Code
Modification Process
Questions
& Answers:
Question 1: Has the mod submittal process changed from
previous code change cycles?
Answer: Yes, the following are a list of some of
these changes:
1. The code
modification module has been fully revamped to make it more user-friendly and
practical.
2. Under the new
modification module there is no need to download a form. All of the information to submit a mod is now
done online at www.floridabuilding.org through a mod
database.
3. In order to submit a mod, you must be
registered or have a previous account at www.floridabuilding.org. If you aren’t sure about your status, contact
our office at 850-487-1824. However, in
order to register you need to select “User Registration” from the top menu bar
on the homepage of www.floridabuilding.org.
4. Make sure that
your email in your registration is accurate, and is your main email address
that you receive day to day emails. This
ensures that you receive updates and feedback from staff regarding your mod. Mods that are not complete will not be
considered by the Commission. Also it is
advisable that you submit your mod far in advance of the deadline (April 2,
2010) to allow ample time for staff feedback.
5. Online help has
been added. For further clarification on certain fields check the online help
for that field.
Question 2: Can one submit support documentation as part
of the proposed mod in the new system?
Answer: Yes, the system allows for support
documentation to be allowed as an attachment.
Figures and tables can be inserted directly into the text of the mod.
Question 3: Can I comment on
a mod ?
Answer: Yes, Registered users can comment on a
specific mod during the 45 day comment period.
For more information see answer to question
16. Comments can be either general
or alternate language to the proposed mod.
Question 4:
Can a proposed Mod be withdrawn after submittal?
Answer: Yes, but withdrawal must be by the
original petitioner.
Question 5: Is there a form to download for submitting
a mod?
Answer: No, see answer to Question 1.
Question
6: Once I submit a
mod how do I monitor it and follow its status through the process?
Answer: On our
website, login and under Proposed Code modifications module select “Manage proposed Code Modifications”. There
you will find notices and status tabs of mods submitted by you. We also
recommend checking your email for automated notifications from the system and
from emails sent by staff. Please be sure your email and spam blocker accepts
incoming email from @dbpr.state.fl.us and @floridabuilding.org
Question 7: Who can submit a mod?
Answer: Anyone with access
to a computer and the internet can submit a proposed code modification.
Question 8: Are the Commission hearings on the
proposed Mods open to the public?
Answer: Yes, all
Commission and Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.
Question 9: How is the petitioner notified when the
TAC/Commission is taking up his/her mod?
Answer: All activities
regarding Mods will be communicated via email correspondence from Staff to all
registered users, including petitioners.
Question 10: Can I submit my Mod in other means ie.
fax, email, CD, hardcopy, etc. in lieu of using the online BCIS submittal.
Answer:
No,
mods submitted outside the BCIS online system will not be processed.
Question 11: Which Committee is taking up my mod?
Answer: Upon submittal and
based on subject matter, the system will designate the Mod to the specific TAC.
Question 12: How do I get a list of the Committee and
Commission members?
Answer: Please visit our website at www.floridabuilding.org and click on the
middle FBC section for “Commission Agendas and Minutes”, here you will find the
Commission members. Then for TACs
members click on the far left for “Program Committees”
Question 13: How do I submit a mod?
Answer:
1. You must be registered with www.floridbuilding.org to submit a
mod. Please see answer to Question 1.
2. If you are already registered, you can
submit a mod. However, it is advisable that you work offline in a word
processor on the format of your mod to ensure no complications. After
assembling your mod, cut and paste it to the website for submittal.
3. There are pages throughout the mod application that
have required fields (Blue titles with asterisks *) which must be completed in
order for the application to be accepted by the system.
4. While working
on a mod make sure to select “Save in Progress” to ensure you don’t lose any of
your work. Hitting “next” advances to
the next page and saves all work previously done.
Question 14: What are the timelines for the 2010 code
development process?
Answer: The following are the timeline as planned and
approved by the Commission at the October 2009 Commission meeting:
Schedule:
Printed 2009 International Codes published and available to
the public 4/2/09
2009 I Codes must be
available to public for 6 months prior to selection
…
Commission
selects 2009 I Codes as foundation for 2010 FBC (Oct Cmsn meeting) 10/13/09
…
Staff evaluates changes of 2006 to 2009 I Codes for overlap
with Florida amendments 4/09-11/09
…
TACs review existing Florida
amendments that overlap with 2006 to 2009 I code 12/6-9/09
changes
and develop recommendations for retaining the Florida amendment
or the new I code requirement. (see subtask below)
…
All
existing Florida amendments compiled in 2009 I Codes format posted to website 2/1/10
including
TAC recommendations for “overlapping” amendments
Note: Proposed amendments to existing “Florida specific” code
requirements must be made to the section numbers provided in this document.
