Due to the recent building collapse in Surfside, Florida and the increased awareness of building maintenance, the following letter has been mailed to all Palm Beach Condominium Associations encouraging them to complete a structural and electrical evaluation. Please see the contents of the letter below.
Dear Building Owner,
The recent building collapse in Surfside, Florida last week has heightened awareness of the need to proactively inspect building structures in the coastal areas of Florida, including Palm Beach. The constant exposure to salt air, high winds and storms combine to put a large strain on the concrete used in building construction. Now is the perfect time for you to engage credible, qualified engineers or architects to perform a thorough safety inspection of your building.
Miami-Dade County has had a mandatory Building Safety Inspection Program since the mid I970' s. Broward County began a similar Building Safety Inspection Program in 2006.These county-wide programs call for structural and electrical inspections for buildings 40 years old, or older, and every 10 years thereafter. Neither Palm Beach County nor the Town of Palm Beach have established similar mandatory building recertification programs, although after the Surfside disaster, this may change.
The Town's Building Division, and Fire / Rescue, Police and Public Works Departments all encourage you, as building owners, to undertake both a structural and electrical evaluation of your building's current conditions, and to undertake the corrections of any deficiencies that pose an immediate threat to life safety. We remind you that Florida Statutes stipulate that condominium associations are responsible for maintenance of the common elements of the condominium property and that associations may be found liable for nonexercise of its powers.
Florida Statute 718:
The association. (3) POWER TO MANAGE CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY AND TO CONTRACT, SUE, AND BE SUED; CONFLICT OF INTEREST - The association may contract, sue, or be sued with respect to the exercise or nonexercise of its powers. For these purposes, the powers of the association include, but are not limited to, the maintenance, management, and operation of the condominium property.
Signed by:
Wayne Bergman, Director of Planning & Zoning
Paul Brazil, Director of Public Works
Nick Caristo, Chief of Police
Darrel Donatto, Chief of Fire Rescue
