Miami Construction Excellence- Professional Standards is a one-stop shop to handle virtually all your construction needs. The department encompasses the Building, Engineering and Housing Compliance divisions.
BOMA’s TOBY Awards competition is a rigorous three-level process that begins at the local BOMA Miami-Dade TOBY Choice level and culminates in an international awards program that recognizes commercial buildings for their excellence and raises industry standards worldwide.
Structural
The field of structural engineering plays a pivotal role in the safety and reliability of buildings and infrastructure. Engineers, contractors, and property owners must be well-versed in the Notice of Acceptance (NOA) process, which requires that construction products, systems, and designs undergo rigorous testing and evaluation. This ensures that products and materials are safe for use in Miami-Dade County, where strict building codes require structures to withstand hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions.
Structural building inspectors play a critical role in the NOA process, overseeing the inspection of structural components. Their responsibilities are far-reaching, ranging from evaluating building components to assessing adherence to local building code requirements and standards. These inspectors also need to be able to physically maneuver through complex building terrains and climb ladders for visual inspections in remote locations.
The NOA process can be challenging to navigate, but it’s important for engineers, contractors, and property owners to understand, says Dade Construction general contractors miami. It’s also beneficial for brands and manufacturers that manufacture NOA-compliant building systems. By ensuring that their products are on the list of approved construction components, they can attract new customers and foster a mutually beneficial relationship with architects and engineers. The NOA process isn’t a one-time effort, however, and requires that products be reevaluated and retested as necessary. This ensures that the NOA is valid and upholds the integrity of the building component. The NOA system therefore helps to protect not only the people working on a construction project but also the residents and other occupants of a building.
Electrical
Miami Construction Excellence- Professional Standards provides guidance on the correct use of electrical wiring, equipment and circuits. It emphasizes safety-related work practices including de-energizing electrical power circuits before working on them and utilizing lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures to prevent accidental re-energization of equipment or parts. It also requires the use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection and flame-resistant clothing.
In Florida, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation plays a major role in upholding contractor licensing requirements. Its enforcement of Florida’s laws against unlicensed contracting has the potential to lead to significant penalties for those found guilty.
Building recertification is a process that ensures the structural and electrical safety of buildings in Miami-Dade County. Following new state law that took effect in 2022, this process has become significantly more stringent and requires inspections by licensed design professionals to certify that older structures meet modern safety standards. These updated regulations have significant implications for property owners and design professionals alike, and understanding these new requirements can help ensure compliance.
Mechanical
Miami is home to a number of specialized industries that require detailed mechanical plans. This includes the design and drafting of HVAC, plumbing, and piping systems. These designs must comply with local building codes and standards to ensure safety and integrity. Using professional mechanical takeoff services can help ensure precise calculations and minimize errors. Detailed estimates also provide cost savings and efficient resource allocation, which can lead to project success.
In addition, mechanical construction professionals must be able to comply with recertification requirements in Miami. These requirements have recently become more stringent, and failure to meet them can result in fines. It’s important for construction teams to understand these requirements and proactively engage in the recertification process. This will help them avoid costly penalties and maintain their building’s eligibility for commercial zoning.
Plumbing
Miami Construction Excellence- Professional Standards is a collection of standards that support professionals in planning, design, construction and maintenance of facilities. The material is designed to comply with the current format of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) for use by design and construction professionals.
The Miami-Dade County Plumbing Department requires building owners and design professionals to submit annual recertification reports for plumbing systems on buildings and structures. Failure to submit a valid report may result in significant penalties. Learn more about the recertification process and what steps you can take to ensure compliance with state law.
Inspect plumbing installations above and below ground, including septic tanks and drainage fields. Check that work proceeds according to approved blueprints and investigate complaints of defective plumbing installations. Provide suggestions or recommendations to contractors or owners regarding plumbing standards. Conduct inspections and re-inspections; inspect for fire hazards; consult with responsible parties; and occasionally represent the City in court hearings.
Fire Protection
Fire protection standards are an important component of a comprehensive building code. They ensure that buildings meet the safety requirements established in Florida’s State Fire Marshal Act and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This helps to protect people, property and the environment.
Fire services include plans review and fire/life safety inspections for construction as well as annual Certificate of Occupancy inspections for commercial, residential, and industrial properties. Additionally, the department oversees hydrant testing, water flow, and fire suppression system maintenance.
The department also manages the city’s business licensing and housing compliance programs. Essentially, it’s a one-stop shop for all of your building/development needs in the city of Miami Gardens.
New laws and regulations have significantly updated building recertification processes in Miami-Dade County. By understanding these changes and proactively engaging in the process, property owners and design professionals can help ensure that their buildings are safe for occupancy.
LEED
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that provides a framework for construction professionals to construct cost-effective, energy-efficient buildings while also reducing the nearly 569 million tons of construction and demolition waste generated annually in the United States. It is a widely recognized symbol of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, and individuals with the LEED Green Associate credential are in high demand for their knowledge of sustainable design and construction.
There are several paths to earning LEED accreditation for a project. These include LEED BD+C, designed to cover new construction projects in the core and shell. It includes guidelines for buildings that are being built from the ground up, as well as major renovations of existing structures. LEED ID+C, on the other hand, is meant for teams working to improve sustainable designs of interior spaces that may not affect how a whole building operates.
There are also LEED AP Operations and Maintenance and LEED AP Homes that were created to cover existing structures that need to make improvements for sustainability. The LEED v5 update has increased the flexibility of these programs, with greater emphasis placed on performance-based metrics instead of just the amount of credits achieved. It also reflects the reality that not all projects are created equal and offers more options to achieve LEED accreditation, including for those working on international projects.
