For several years, frost depth has been a conversation for code officials and legislators. Required foundation depts for frost protections have not changed in decades, while foundation insulation requirements and the average outdoor temperature have increased since the early 1980s.
In 2021, a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) was formed to determine if minimum footing depths required for frost protections should be further reviewed given changes to conditions. Nick Erickson worked with the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead to recommend changes to the frost depth map in the upcoming code cycle.
This fall, the Administrative TAG took up this topic at a meeting, with Mike Swanson of Brandl Anderson serving on this TAG for HFMN. The Chief Building Official walked through an alternative method which saves cost by reducing the excavation depth, the amount of concrete, and the size of foundation forms.
Thank you to HBA Fargo-Moorhead and Mike Swanson for your work on this important issue.
