Florida Supplement to the 2015 IBC
Chapters 1-35
ICC EDIT VERSION
Note 1: Throughout the document, change International Building Code to Florida Building Code, Building; Energy Conservation Code to the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation; change the International Existing Building Code to Florida Building Code, Existing Building; change the International Fire code to Florida Fire Prevention Code; change International Fuel Gas Code to Florida Building Code, Fuel Gas; change the International Mechanical Code to Florida Building Code, Mechanical; change the International Plumbing Code to Florida Building Code, Plumbing; change the International Residential Code to Florida Building Code, Residential.
PREFACE
Introduction
Development
History
The State of Florida first mandated statewide building codes during the 1970s at the beginning of the modern construction boom. The first law required all municipalities and counties to adopt and enforce one of the four state-recognized model codes known as the “state minimum building codes.” During the early 1990s a series of natural disasters, together with the increasing complexity of building construction regulation in vastly changed markets, led to a comprehensive review of the state building code system. The study revealed that building code adoption and enforcement was inconsistent throughout the state and those local codes thought to be the strongest proved inadequate when tested by major hurricane events. The consequences of the building codes system failure were devastation to lives and economies and a statewide property insurance crisis. The response was a reform of the state building construction regulatory system that placed emphasis on uniformity and accountability.
The 1998 Florida Legislature amended Chapter 553, Florida Statutes (FS), Building Construction Standards, to create a single state building code that is enforced by local governments. As of March 1, 2002, the Florida Building Code, which is developed and maintained by the Florida Building Commission, supersedes all local building codes. The Florida Building Code is updated every three years and may be amended annually to incorporate interpretations and clarifications.
Scope
The Florida Building Code is based on national model building codes and national consensus standards which are amended where necessary for Florida’s specific needs. However, code requirements that address snow loads and earthquake protection are pervasive; they are left in place but should not be utilized or enforced because Florida has no snow load or earthquake threat. The code incorporates all building construction-related regulations for public and private buildings in the State of Florida other than those specifically exempted by Section 553.73, Florida Statutes. It has been harmonized with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which is developed and maintained by the Department of Financial Services, Office of the State Fire Marshal, to establish unified and consistent standards.
The base codes for the Sixth edition (2017) of the Florida Building Code include: the International Building Code®, 2015 edition; the International Plumbing Code®, 2015 edition; the International Mechanical Code®, 2015 edition; the International Fuel Gas Code®, 2015 edition; the International Residential Code®, 2015 edition; the International Existing Building Code®, 2015 edition; the International Energy Conservation Code, 2015; the National Electrical Code, 2014 edition; substantive criteria from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers’ (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1-2013. State and local codes adopted and incorporated into the code include the Florida Building Code, Accessibility, and special hurricane protection standards for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
The code is composed of nine main volumes: the Florida Building Code, Building, which also includes state regulations for licensed facilities; the Florida Building Code, Plumbing; the Florida Building Code, Mechanical; the Florida Building Code, Fuel Gas; the Florida Building Code, Existing Building; the Florida Building Code, Residential; the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation; the Florida Building Code, Accessibility and the Florida Building Code, Test Protocols for High-Velocity Hurricane Zones. Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building, adopts the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, by reference.
Under certain strictly defined conditions, local governments may amend requirements to be more stringent than the code. All local amendments to the Florida Building Code must be adopted by local ordinance and reported to the Florida Building Commission then posted on www.floridabuilding.org in Legislative format for a month before being enforced. Local amendments to the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code may be obtained from the Florida Building Commission web site, or from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or the Florida Department of Financial Services, Office of the State Fire Marshal, respectively.
Adoption and Maintenance
[Note to editor: Replace ICC “Adoption” and “Maintenance” with the following text:]
The Florida Building Code is adopted and updated with new editions triennially by the Florida Building Commission. It is amended annually to incorporate interpretations, clarifications and to update standards. Minimum requirements for permitting, plans review and inspections are established by the code, and local jurisdictions may adopt additional administrative requirements that are more stringent. Local technical amendments are subject to strict criteria established by Section 553.73, F.S. They are subject to Commission review and adoption into the code or repeal when the code is updated triennially and are subject to appeal to the Commission according to the procedures established by Section 553.73, F.S.
Eleven Technical Advisory Committees (TACs), which are constituted consistent with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Guidelines, review proposed code changes and clarifications of the code and make recommendations to the Commission. These TACs whose membership is constituted consistent with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Guidelines include: Accessibility; Joint Building Fire (a joint committee of the Commission and the State Fire Marshal); Building Structural; Code Administration/ Enforcement; Electrical; Energy; Mechanical; Plumbing and Fuel Gas; Roofing; Swimming Pool; and Special Occupancy (state agency construction and facility licensing regulations).
