Cape Council discusses window protection ahead of hurricane season
With another hurricane season approaching, Cape Coral City Council again discussed window protection Wednesday.
Concerns about plywood being left on windows, even when a storm is not pressing, and what measures can be taken, if any, to eliminate this method from being used when the city is not in the hurricane cone highlighted the discussion.
Councilmember Rachel Kaduk brought the discussion about hurricane shutters forward , saying she has received numerous emails from citizens regarding plywood left on home windows, not storm shutters.
Fire Chief Mike Russell shared a presentation that highlighted the risks to residents and firefighters with having hurricane protection devices up.
He said life safety is their primary concern.
“Approved hurricane protection devices are encouraged during these tropical events. They will protect homes from high winds, but do pose risk to residents and firefighters when left up longer than necessary,” Russell said.
He said proper hurricane protection is approved and recommended to protect property from high winds, flying debris, and glass being broken.
Russell said an egress from a home is for residents to self-rescue, which is the fastest and most effective way, while ingress is for the fire department to get the resident. With a hurricane shutter up, it inhabits the ability to self-rescue, as well as delays the ability for the fire department to rescue.
“Searching for a resident who is trapped in the home, we ourselves become trapped,” Russell said.
The removal of the devices by the fire department was also discussed. He said it is time consuming to remove the devices by drill and if the storm shutters are damaged it could warp the screws.
“If we had to defeat that hurricane protection device it would take a lot longer,” Russell said.
Mayor John Gunter said when looking into the Florida Building Code it states that storm shutters can be placed on a home on a temporary basis, but did not define the meaning of temporary.
Most council members cautioned on the side of homeowner rights and said they can make the determination of leaving their manufactured storm shutters up, realizing the risk they are taking. Other conversations stemmed around occupied, versus unoccupied homes.
“We treat every structure as occupied. If we think it is occupied, or not, we are coming in there to fight the fire as well,” Russell said.
Building Official Shane Kittendorf said once the certification of occupancy has been issued for a residence, they cannot question if someone is vacationing. He said shutters are put up in the event a storm is nearing, or approaching, and upon the immediate threat of passing they are immediately taken down.
Council shared views on moving forward with changes, or keeping the status quo. The discussion of using plywood was also addressed.
“We cannot supersede the code,” Kittendorf said, adding Council cannot vote to provide leniency on protection of life and property.
The discussion will come back to the board at a future meeting.
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