Florida Building Code Update

Dear all interested parties:

The purpose of this email is to provide you with an update regarding the current update to the 2007 Florida Building Code. At the June 9, 2009 Commission meeting, the Commission held a rule adoption hearing regarding Rule 9B-3.047 for the purpose of reviewing and taking action on the proposed glitch code changes to the 2007 FBC. As the result of the hearing, staff published a "Notice of Change" detailing the changes as approved by the Commission. The changes are posted at the link below and titled "Notice of Change as a result of the June 9, 2009 hearing".

http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fbc/thecode/2007_Code_Development_Archive.htm

As per Chapter 120, Florida Statutes procedures, the Notice of Change will be noticed/published for 21 days and then filed with the Department of State. The projected effective date for the changes is mid August 2009. The following is the "purpose and effect" of the changes:

Purpose and effect:
Implement limited changes to the building code that meet the criteria established by Section 553.73(7), F.S., which are identified as follows:
1. An update to the electrical code (2008 NEC) including an exemption for residential pool pumps from the requirements for ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI); 2. Amendment deleting requirements for equipotential bonding for pools since it would be covered under the updated electrical code; 3. Amendment clarifying that "opening protection" as it relates to alteration is limited to site built single-family detached residential structures and homes built prior to the implementation of the Florida Building Code; 4. Correction of a nail diameter that create conflict within the Code; 5. Amendment relating to underlayment standards for mitigation; 6. Amendment to update the energy code computer compliance tools to more accurately reflect code requirements, correct certain "bugs" and equipment baselines founds in their applications; 7. Amendment to revise the energy code residential prescriptive compliance form for consistency with the code requirements and correct certain code implementation dates for equipment; 8. Amendment clarifying that construction documents must be prepared by a registered design professional where required by Florida Statutes; 9. Amendments relating to public swimming pool provisions for consistency with the latest revisions to the Department of Health (DOH) Rule 64E-9, FAC; 10. Amendment to the energy code to clarify the treatment of multiple heating fuel types for consistency with the computer compliance tool; 11. Amendments regarding standard for supporting brick, stone or other veneer; and, 12. Amendments to correct reference sections and unintended omissions of Florida specific amendments as appropriate.


Please also note that the Commission at the June meeting reviewed a number of rules, approved products within the scope of Rule 9B-72 State Product Approval, took actions on accessibility waivers applications and a number of Declaratory statements providing clarification on issues relating to the Florida Building Code and the State Product Approval Program. For detail information regarding these issues, please review the Commission meeting - 2009, June Agenda at posted at the link below.

http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fbc/commission/1_commission_meetings.htm

Thank you

Mo Madani
Building Code and Standards Office

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