modifications of those codes through ordinance, code enforcers
qualifications, experience and education, zoning provisions, contractorlbuilder licensing requirements,
public awareness programs, the building department's participation in code development activities, and
the administrative policies and procedures,
105. ADOPTED CODES
Maximum Points Possible 10.00 points
Points Scored 10.00 point(s)
The latest edition of the model codes should be adopted and enforced by the jurisdiction, Use of codes
other than the model codes, the National Electric Code, or the CABO 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Code may
prorate the points available in Item 105,
If the latest edition of the listed codes were adopted within 1 1/2 years of the published date, and the
published date of the listed codes is within 3 years of the date of the grading:
Pts Pass
Scored
Building Code"""""""""""""",.,.""""""""""",
Electrical Code"""""""""""""""""""""""""",
Mechanical/Gas Code ,.."""",."""""",.'",........,
Plumbing Code...............".,....."""".......",..,....
1 & 2 Family Dwelling Code ,.............................
7,75 points
0,75 point
0,75 point
0,75 point
4,09 points.
7,75 points
0,75 point
0,75 point
0,75 point
points
If the above does not apply, or the previous edition of the listed codes is adopted, and the published date of
the listed codes is within 5 years of the date of the grading:
Pts Pass
Scored
Building Code..,...."""", ....." .....,.. ,......""",..,..""" 4,65 points
Electrical Code ........,..........,..............,..,................ 0,45 point
Mechanical/Gas Code ........................................ 0.45 point
Plumbing Code ",.""""""""".."""""""".."",.. 0.45 point
1 & 2 Family Dwelling Code ....,........................, 2.40 points.
points
point
point
point
points
If the next previous edition of the listed codes is adopted, and the published date of the listed codes is
within 10 years of the date of the grading:
pts Pass
Scored
Building Code""""".,.""""""""""""",..."""""",
Electrical Code"""""""""""""""""",.""""""""
Mechanical/Gas Code ".".""",.",."""".'.'".".,...
Plumbing Code ........................,..................,......,..
1 & 2 Family Dwelling Code ..,.............................'
3.40 points
0,30 point
0,30 point
0,30 point
1.60 points*
If an earlier edition of the listed codes is adopted:
pts Pass
points
point
point
point
points
Scored
Building Code ..............,..........,.............................. 1,70 points
Electrical Code ..................,....,....,......,.................. 0,15 point
Mechanical/Gas Code ......,..............,.................. 0,15 point
Plumbing Code ................................................, 0,15 point
1 & 2 Family Dwelling Code ....,....,..................., 0,80 point*
*If a building code is adopted and enforced, this value will equal 0,00 points,
110. MODIFICATION TO ADOPTED CODES
points
point
point
point
point
Maximum Points Possible 5,00 points**
Points Scored 5.00 points
There should be no modifications to the structural design provisions of the adopted codes and referenced
standards that would weaken the intent for construction mitigation of natural hazards as defined in the
model codes and referenced standards, No proration is permitted in this item,
** Maximum allowable points = (points credited in item 105) x 0,1 x 5,0
115. TRAINING
Maximum Points Possible 13.00 points
Points Scored 13,00 point(s)
Pts Pass
3,00 points
Amount of expenditures for training equaling at least 2% of the annual operating budget for all building
department related activities,
Scored
3,00 point(s)
Each code enforcement person receiving the following amount of training per year:
Administration
Legal
Mentoring
Technical
Pts Pass
1,25 points
1,25 points
1,25 points
4,25 points
12hou~","""""""""""""""
12 hours ................,................
12 hours ,....,.....................,....,
60 hours ..,............,......,....,..,..
2
Scored
1,25 point(s)
1,25 point(s)
1,25 point(s)
4,25 point(s)
Incentives provided by the jurisdiction for continuing education, outside training, certification and
certification maintenance,
Community paid certification exam fees
Community incentive - outside training/certification
Community paid continuing education
pts Pass
0,50 point
0,50 point
0,50 point
Scored
0,50 point
0,50 point
0,50 point
Education of elected officials or governing authorities in building codes and building code enforcement a
minimum of 3 hours per official per year.
