Florida Building Commission

February 11, 2020

Sheraton Orlando North

Maitland Florida

LEGAL REPORT

SWIMMING POOL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

DS 2019-071 by Christopher Johnson of Superior Fences & Rail Inc.

TACs ACTION:

Question 1: When the gate latch is located at least 54" from the bottom of the gate, is a barrier that has no opening greater than 1/2 inch (12. 7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism, still required?

Answer: The answer to Petitioner’s question is yes. As per section R4501.17.1.8 of the 6^th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Residential, the gate and the barrier in question must have no opening greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.

Question 2: If a magnetic top pull latch is installed at least 54" from the bottom of the gate, can the release mechanism and the self-latching locking device both be located on the outside of the gate?

Answer: The answer to the Petitioner’s question is no. As per section R4501.17.1.8 of the 6^th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Residential, the self-latching locking device for the project in question must be located on the pool side of the gate and the release mechanism may be located on either side of the gate.

FIRE TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

DS 2019-078 by Ted Caplow of Grayscale Partners, LLC

TACs ACTION:

Question 1: Do the dwelling units in Project A meet the definition of townhouse under the Florida Building Code?

Answer: The answer to Petitioner’s question is no. The project in question does not meet the fire separation requirements of Sections R302.1, R302.2 and R302.2.1 of the 6^th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Residential, which require that each townhouse be considered a separate building and be separated by a separate and continuous fire rated wall assembly meeting the requirements of zero clearance from property lines of Section R302.1 for exterior walls.

Question 2: Do the dwelling units in Project B meet the definition of townhouse under the Florida Building Code?

Answer: The answer to Petitioner’s question is no. The project in question does not meet the fire separation requirements of Sections R302.1, R302.2 and R302.2.1 of the 6^th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Residential, which require that each townhouse be considered a separate building and be separated by a separate and continuous fire rated wall assembly meeting the requirements of zero clearance from property lines of Section R302.1 for exterior walls.

Question 3: Do the dwelling units in Project C meet the definition of townhouse under the Florida Building Code?

Answer: The answer to Petitioner’s question is no. The project in question does not meet the fire separation requirements of Sections R302.1, R302.2 and R302.2.1 of the 6^th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Residential, which require that each townhouse be considered a separate building and be separated by a separate and continuous fire rated wall assembly meeting the requirements of zero clearance from property lines of Section R302.1 for exterior walls.

Question 4: If the answer is yes to one or more of the questions (1-3) above, does it follow that the townhouses in that project are subject to the Florida Building Code, Residential, and therefore not subject to the Florida Building Code, Building?

Answer: Since the answers to Questions 1 through 3 are no, the answer to this question is also no. The design and construction of the projects in question are subject to the requirements of 6^th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Building and not the requirements of the 6^th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Residential.