The Commission may only issue official code clarifications using procedures of Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. To obtain such a clarification, a request for a Declaratory Statement (DEC) must be made to the Florida Building Commission in a manner that establishes a clear set of facts and circumstances and identifies the section of the code in question. Requests are analyzed by staff, reviewed by the appropriate Technical Advisory Committee, and sent to the Florida Building Commission for action. These interpretations establish precedents for situations having similar facts and circumstances and are typically incorporated into the code in the next code amendment cycle. Non-binding opinions are available from the Building Officials Association of Florida’s web site (www.BOAF.net) and a Binding Opinion process is available online at www.floridabuilding.org.
Code Development Committee Responsibilities (Letter Designations in Front of Section Numbers)
[Note to editor: Use paragraphs 1 and 2 specific to this code through the code committee descriptors. Delete the remaining text in this section.]
Marginal Markings
Solid vertical lines in the margins within the body of the code indicate a technical change from the requirements of the 2009 edition. Deletion indicators in the form of an arrow (→) are provided in the margin where an entire section, paragraph, exception or table has been deleted or an item in a list of items or table has been deleted.
A single asterisk [*] placed in the margin indicates that text or a table has been relocated within the code. A double asterisk [**] placed in the margin indicates that the text or table immediately following it has been relocated there from elsewhere in the code. The following table indicates such relocations in the 2015 edition of the International Building Code. [Delete table]
Dotted vertical lines in the margins within the body of the supplement indicate a change from the requirements of the base codes to the 2017 Florida Building Code effective ???.
Sections deleted from the base code are designated “Reserved” in order to maintain the structure of the base code.
Italicized Terms
[No change to I Code text.]
Acknowledgments
The Florida Building Code is produced through the efforts and contributions of building designers, contractors, product manufacturers, regulators and other interested parties who participate in the Florida Building Commission’s consensus processes, Commission staff and the participants in the national model code development processes.
[Note to Editor: Delete the following ICC text in its entirety:]
Effective Use of the …
Legislation
Chapter 1 – Scope and Administration
Section 101 – General. Change Section 101 to read as follows:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Florida Building Code, hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
101.2 Scope. (No Change)
Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (town houses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with the International Residential Code Florida Building Code, Residential.
101.2.1 Appendices. (No Change)
101.3 Intent. (No Change)
101.4 Referenced codes. The other codes listed in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.6 9 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
101.4.1-101.4.3 (No Change)
101.4.4 Property maintenance. The provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code shall apply to existing structures and premises; equipment and facilities; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and structures. Reserved.
101.4.5 Fire prevention. The provisions of the International Fire Code For provisions related to fire prevention, refer to the Florida Fire Prevention Code. The Florida Fire Prevention Code shall apply to matters affecting or relating to structures, processes and premises from the hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; from conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; and from the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression, automatic sprinkler systems and alarm systems or fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation.
101.4.6 (No Change)
101.4.8 Accessibility. For provisions related to accessibility, refer to the Florida Building Code, Accessibility.
101.4.9 Manufactured buildings. For additional administrative and special code requirements, see section 458, Florida Building Code, Building, and Rule 61-41 F.A.C.
Section 102 – Applicability. Add Section 102.1.1 to read as follows:
102.1.1 The Florida Building Code does not apply to, and no code enforcement action shall be brought with respect to, zoning requirements, land use requirements and owner specifications or programmatic requirements which do not pertain to and govern the design, construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair or demolition of public or private buildings, structures or facilities or to programmatic requirements that do not pertain to enforcement of the Florida Building Code. Additionally, a local code enforcement agency may not administer or enforce the Florida Building Code, Building to prevent the siting of any publicly owned facility, including, but not limited to, correctional facilities, juvenile justice facilities, or state universities, community colleges, or public education facilities, as provided by law.
Change Section 102.1 to read as shown:
102.2 Other Laws. Building. The provisions of this code shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of local, state or federal law. The provisions of the Florida Building Code shall apply to the construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every public and private building, structure or facility or floating residential structure, or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings, structures or facilities. Additions, alterations, repairs and changes of use or occupancy group in all buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions provided in Chapter 34 of this code. The following buildings, structures and facilities are exempt from the Florida Building Code as provided by law, and any further exemptions shall be as determined by the legislature and provided by law:
(a) Building and structures specifically regulated and preempted by the federal government.
(b) Railroads and ancillary facilities associated with the railroad.
(c) Nonresidential farm buildings on farms.
(d) Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for construction purposes.
(e) Mobile or modular structures used as temporary offices, except that the provisions of Part II (Section 553.501-553.513, Florida Statutes) relating to accessibility by persons with disabilities shall apply to such mobile or modular structures.
(f) Those structures or facilities of electric utilities, as defined in Section 366.02, Florida Statutes, which are directly involved in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.
(g) Temporary sets, assemblies, or structures used in commercial motion picture or television production, or any sound-recording equipment used in such production, on or off the premises.
(h) Chickees constructed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida or the Seminole Tribe of Florida. As used in this paragraph, the term “chickee” means an open-sided wooden hut that has a thatched roof of palm or palmetto or other traditional materials, and that does not incorporate any electrical, plumbing, or other nonwood features.