Pts Pass
0,50 point
120. CERTIFICATION
Scored
0,50 point
Maximum Points Possible 12.00 points
Points Scored 10,91. point(s)
The credit for certification is as follows:
Certification of code enforcement personnel (applicable to the position requirements) through a
comprehensive examination representative of the performance area for which certification is sought.
pts Pass
8,00 points
State or local jurisdiction mandated program for certification,
Pts Pass
1.00 point
Scored
6.91 point(s)
Scored
1,00 point
State or local jurisdiction mandated program of certification maintenance through continuing education at
least once every 3 years,
Pts Pass
2.00 points
Scored
2,00 point
Program of employee certification in the field they are employed (prior to employment or within one year
of date of hire or advancement),
pts Pass
1,00 point
3
Scored
1,00 point
125. BUILDING OFFICIAL'S QUALIFICATION I EXPERIENCE I EDUCATION
Maximum Points Possible 4,00 points
Points Scored 3.00 point(s)
The following is reviewed:
Licensed Architect or Engineer
Certification as a building official
Pts Pass Scored
0,60 point 0,00 point
Pts Pass Scored
0,60 point 0,60 point
pts Pass Scored
0,10 point 0,10 point
Pts Pass Scored
0,50 point 0,50 point
High School diploma
College degree
Masters degree
Pts Pass Scored
0.40 point 0,00 point
Construction related experience
pts Pass Scored
less than 2 years 0,10 point point
or two to five years 0,20 point point
or more than five years 0,60 point 0.60 point
Code enforcement experience
Pts Pass Scored
less than 2 years 0,10 point point
or two to five years 0.20 point point
or more than five years 0,60 point 0.60 point
Building official experience
Pts Pass Scored
less than 2 years 0,10 point point
or two to five years 0,20 point point
or more than five years 0,60 point 0,60 point
4
130. SELECTION PROCEDURES FOR BUILDING OFFICIAL
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
0,50 points
0,50 points
The selection process for a building official is designed to select the most qualified candidate,
Selection through examination,
Selection through peer review,
pts Pass
0,25 point
0,25 point
Scored
0,25 point
0,25 point
135. DESIGN PROFESSIONALS
Maximum Points Possible 4,00 points
Points Scored 1.49 point(s)
The credit for design professionals is as follows:
If supervisory plan review staff are graduate or registered architects or engineers,
Pts Pass
2,00 points
Scored
1,02 point(s)
If non-supervisory plan review staff are graduate or registered architects or engineers
Pts Pass
1,50 points
Scored
0,25 point(s)
If supervisory field inspection staff are graduate or registered architects or engineers,
pts Pass
0,50 point
Scored
0,22 point
140. ZONING PROVISIONS
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
1,00 point
1,00 point
Where possible, special (through ordinance or code amendment) zoning provisions that address mitigation
measures for buildings subject to local natural hazards,
5
145. CONTRACTORlBUILDER LICENSING AND BONDING
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
1.00 point
1,00 point
Contractors/builders licensed and bonded to work in the jurisdiction being graded, The licensure
dependence upon examination and experience,
Licensing requirement for contractors and builders
Licensing by examination
pts Pass Scored
0,10 point 0,10 point
pts Pass Scored
0,50 point 0,50 point
Pts Poss Scored
0,30 point 0,30 point
Pts Pass Scored
0,10 point 0,10 point
Licensing by experience
Bonding requirements for contractors
150. DESIGNER LICENSING VIOLATION REPORTING
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
0,50 point
0.50 point
Reporting of licensing violations in contract documents to the appropriate state professional licensing
board,
155. PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMS
Maximum PointsPossible
. . Points Scored
2,00 points
2.00 point(s)
The amount of expenditures for public awareness programs equaling a minimum of 0,5% of the annual
operating budget for all building department related activities,
Pts Pass
1,00 point
Scored
1.00 point
The amount of hours spent by code enforcers on public awareness programs, equaling a minimum of 3
hours per code enforcement employee per year,
pts Pass
1,00 point
Scored
1,00 point
6
160. PARTICIPATION IN CODE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
0.50 point
0,50 point
The building department involvement in code development activities and associations with groups or
organizations that assemble building enforcement personnel for the purpose of education and
advancement of effective building codes,
Participation in code change activities
Pts Pass
0,25 point
Participates in code association/chapter meetings
pts Pass
0,25 point
Scored
0,25 point
Scored
0,25 point
165. ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Maximum Points Possible 0.50 point
Points Scored . 0.50 point
The credit for "Policies and Procedures" is as follows:
A formal appeal process that a contractor/builder or architect/design professional can utilize as recourse to