Staff will not correlate proposals for proponents.
…
Local
amendments posted to the website 2/1/10
…
FFPC to FBC correlations/overlaps
identified and recommendations developed 1/20/10
(see subtask below)
…
Submittal of new proposed
amendments for the 2010 FBC opens 3/1/10
…
New proposed amendments for the
2010 FBC due and process closes 4/2/10
…
Proposed amendments reviewed by
staff and posted to the Commission website 5/1/10
…
45 day comment period ends (By law- 45 day min before TAC review) 6/15/10
…
TACs review proposed Florida amendments
and make recommendations 8/9-10/10
at Rule Development Workshop (August 2010 Commission meeting)
…
TAC recommendations posted to the
website 9/3/10
…
45 day comment period ends (By law- 45 day min before Commission review) 10/18/10
…
TACs review comments on their
recommendations and prepare public comment 11/15/10
for
the Rule Hearing
…
Commission considers TAC recommendations on proposed
amendments 12/7-8/10
at the Rule Adoption Hearing (December 2010 Commission meeting)
…
File the Rule adopting the 2010 FBC and post the Supplement on the website 2/1/11
…
2010 Florida Building Code Rule is
final but with implementation date of 12/31/11 3/1/11
(By law- Code must
be available for 6 months before implementation)
…
Code amended to resolve glitches (see Glitch schedule below) 4/11-6/11
…
Code printed with integrated Florida
modifications and glitch fixes 10/1/11
Code implemented 12/31/11
Note: By law this is the latest date the
Florida Fire Code can be implemented. The goal is to implement the FFPC and FBC
concurrently.
Question 15: When does the
code change cycle for the 2010 Florida Building Code (FBC) start?
Answer:
March 1, 2010. For more details
see answer to question 14.
Question 16: What happened to my Mod after submittal?
Answer:
Staff reviews the mod for verification and if complete then the status
will be toggled to “verified”. Once a
modification is toggled to verified you should receive a email notification
from the system.
Mods that are
verified/complete will be compiled and published for comments by the public for
45 days starting March 1. After the 45
day period Staff will compile the Mods along with the comments received from
the general public and present them to the appropriate technical advisory
committees (TACs). At the Committee
meeting, which is open to the public, the Committee members review the proposed
Mods and hear comments from the proponents and the general public. Based on the review and the comments received
on the proposed mod and the committee renders an action for recommendation to
the Commission. This is the first 45 day
review process.
After the
Committee meetings, staff updates the BCIS system to add Committee actions into
the database and after the system is updated with the changes, a 2nd
45 day Comment period begins. Comments
received on the Committee actions after this 2nd 45 day Comment
period will again be compiled by staff and presented to the appropriate
Committees for review and evaluation.
The final step is for the Commission to approve the Committee actions
and to proceed with the adoption process using F.S. Chapter 120 procedure. For more information see also answer to Question 14.
Question 17: What happens to the Mod after adoption
through F.S. Chapter 120 procedure?
Answer: A
document consisting of all the approved Code changes in legislative format will
be published on the BCIS shortly after the completion of the F.S. Chapter 120
procedures.
Question 18: When do you expect the new Code (2010 FBC) to
go into effect?
Answer:
See the answer to question 14
above.
Question 19: Is the code going to be available before the
projected effective date (see timeline/ see question #14)?
Answer: Yes, the code
will be available 6 months before the
effective date.
Question 20: If I have question about the code or code
development process who do I call?
Answer: You can call the State of Florida Building
Codes and Standards office at 850-487-1824.
Question 21: I have a question on the use of the website
and mod submittal, who should I call?
Answer: You can call the State of Florida Building
Codes and Standards office at 850-487-1824.
Question 22: What is the Draft 2010 FBC?
