ST. CROIX, Virgin Islands – The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources and FEMA are sponsoring a meeting on Wednesday, May 16, to introduce the fourth edition of The Stronger Home Guide. Builders, contractors and other construction professionals, as well as homeowners and the general public are welcome to attend. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands, Administration and Conference Center on St. Thomas. A similar meeting will take place in St. John, and one has already taken place in St. Croix.
This is the first update of the guide since 1996. It incorporates and describes the requirements of the revised USVI Building Code. These changes reflect the latest building science research on improving the resilience of structures. Among other things, the new requirements affect how roofs, walls, and foundations are designed and built.
“With this meeting on St. Thomas we are continuing to inform the public about the significant changes to our building code contained in this stronger home guide,” said DPNR Commissioner Dawn L. Henry Esq. “It is important for people to be aware of these changes as they are now being applied for the authorization of all building permits.”
The code updates will make structures safer and stronger, better able to withstand hurricane force winds and flooding. Incorporation of the latest advancements in building design and technology and application of lessons learned from prior disasters, facilitates building safer, stronger, more resilient communities.
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