OPINION: Surfside tragedy has led to real action

It has now been more than one year since the fateful day when the Champlain Towers South condominium collapsed in Surfside and claimed 98 lives. It was one of the deadliest building failures in U.S. history. While nothing can bring back the victims to their families, as a society we can move forward and use the tragedy as a learning experience to make sure it never happens again.

Since the Champlain Towers South tragedy took place, the construction industry has been involved in identifying the flaws that led to such a catastrophic event. Early findings showed that a lack of proper maintenance was the largest contributing factor. The fact is that no matter how well designed, engineered and constructed a building is, maintenance is arguably the most important element for its long-term viability.

In the wake of the Surfside tragedy, it also became apparent that Florida needed stricter laws regarding the maintenance of condominiums. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature concurred and called a special session that resulted in the passage of Senate Bill 4-D. It calls for stricter requirements for the inspection and maintenance of condominiums and other multi-story buildings throughout the state.

This law requires inspections of high-rise buildings, three stories or higher located within three miles of the coast at 25 years of age – and for those more than three miles inland at 30 years of age. The new law also requires inspections to take place every 10 years, and for inspection records to be made available to buyers, renters and individual unit owners.

For buildings occupied before July 1, 1992, the first inspection must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024. And what's equally important is that after Dec. 31, 2024, condo associations will be prohibited from waiving the collection of reserve funds to pay for routine or additional maintenance and repairs.

I would like to praise the Florida Legislature for coming together to pass these important reforms. The construction industry looks forward to working hand-in-hand with building owners, management and condominium associations during the recertification process to ensure the utmost safety and structural integrity of these structures.

The bottom line is that we never want to see another Champlain Towers South tragedy. And I believe that with the measures being taken, we are doing our part to help prevent future disasters.

Peter Dyga is CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors' Florida East Coast Chapter.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida is taking steps to prevent future tragedies like Surfside