2010 Florida Building Code - Highlight of changes affecting elevators

2010 Florida Building Code, Building

403.6.1 - High-rise building that have an occupied floor level more than 120 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access must now be provided with at least one elevator specifically designed for fire department access.

403.6.2 - Elevators in high-rise buildings are now permitted to be used for occupant self-evacuation where in compliance with the conditions established in section 3008.

3007 - A fire service access elevator using key features to assist firefighters in access and rescue operations is now required in high-rise buildings with an occupied floor more than 120 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

3008 - Specific provisions have been added to address the use of passenger elevators for occupant evacuation purposes.

2012 ACCESSIBILITY CODE

(1) Standard update:

- A17.1a-2002 Addenda and A17.1b-2003 Addenda

- A18.1-1999

- A18.1a-2001 Addenda and A18.1b-2001 Addenda.

(2) Alterations:

- When an element in one elevator is altered, the same elements must be altered in all elevators that are programmed to respond to the same call button as the altered elevator.

- Alternate specifications for: call controls and signals, hall signals, doors, car size, car controls.

(3) Platform Lifts:

- Allowed only at: performance areas/speakers’ platforms; wheelchair spaces in assembly areas; incidental spaces; judicial spaces (e.g., witness stands, judges’ benches); and existing site constraints.

- Permits platform lifts to be used to connect levels within transient lodging guest rooms and dwelling units with mobility features.

(4) Requires standby power to be provided for platform lifts that are permitted to serve as part of an accessible means of egress by the FBC/IBC.

(5) Include an exception Describes lobby controls for destination – oriented elevator systems.

(6) Describes lobby controls for destination – oriented elevator systems.

(7) Allows destination – oriented elevators to not provide call buttons with visible signals to indicate when each call is registered and when each call is answered provided that visible and audible signals, compliant with 407.2.2.

(8) LULA elevators:

- Contain technical requirements for LULA elevators

- Allowed only: Where standard elevator not required; as alternative to platform lifts; and in residential dwelling units.

(9) 407.4.1 Elevator Car Dimensions – more alternatives (see table below).

(10) Design providing turning space within car recognized.

(11) Private Residence Elevators:

- Allowed only in residential units.

- Required compliance with ASME A17.1.

Note: For copy of the latest draft of the 2012 Florida Building Code, Accessibility, please visit our website at www.floridabuilding.org. Also, the following link will take you directly to the Accessibility Code and the 2010 Florida Building Code.

http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/thecode/FBC_2009_Icode_Supplement.htm