FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION

• To Hear a Legislative Update

Legislative Issues Update

Jim Richmond, Commission Attorney, provided an update on legislative issues of interest to the Commission from the 2009 Florida Legislative Session, and answered member’s questions.

Overview of Report:

Jim reported that SB 2100 sponsored by Senator Bennett, has proposed amendments (from the Bill as reported at the March 30, 2009 Teleconference Meeting) relevant to the Commission. Jim reviewed amendments relevant to the Commission, they are as follows:

Section 79

553.844 Windstorm loss mitigation; requirements for roofs and opening protection.—

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, exposed mechanical equipment or appliances fastened to rated stands, platforms, curbs, or slabs are deemed to comply with the wind resistance requirements for windborne debris regions as defined in s. 1609.2, Buildings Volume, 2007 Florida Building Code, as amended, and no further support or enclosure may be required by a state or local official having authority to enforce the Florida Building Code.

FBC APRIL 20, 2009 REPORT 1

Following a discussion of Section 79, the Commission voted as follows:

Co mmissio n Actions

Motion—The Commission voted unanimously, 16 – 0 in favor, to recommend that the Legislature sunset the deemed to comply amendment in 553.844 (4) on December 31, 2009. This provides manufactures with time to comply with the requirements of the Florida Building Code, requiring exposed mechanical equipment and appliances to meet wind resistance requirements for wind-borne debris regions as defined in s. 1609.2, Building Volume, 2007 Florida Building Code.

The Teleconference call experienced technical difficulty and ended at this point.

Following are additional amendments of interest to the Commission:

Section 80

553.885 Carbon monoxide alarm required.—

(1)

Every separate building or addition to an existing building, other than a hospital, an inpatient hospice facility, or a nursing home facility licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration, constructed for which a building permit is issued for new construction on or after July 1, 2008, and having a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage, or other feature, fixture, or element that emits carbon monoxide as a byproduct of combustion shall have an approved operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within 10 feet of each room used for sleeping purposes in the new building or addition, or at such other locations as required by the Florida Building Code. The requirements of this subsection may be satisfied with the installation of a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm or a battery-powered combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarm. For a new hospital, an inpatient hospice facility, or a nursing home facility licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration, an approved operational carbon monoxide detector shall be installed inside or directly outside of each room or area within the hospital or facility where a fossil-fuel-burning heater, engine, or appliance is located. This detector shall be connected to the fire alarm system of the hospital or facility as a supervisory signal. This subsection does not apply to existing buildings that are undergoing alterations or repairs unless the alteration is an addition as defined in subsection (3).

(3)

(c) “Addition” means an extension or increase in floor area, number of stories, or height of a building or structure.

FBC APRIL 20, 2009 REPORT 2

Section 81

553.9061 Scheduled increases in thermal efficiency standards.—

(2)

The Florida Building Commission shall identify within code support and compliance documentation the specific building options and elements available to meet the energy performance goals established in subsection (1). Energy efficiency performance options and elements include, but are not limited to:

(a)

Energy-efficient water heating systems, including solar water heating.

(b)

Energy-efficient appliances.

(c)

Energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights.

(d)

Low solar-absorption roofs, also known as “cool roofs.”

(e)

Enhanced ceiling and wall insulation.

(f)

Reduced-leak duct systems and energy-saving devices and features installed within duct systems.

(g)

Programmable thermostats.

(h)

Energy-efficient lighting systems.

(i)

Energy-saving quality installation procedures for replacement air conditioning systems, including, but not limited to, equipment sizing analysis and duct testing.

(j)

Shading devices, sunscreening materials, and overhangs.

(k)

Weatherstripping, caulking, and sealing of exterior openings and penetrations.

FBC APRIL 20, 2009 REPORT 3