Oconee could look at restricting some types of construction

If Oconee County Council acts on the suggestion of a structural engineer, the county could see some limits on the use of some wood frame construction described as cheap and shoddy. Structural engineer Derek Hodgin, a former mayor of Westminster, and county resident John Agar, both recommended limitations on wood frame construction of buildings over three stories. They called attention to examples of the technique as creating major problems and weaknesses in buildings, sometimes even before the buildings are completed. The engineering firm, which deals with providing expert assessments to litigants in civil cases, is now involved in more than 30 cases in the Carolinas stemming from the frame construction creating flimsy and often dangerous structures that suffer chronic defects. Some locales, Hodgin said, had already limited or prohibited the construction method. Agar says he is alarmed by some of the construction Hartwell Village, Hodgin recommends the county require the sturdier Type 1 or Type 2 construction standard and enact a moratorium on further use of the wood framing method. The suggestion met approval from two Council members, District 1 Council member John Elliot and District 2 Council member Wayne McCall. Both Councilmen say past experiences in which the wood frame construction made buildings susceptible to more extensive fire damage in the event of a structure fire.