Florida Building Commission

Research Project Description

Requested by the Fire TAC

6/27/2017

Project Name:

An Analysis of Property Insurance Impacts Resulting from Potential Changes to the Florida Building Code from the ICC Base Code Provisions

Project Description:

There has been much recent speculation on the potential impact of changes to the Florida Building Code technical provisions on property insurance rates. A project to research this issue would provide future guidance to the TAC’s and Commission as to the reality of this issue. This project would study the impact that change to the Florida Building Code has on residential and commercial property insurance rates for various technical changes. This includes, but is not limited to, understanding how changes to the following specific issues impact property insurance rates to homeowners and businesses in the state of Florida:

1. A jurisdiction’s ISO BCEGS rating.

2. Reducing or increasing the model code provisions with respect to structural design to resist wind.

3. Reducing or increasing the model code provisions with respect to flood protection.

4. Reducing or increasing the model code provisions with respect to fire sprinkler protection.

5. Reducing or increasing the model code provisions with respect to fire separation distances between buildings.

6. Changing from a 3 year update code cycle to a 4 year, 5 year or 6 year update cycle.

Cost Estimate:

It is estimated that this project could be completed well within $15,000. The project involves no site visits or testing. It only involves data collection and analysis.