Local mitigation strategy (LMS) - Volusia County Government

SECTION 7: CAPABILITY ASSESSMENTThe adoption and enforcement of building codes by local jurisdictions is routinely assessed through theBuilding Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) program developed by the Insurance ServicesOffice, Inc. (ISO). 5 Under the BCEGS program, ISO assesses the building codes and enforcement of thesecodes in a particular community, with special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. Theresults of BCEGS assessments are routinely provided to ISO’s member private insurance companies,which in turn may offer ratings credits for new buildings constructed in communities with strong BCEGSclassifications. The concept behind this is that communities with well-enforced, up-to-date codes shouldhave fewer losses, and insurance rates can reflect that in these communities.In conducting the assessment ISO collects information related to personnel qualifications and continuingeducation, as well as the number of inspections performed per day. This type of information, combinedwith local building codes, is used to determine a grade for that jurisdiction. The grades range from 1 to10, with the lower grade being more ideal. A BCEGS grade of 1 represents exemplary commitment tobuilding code enforcement, and a grade of 10 indicates less than minimum recognized protection. Table7.2 lists the BCEGS ratings for the jurisdictions in the region.TABLE 7.2: BCEGS Ratings in the RegionJURISDICTIONBCEGS RESIDENTIALRATINGBCEGS COMMERCIALRATINGYEAR LAST RATEDDaytona Beach 4 3 2007Daytona Beach ShoresDeBaryDelandDeltonaEdgewaterHolly HillLake Helen 4 4 2000New Smyrna BeachOak HillOrange CityOrmond Beach 3 3 2004PiersonPonce InletPort OrangeSouth DaytonaVolusia CountySource: Jurisdictions5 Participation in BCEGS is voluntary and may be declined by local governments if they do not wish to have their local buildingcodes evaluated.Volusia County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation PlanFebruary 20107:7