Interlayer companies get involved with state governments to improve building codes

Industry representatives from two major laminated glass interlayer suppliers have worked closely with government and building code officials from coastal states to enact stronger hurricane building codes.

Officials from DuPont Building Innovations of Wilmington, Del., reached out to legislators, building code officials and business associations in Florida to help pass legislation that requires the same building protection in all areas of the Florida coastline, according to a Feb. 6 DuPont release.

The legislation increases windborne-debris requirements in the Florida panhandle to equal those of the rest of the state. Read a detailed story about the legislation from the Jan. 30 edition of e-glass weekly.

DuPont officials also assisted legislative efforts to increase building codes, improve code education and make code compliance easier and more affordable in Louisiana and Mississippi, according to the release.

Representatives from Saflex, the polyvinyl butyral business segment of Solutia Inc. in St. Louis, Mo., worked with Mississippi officials to develop a statewide commercial building code, and to encourage further adoption of the state’s residential codes, according to a Feb. 13 Saflex release. The Mississippi Senate passed the bill Feb. 12.

“Last year, Mississippi passed legislation to enact emergency building code provisions for all coastal counties in the wind-borne debris region except George County,” said Nanette Lockwood, director of legislative affairs for Saflex, in the release. “More comprehensive legislation must be passed to ensure a stable construction environment where code enforcement is absolute, and requirements evolve with the changing codes and technologies.”

Saflex also has been involved in past legislative efforts in Florida and Louisiana. Company officials are working in Alabama to improve codes there as well, according to the release.