a building official's interpretation of the adopted building codelzoning regulations,
pts Pass
0.30 point
A policies and procedures guide for employees,
pts Pass
0,10 point
Scored
0,30 point
Scored
0,10 point
The policies and procedures guide covers technical code requirements (such as approved products listings)
that would assist a designer or builder,
pts Pass
0,05 point
Publicizing the policies and procedures guide as available to the public,
Pts Pass
0.05 point
7
Scored
0,05 point
Scored
0,05 point
SECTION II
PLAN REVIEW
1200. GENERAL
This section evaluates the plan review function to determine the following:
Staffing levels
Personnel experience
Performance evaluation schedules
Review capabilities, and level of review of construction documents for compliance with the adopted
building code for the jurisdiction being graded
205. ...EXISTING STAFFING
Maximum Points Possible' '9.00 points**
Points Scored 3,26 point(s)
Staffing levels sufficient to assure comprehensive reviews of construction documents for compliance with
the adopted building codes,
** Maximum allowable points = points achieved in item 215 x item 205
points possible in item 215
lI0.EXPERlENCE OF PERSONNEL
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
1_50 points
1_50 point(s)
5 years or greater experience in plan review of plan review staff.
215. DETAIL OF PLAN REVIEW
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
11,50 points
11.25 point(s)
The credit for the comprehensiveness of plan review is as follows:
Plan reviews conducted on all proposed 1&2 family dwelling construction or dwelling
addi tio ns/ modifications,
Note: When plan reviews are not being conducted, the community classification will be a Class 10 for
1 and 2 family dwellings and the "Pts Scored" will default to the maximum possible in order to determine
the community classification for commercial/industrial property
pts Pass
5,00 points
Scored
5,00 point(s)
8
Comprehensive review of plans performed even if they were prepared and sealed by a registered design
professional certified in the appropriate field of work.
Pts Pass
1.50 points
Scored
1,50 point(s)
Structural plan reviews conducted for all proposed building construction or building
additions/modifications including a review of engineering calculations,
Pts Pass
2.00 points
Scored
2.00 point(s)
A means to evaluate, or reference evaluation service reports, for substitute products and/or materials for
conformance with the intent of the structural portions of the adopted building codes,
pts Pass
1,00 point
Scored
1,00 point
A detailed checklist used with each plan review to assure all pertinent building code issues have been
considered
Pts Pass
1,50 points
The checklist becomes a part of the permanent record of the project address,
Pts Pass
0,50 point
Scored
1,50 point(s)
Scored
0,25 point
220. PERFORMANCE EV ALUA nONS FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
1.00 point
1_00 point
Credit for quality assurance programs for plan reviewers is as follows:
Annual employee performance evaluations,
pts Pass
0,50 point
"Follow-up" plan reviews by a different plan reviewer conducted semiannually,
pts Pass
0,50 point
9
Scored
0,50 point
Scored
0,50 point
SECTION III
FIELD INSPECTION
/300. GENERAL
This section evaluates the field inspection function to determine the following:
Staffing levels
Personnel experience
Performance evaluation schedules
Review capabilities and level of review of building construction
305. EXISTING STAFFING
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
g,OOpoints
g,OO point(s)
Staffing levels sufficient to assure comprehensive reviews of building construction for compliance with the
adopted building codes,
310. . EXPERIENCE OF PERSONNEL
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
3,00 points
2,85 point(s)
5 years or greater experience in field inspection,
Pts Pass
1,50 points
Scored
1,35 point(s)
2 years or greater of construction related experience,
pts Pass
1,50 points
Scored
1,50 point(s)
315. CORRECTION NOTICES AND STOP WORK ORDERS
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
0,50 point
0,50 point
Building department authority to issue correction notices and stop work orders for non-compliant
construction,
10
320. INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
2,00 points
1,75 point(s)
A detailed checklist completed for each building construction project to assure that all pertinent building
code issues have been considered,
Pts Pass
1.50 points
The checklist becomes a part of the permanent record of the project address,
Pts Pass
0,50 point
Scored
1,50 point(s)
Scored
0,25 point
325. ...SPECIALINSPECTIONS
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
1,50 points
1,50 point(s)
Where necessary to assure structural integrity, the building department requirement for special inspections
for specific structural elements conducted by professional inspectors who have been certified for such
work.