(i) Family mausoleums not exceeding 250 square feet in area which are prefabricated and assembled on site or preassembled and delivered on site and have walls, roofs, and a floor constructed of granite, marble, or reinforced concrete.
(j) Temporary housing provided by the Department of Corrections to any prisoner in the state correctional system.
(k) A building or structure having less than 1,000 square feet which is constructed and owned by a natural person for hunting and which is repaired or reconstructed to the same dimension and condition as existed on January 1, 2011, if the building or structure:
1. Is not rented or leased or used as a principal residence;
2. Is not located within the 100-year floodplain according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s current Flood Insurance Rate Map; and
3. Is not connected to an off-site electric power or water supply.
102.2.1 – 102.2.6. Add to read as follows:
102.2.1 In addition to the requirements of Section 553.79 and 553.80, Florida Statutes, facilities subject to the provisions of Chapter 395, Florida Statutes, and Part II of Chapter 400, Florida Statutes, shall have facility plans reviewed and construction surveyed by the state agency authorized to do so under the requirements of Chapter 395, Florida Statutes, and Part II of Chapter 400, Florida Statutes, and the certification requirements of the federal government.
102.2.2 Residential buildings or structures moved into or within a county or municipality shall not be required to be brought into compliance with the state minimum building code in force at the time the building or structure is moved, provided:
1. The building or structure is structurally sound and in occupiable condition for its intended use;
2. The occupancy use classification for the building or structure is not changed as a result of the move;
3. The building is not substantially remodeled;
4. Current fire code requirements for ingress and egress are met;
5. Electrical, gas and plumbing systems meet the codes in force at the time of construction and are operational and safe for reconnection; and
6. Foundation plans are sealed by a professional engineer or architect licensed to practice in this state, if required by the Florida Building Code, Building for all residential buildings or structures of the same occupancy class.
102.2.3 The building official shall apply the same standard to a moved residential building or structure as that applied to the remodeling of any comparable residential building or structure to determine whether the moved structure is substantially remodeled. The cost of the foundation on which the moved building or structure is placed shall not be included in the cost of remodeling for purposes of determining whether a moved building or structure has been substantially remodeled.
102.2.4 This section does not apply to the jurisdiction and authority of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to inspect amusement rides or the Department of Financial Services to inspect state-owned buildings and boilers.
102.2.5 Each enforcement district shall be governed by a board, the composition of which shall be determined by the affected localities.
1. At its own option, each enforcement district or local enforcement agency may adopt rules granting to the owner of a single-family residence one or more exemptions from the Florida Building Code relating to:
a. Addition, alteration, or repairs performed by the property owner upon his or her own property, provided any addition or alteration shall not exceed 1,000 square feet or the square footage of the primary structure, whichever is less.
b. Addition, alteration, or repairs by a nonowner within a specific cost limitation set by rule, provided the total cost shall not exceed $5,000 within any 12-month period.
c. Building and inspection fees.
2. However, the exemptions under subparagraph 1 do not apply to single-family residences that are located in mapped flood hazard areas, as defined in the code, unless the enforcement district or local enforcement agency has determined that the work, which is otherwise exempt, does not constitute a substantial improvement, including the repair of substantial damage, of such single-family residences.
3. Each code exemption, as defined in sub-subparagraphs 1a, 1b, and 1c shall be certified to the local board 10 days prior to implementation and shall only be effective in the territorial jurisdiction of the enforcement district or local enforcement agency implementing it.
102.2.6 This section does not apply to swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling.
Exception: Electrical service to such playground equipment shall be in accordance with Chapter 27 of this code.
Section 102 – Applicability. Change Section 102.5 to read as follows:
102.5 Partial invalidity. In the event that any part or provision of this code is held to be illegal or void, this shall not have the effect of making void or illegal any of the other parts or provisions. Reserved.
Section 102 – Applicability. Change Section 102.6 to read as follows:
102.6 Existing structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as otherwise specifically provided in this code, the Florida Building Code, Existing Building the International Existing Building Code the International Property Maintenance Code or the International Fire Code or the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
102.6.1 – 102.6.2 (no change)
Section 102 – Applicability. Change Section 102.7 to read as follows:
102.7 Relocation of manufactured buildings.
(1) Relocation of an existing manufactured building does not constitute an alteration.
(2) A relocated building shall comply with wind speed requirements of the new location, using the appropriate wind speed map. If the existing building was manufactured in compliance with the Standard Building Code (prior to March 1, 2002), the wind speed map of the Standard Building Code shall be applicable. If the existing building was manufactured in compliance with the Florida Building Code (after March 1, 2002), the wind speed map of the Florida Building Code shall be applicable.
(3) A relocated building shall comply with the flood hazard area requirements of the new location, if applicable.
Section 102 – Applicability. Add Section 102.8 to read as follows:
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