Western Ohio Home Builders Association

Blower Door & Duct Blaster Testing Mandatory

Beginning January 1, 2021, within the jurisdictions of the Miami County Department of Development, blower door and duct blaster testing will be mandatory.  There is no longer an option for a visual test.

The process will be as follows:

• Plans submitted with a statement that the plans comply with section 1105.3 of the 2019 Residential Code of Ohio (RCO)
• An inspection checklist will be submitted documenting the proposed design characteristics as indicated in table 1105.5.2(1) of the RCO
• An approved Res-check or other compliant software will be submitted showing compliance.
• Before final inspection can be performed, a certificate stating the blower door and duct blaster tests have passed and who performed them
• At the final inspection a permanent certificate must be posted on the electrical panel and state the following information:
  • R-values in walls
  • ceilings/roof
  • foundation (slab/basement wall, crawlspace wall and/or floor and ducts outside conditioned spaces).

Click Here Examples & Compliance Checklist

Specific information can be found in chapter 11 of the 2019 Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) as well as the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Contact Rob England, Miami County Chief Building Official with any additional questions at 937-440-8121.

Stand Down for Safety on April 16, 2020

With the efforts of the National Association of Home Builders and the Ohio Home Builders Association and all they’ve done to keep housing an “essential business” comes the responsibility to take safety seriously. So with that in mind, on Thursday, April 16, we are urging members, and all residential construction companies to halt work for at least 10 minutes for a COVID-19 Job Site Safety Stand Down to educate workers on what they should do to keep themselves safe from coronavirus and to help “flatten the curve” for everyone.

As part of the safety stand down, members are being asked to pause all work for at least 10 minutes to relay coronavirus safety precautions, such as maintaining a distance of no less than six feet with others at all times, cleaning and sanitizing frequently used tools, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis and ensuring the proper sanitation of common surfaces and equipment. The safety information can also be distributed digitally (through email and/or text).

NAHB and other construction industry partners have also developed a comprehensive Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction that outlines the steps every employer and employee should take to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. It describes how to prevent worker exposure to coronavirus, protective measures to be taken on the job site, personal protective equipment and work practice controls to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures and what to do if a worker becomes sick.

NAHB and industry partners also have created a quick-reference job site checklist for employers and employees and a job site safety poster — available in English and Spanish — that can be distributed throughout the workplace. Access those materials here.

If you have any questions or you cannot access the materials, call the HBA office at 937-339-796 or email Donna at the office at

Paycheck Protection Program

The Small Business Administration has released some basic guidelines for the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses to help keep their employees employed. The PPP is  being administered by the SBA and is a loan that you may not need to pay back if you use the proceeds to cover payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent and utility costs over the 8 weeks period after the loan is made.  There are many requirements yet to be determined, so please read  PPP Information and seek the advice of a professional.  Talk to your local lender or visit www.sba.gov for a list of SBA lenders.  The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.

If you want to apply for funding you can download an application here.

Paycheck Protection Application

ENFORCEMENT COMING NOW!!

During today’s COVID-19 press conference, Governor DeWine and Lt. Gov. Husted made it very clear, ENFORCEMENT of Stay at Home Order is coming and should be expected.  Below is a list of bullet points to prepare as best you can.

• READ the Order and use your best judgment under the plain reading of the Order. Ohio Stay At Home Order_3_22_2020, OHBA Stay At Home Recap
• DOCUMENT.  Create a document or have documentation ready on how you deem your work as an essential business and be able to justify operations. See list of exempt trades attached.
• SAFETY PROTOCOLS.  Have supplies, soap, masks, sanitizer, etc., to show compliance with Section 18 of Stay At Home Order.  MUST have safety procedures in place to be able to stay open as an essential business. Job Safety Protocols.
• Be prepared to stay at home and be told to stop operations if you cannot comply.

DeWine emphasized determinations will be very fact based, must look at facts, not just specific categories.  Read the order, assume business is closed, then look at exemptions and safety requirements required to be satisfied.  The Dept. of Health is in charge of enforcement, not their job to interpret the Order

Directors Stay at Home Order

Miami County Building Regulation Announces COVID-19 Policy

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT COVID-19 POLICY, EFFECTIVE: March 20 2020.  The Miami County Department of Development has issued a new procedures with regard to handling permits during this time.  Below is a link with all the information you may need.  If you have any questions, we are here to help as best we can.  Please feel free to call.

Download Policy Guidelines

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