Pts Pass
0,75 point
The certification being obtained by a combination of:
Examination
pts Pass
0,25 point
Experience in the field of inspection they will be performing
Pts Pass
O,~5 point
An interview by the building official to assess qualifications
Pts Pass
0,25 point
Scored
0.75 point
Scored
0,25 point
Scored
0,25 point
Scored
0,25 point
330. INSPECTIONS FOR NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
1,50 points
1,50 point(s)
When there are construction mitigation measures defined in the adopted building code for the natural
hazard(s) peculiar to the area being graded, special inspections that focus on compliance with the
provisions of the code,
11
335. FINAL INSPECTIONS
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
2,50 points
2,50 point(s)
Final inspections performed on all buildings after the construction is completed and the building is ready
for occupancy,
Final inspections performed for I & 2 family dwellings,
pts Pass
1,25 points
Final inspections performed for all other buildings,
Pts Pass
1,25 points
340. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
Scored
1,25 point(s)
Scored
1,25 point(s)
Maximum Points Possible 2,00 points
Points Scored 2.00 point(s)
Certificates of occupancy issued by the building department after the construction is completed and prior
to the building being occupied,
Certificates of occupancy issued for I & 2 family dwellings,
Pts Pass
1.20 points
Certificates of occupancy issued for all other buildings,
Pts Pass
0,80 point
Scored
1,20 point(s)
Scored
0,80 point
345. PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE
Maximum Points Possible
Points Scored
1,00 point
1,00 point
Credit for quality assurance programs for field inspectors is as follows:
Annual employee performance evaluations,
Pts Pass
0,50 point
Scored
0.50 point
"Follow-up" field inspections by a different field inspector conducted semiannually,
Pts Pass
0,50 point
12
Scored
0,50 point
Jurisdiction: CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Total points: 89,01
State:
FLORIDA
Classification:
1 & 2 Family Dwellings 2
All Other Construction -2
Effective date of classification: FEBRUARY1, 1998
FINAL SCORING
Section 1 49.40
Section 2 17,01
Section 3 22,60
---------
Subtotal 89,01
Item 1 05 10,00
The final score is determined by a relationship between Item 105 and the
balance of the scoring,
IPoints achieved in Item 105 J
[{(Section I + Section II + Section III) - Item 105} x I Points possible in Item 105] + Item 105
[{( 49.40 + 17,01 + 22,60) - 10,OO} x 1.00] + 10,00
[( 79,01 ) x 1.00] + 10,00
[ 79,01 ] + 10,00 = 89,01
Classification Point Spreads Classification Point Spreads
1 93,00 - 100,00 6 51.00 - 60,99
2 85,00 - 92,99 7 39,00 - 50,99
3 77,00 - 84,99 8 25,00 - 38,99
4 69,00 - 76,99 9 10,00 - 24,99
5 61.00 - 68,99 10 0,00 - 9,99
13