Answer: The 2010 Florida
Building Code (FBC) is a document which consists of a foundation code “2009 International
Building Codes” and Florida specific amendments. By statute, the Florida Building Commission
(the Authority having jurisdiction with regard to the development and
maintenance of the Florida Building Code) is required every 3 years to update the
Florida Building Code using the latest edition of the International Codes
(I-Codes, Published by the ICC) as a foundation to the updated FBC, and allow
the public to comment to address Florida’s specific needs, and incorporate
Florida’s specific requirements that are in the current FBC. For more history see our website at www.floridabuilding.org
Question 23: I’m proposing a 2010 FBC code change, what
documents should I use?
Answer: In order to submit a code change, use the
2009 I-Codes as the foundation and the Florida supplement to the 2009
I-Codes. These two documents are
available from the following links:
1. I-Codes -
http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/ibc/2009/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2009-000001&bu2=IC-P-2009-000019
2. FBC 2009
supplement -
http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/thecode/Documents_to_be_Used.htm
After reviewing
both the 2009 I-codes and Florida supplement to the 2009 I-Codes, cut the text
of concern and revise as appropriate using legislative format for establishing
your proposed code change.
Question 24: Do I receive a confirmation after I submit my
mod?
Answer:
Yes the system is designed to show a confirmation screen and you also
receive an email from the system confirming submittal. In addition you can also
view system generated notices in your BCIS inbox. To get there first login to
www.floridabuilding.org, hover or click on Proposed Code Modifications, then
select at the bottom of the menu "Manage Proposed Code
Modifications". Notices will appear that are more urgent at the top under
the "Action required" area. General updates are found in the bottom
chart under the "Information only" area.
Question 25: How can one search for an existing Mod?
Answer:
1. If just searching,
there is no need to login, just go to “Proposed Code Modifications” from the
homepage, then click “Find a Proposed Code Modification”.
2. If you happen to know the Mod number (4 digit number)
just enter it in the top field along with the specific Code year. Then click “Search”.
3. If you happen to not know the mod number, but you do
know the subcode, chapter, etc., you can select these options and then search
for all available mods for the subject of concern. Please note the more variables you select,
you will get less search results. We
recommend starting broad and then refining your search.
Question 26: I want to explain my mod fully in the
“Rationale” section but it is only limited to 500 characters. How do I get
around this limitation?
Answer: You
can upload files in .pdf format that support your proposed code modification
by clicking on the button “upload
support file” located just below the rationale box.
These pdfs are not limited in size
and you can upload as many as needed.
Question
27: Where is my BCIS inbox?
Answer: To get there first
login to www.floridabuilding.org, hover or click on Proposed Code
Modifications, then select at the
bottom of the menu "Manage Proposed Code Modifications". Notices will
appear that are more urgent at the top
under the "Action required" area. General updates are found in the
bottom chart under the "Information only" area.
Question
28: What are the highlighted yellow text areas of the
documents provided (ie supplement)?
Answer: The highlighted yellow text
indicates “Florida Specific” language
Question 29: I saved my mod in progress and want to go
back and resume where I left off but I cant find it. Where did it go?
Answer: If you saved in progress your mod will be in the
“Saved in Progress” Tab. To get to this
tab, first login, then go to the “Proposed Code Modifications” Tab. Here go to the bottom of the menu and select
“Manage Proposed Code Modifications”
Under this section you can select at the top the “Saved in Progress” tab
and then select the mod number you were working on to resume.
Question 30:
What is the text-box field “Related Modifications”?
Answer: This is a text box to enter only if there
are mods related to this mod you are entering.
If there are enter the mod number, if there are no mods that you know of
that pertain to your mod you can leave this text-box blank.
Question 31:
I received word that my modification was returned because it needed more
information. How do I find out what
needs to be done to my mod to make it complete?
Answer: Check your email that you have registered with the
BCIS. You should have an email with the
subject line “Original Modification Need More Information” and in the body of
the text there should be a section called More Information Requested:
and then a sentence or two on what is needed.
Make the necessary changes that are stated in the email. The next step is to resubmit the mod. This is done by clicking through the correct
portions of the mod and then click “submit” at the final page. This will remove the mod from the “needs more
information” statusand toggles it to “Pending DBPR Review”
Question 32:
How do I find all of the “good” mods?
Answer: Mods that
are “verified” are considered complete and will be permitted to continue
through the process. Users can search
by “verified” mods by going to “Find a Proposed Code Modification”
Question
33: I have an error on my previously submitted
mod, do I have to submit a new mod to correct this problem?
Answer: No, you can request the mod go into re-edit
status from DBPR staff by calling 850-487-1824 or by contacting Mo.madani@dbpr.state.fl.us