Florida Building Code is Delayed

The Florida Building Commission has delayed the 2004 Florida Building Code once again-the new date is July 1, 2005. The original date was July 1, 2004 then it was delayed until January 1, 2005. According to a press release published by the Fenestration Manufacturers Association (FMA), an association very involved in Florida building codes and other issues, there is a reason for this delay. The Institute for Building and Home Safety raised a serious concern over a reduction in masonry construction requirements for the center areas of Florida. The commission felt the reduction (which came about with the introduction of the International Residential Code was significant enough to warrant delaying the code in the name of public safety.

This delay does however bring about several major problems for fenestration manufacturers, according to the FMA, as it will also delay recognition of new standards such as ASTM-E-1996-02 and ASTM-S-1886-02. Many manufacturers have already completed or are in the process of testing products to these new editions of these standards. At a meeting held this week, the Florida Building Commission rejected all products submitted for statewide product approval that were tested to the 2002 editions of the two standards.
The FMA has asked the commission to take action to remedy this situation quickly. The commission said it will take steps to alleviate the short term and long term problem. The details of the short-term solution will be announced late next week, and will most likely require an evaluation from a registered Florida P.E. to show equivalency to the 97-99 editions. The FMA will provide this information as it becomes available, and will work with the Florida Department of Community Affairs to submit these standards for equivalency through the Product Approval Rule Development process, which should be completed by February 2005.

This issue will also be discussed at the upcoming FMA Fall Conference Sept. 27-29 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.