DAVENPORT, Iowa — More than a year after the tragic building collapse at 324 Main St., the City of Davenport is reviewing its current building codes and regulations.
Three people died and one woman lost her leg as a result of the collapse on May 28, 2023, along with dozens being displaced and losing their possessions. Just days before, on May 23, an engineer’s report showed that the west wall appeared "ready to fall imminently.” However, that wasn’t the only warning sign. Issues at the former Hotel Davenport were noted in the years, months and days before the tragedy, according to a class action lawsuit and inspection reports from the City.
The same organizations hired by the City to investigate the collapse — White Birch Group LLC and SOCOTEC Engineering —presented their proposed building code changes to Davenport's City Council on Tuesday night. In addition to changes in codes and regulations, they've also proposed updates to penalties should the requirements be unmet.
Currently, all residential buildings follow a points-based system when it comes to inspections — where categories such as foundation, cosmetic, fire safety and general maintenance can be scored “severe,” “moderate,” “minor” or “none.”
One change proposed would add a distinct set of separate inspections for buildings over three stories, or over 40 feet, that are 40 years or older. That would include looking at load-bearing walls, foundations, beams, columns and fire escapes, which would be inspected on a 10-year cycle by an Iowa-licensed design professional and that report submitted to the AHJ.
The AHJ stands for Authority Having Jurisdiction, an organization, agency, or individual that enforces codes, standards and regulations related to building construction, fire prevention and life safety.
Additionally, for the façade of a building, the firms proposed a four-year cycle of inspections for buildings made of masonry or concrete as well as anything over five stories or 80 feet tall. This would include but is not limited to windows, glass and drainage features.
If a building appears to be in an unsafe condition, the proposed changes would require a code official or designee to deem it unsafe, relay that to the public or occupants and then order the building to be vacated and/or demolished. This recommendation clarifies who is responsible for determining if a structure is dangerous to occupy and whether it be vacated/demolished.
One of the proposals would also require that building inspections reoccur on a case-by-case basis until a safe-to-occupy condition has been met — as determined by the code official or designee.
There are also recommended changes to the requirements for building officials, to assure that they have an adequate amount of time in the field before they are tasked with determining the structural integrity of a building and whether or not it is safe to live in. One of the suggestions made during Tuesday's meeting is that these individuals have at least five and up to 10 years of responsible experience in their respective roles.
As of now, the City is finalizing the proposed updates to building code and fire codes. They will then conduct a legal review, and make a recommendation to the council in early September. The proposed changes will go through three cycles, ending with a decision in late October.
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