Building Division Activity
The City of Boynton Beach Building Division will suspend all inspections when a "hurricane watch" is issued by the local authorities. Recall that a hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions can be expected in the next 48 hours.
At that this time Building Division Inspection personnel will be visiting construction sites within the City to ensure that the sites are being secured.
Contractor Responsibilities
While contractors generally don't want to stop or delay construction activities, the 48 to 24 hour window before landfall is the suggested time to stop all construction activity. At this time all contractors and owner builders shall be required to do the following:
1. Secure all job sites, giving priority attention to those located in the most populated areas. When a hurricane warning is issued, remove all dumpsters and scaffolding, and remove, or safely secure, all building materials, and equipment. Alert subs of their responsibilities to secure or remove their materials and equipment.
2. Stop job processes that will likely become damaged by the hurricane, such as window installations, housewrap, or landscaping. Complete those construction tasks that will likely prevent damage, such as concrete work, closing in a house, or filling in foundation excavations. Clean up all construction debris.
3. Tie or band together all loose plywood and lumber. Secure other loose building supplies.
4. Remove permit board and all job site signage.
5. Locate and turn off electricity, water and gas.
6. Finally, follow through with a quick inspection of your job sites. Do not wait until the last minute to inspect your job sites, as you may need that time to evacuate.
After the site is secure, advise subcontractors to leave and not return until the hurricane threat has passed. Make sure to have contact numbers for all subcontractors stored in a secure and dry place, and that they know who will contact them after the hurricane passes.
During the last 24 hours before the hurricane makes landfall, go home and take care of your family and personal property.
Business Owner and Owner Responsibilities
As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan for your business and your family, but did you overlook your construction project? Don't worry, you're not alone. Most people don't even think about preparing their construction site because it's not written into their "construction timeline." But when a hurricane threatens, general contractors usually get panicked phone calls asking about potential damage, delays and cost. You can save time and frustration by contacting your general contractor to discuss their plan before a hurricane strikes. You've invested a lot of resources into your construction project, so insist that your contractor safeguard it the same way that you safeguard your home.
Building Division Activity
Immediately following the storm event, Building Division Inspection personnel will be involved in preliminary damage assessments for the City of Boynton Beach. There will be no scheduled construction inspections until this preliminary assessment has been completed (usually 72 hours).
Contractor Responsibilities
Once the hurricane is over:
1. Return to job sites for damage inspection only when it is safe to do so. Keep in mind that damages from the hurricane such as fallen trees, damaged utility poles and lines, and flooding may impede efforts for immediate repairs, and some areas may have been hit worse than others.
2. Make sure that your employees keep a safe distance from fallen power lines and electric utility restoration work crews.
3. If the job site has been flooded or saturated with water, be careful in and around any open trenches or excavations.
4. Report any damage that affects the progress of your project to the Building Division.
Owner Responsibilities
1. Ensure the safety of your family and relatives.
2. Report any damage and the need for medical assistance to the appropriate authorities.
3. Cooperate with emergency authorities and obey all curfews.
