# Florida Building Code - General Requirements

**Based on**: 7th Edition Florida Building Code - Building (2023)
**Base Code**: IBC 2021 with Florida amendments
**Authority**: Florida Building Commission, Local Building Officials

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## Quick Reference - Florida vs. IBC

| Requirement | Florida | IBC 2021 |
|-------------|---------|----------|
| Sprinklers (R-2) | Required 3+ stories | Required 3+ stories |
| Sprinklers (R-3) | Not required (IRC) | Not required |
| Wind design | Enhanced (ASCE 7 + HVHZ) | ASCE 7 only |
| Product approval | Florida Product Approval required | Manufacturer data |
| Termite protection | Required statewide | Climate-dependent |
| Flood | Enhanced (ASCE 24 + freeboard) | ASCE 24 |
| Impact glazing | Wind-borne debris regions | Wind-borne debris regions |
| Energy code | Florida Energy Code (FECC) | IECC |

---

## Occupancy Classifications (Chapter 3)

### Florida Amendments to IBC Occupancies

Florida follows IBC occupancy classifications with these key amendments:

#### Assembly (A)
| Group | Florida Notes |
|-------|---------------|
| A-1 | Same as IBC |
| A-2 | Restaurants >300 occupants require sprinklers |
| A-3 | Churches, gyms - same as IBC |
| A-4 | Indoor sports - same as IBC |
| A-5 | Outdoor - hurricane shelter provisions may apply |

#### Business (B)
- Professional offices, banks, clinics
- **Florida**: Hurricane shelter requirements for public buildings

#### Educational (E)
- K-12 schools, day care >5 children
- **Florida**: Enhanced hurricane resistance for shelter schools
- **SREF**: State Requirements for Educational Facilities apply

#### Institutional (I)
| Group | Florida Notes |
|-------|---------------|
| I-1 | Assisted living - AHCA licensing |
| I-2 | Hospitals, nursing homes - AHCA + OSHPD equivalent |
| I-3 | Detention - same as IBC |
| I-4 | Day care - DCF licensing requirements |

#### Mercantile (M)
- Retail, sales, markets
- **Florida**: Product approval for storefront systems

#### Residential (R)
| Group | Florida Notes |
|-------|---------------|
| R-1 | Hotels/motels - sprinklers required |
| R-2 | Apartments - sprinklers 3+ stories |
| R-3 | 1-2 family - Florida Residential Code applies |
| R-4 | Care facilities 5-16 persons |

#### Storage (S)
| Group | Florida Notes |
|-------|---------------|
| S-1 | Moderate hazard storage |
| S-2 | Low hazard, parking garages |

---

## Construction Types (Chapter 6)

### Fire-Resistance Requirements

Florida follows IBC Table 601 with enhanced wind/flood provisions:

| Element | I-A | I-B | II-A | II-B | III-A | III-B | IV | V-A | V-B |
|---------|-----|-----|------|------|-------|-------|-----|-----|-----|
| Structural frame | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | HT | 1 | 0 |
| Bearing walls (ext) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Bearing walls (int) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1/HT | 1 | 0 |
| Floor construction | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | HT | 1 | 0 |
| Roof construction | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | HT | 1 | 0 |

### Florida Construction Considerations

#### Exterior Walls (Wind Zones)
| Wind Speed | Requirements |
|------------|--------------|
| < 130 mph | Standard IBC |
| 130-150 mph | Enhanced connection |
| > 150 mph | HVHZ methods or engineered |
| HVHZ | Full HVHZ compliance |

#### Exterior Wall Coverings
- **Product approval**: Required for all cladding
- **HVHZ**: Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval
- **Testing**: TAS or ASTM per wind zone

---

## Height and Area (Chapter 5)

### Allowable Height (Table 504.3 - Florida follows IBC)

| Occupancy | I-A | I-B | II-A | II-B | III-A | V-A | V-B |
|-----------|-----|-----|------|------|-------|-----|-----|
| A-2 | UL | 160' | 65' | 55' | 65' | 50' | 40' |
| B | UL | 180' | 65' | 55' | 65' | 50' | 40' |
| E | UL | 160' | 65' | 55' | 65' | 50' | 40' |
| M | UL | 180' | 65' | 55' | 65' | 50' | 40' |
| R-1 | UL | 180' | 65' | 55' | 65' | 50' | 40' |
| R-2 | UL | 180' | 65' | 55' | 65' | 50' | 40' |

### Allowable Stories (Table 504.4)

| Occupancy | I-A | I-B | II-A | II-B | III-A | V-A | V-B |
|-----------|-----|-----|------|------|-------|-----|-----|
| A-2 | UL | 11 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| B | UL | 11 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| E | UL | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| M | UL | 11 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| R-1 | UL | 11 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| R-2 | UL | 11 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |

### Allowable Area (Table 506.2)

| Occupancy | I-B | II-A | II-B | III-A | V-A | V-B |
|-----------|-----|------|------|-------|-----|-----|
| A-2 | UL | 15,500 | 9,500 | 14,000 | 11,500 | 6,000 |
| B | UL | 37,500 | 23,000 | 28,500 | 18,000 | 9,000 |
| E | UL | 26,500 | 14,500 | 23,500 | 18,500 | 9,500 |
| M | UL | 21,500 | 12,500 | 18,500 | 14,000 | 9,000 |
| R-1 | UL | 24,000 | 16,000 | 24,000 | 12,000 | 7,000 |
| R-2 | UL | 24,000 | 16,000 | 24,000 | 12,000 | 7,000 |

### Area Increases (Florida follows IBC)

**Sprinkler increase**:
- Multi-story: 200% (3× base)
- Single-story: 300% (4× base)

**Frontage increase**:
- Per IBC formula based on open space

---

## Fire Protection (Chapter 9)

### Automatic Sprinklers

#### When Required (Florida)

| Condition | Sprinkler Required |
|-----------|-------------------|
| Group A > 300 occupants | Yes |
| Group A-1, A-2 with stage > 1,000 sf | Yes |
| Group E | Yes |
| Group F-1 > 12,000 sf | Yes |
| Group H | Yes (with exceptions) |
| Group I | Yes |
| Group M > 12,000 sf | Yes |
| Group R-1 | Yes |
| Group R-2 (3+ stories) | Yes |
| Group R-2 (any height, 16+ units) | Yes |
| Group S-1 > 12,000 sf | Yes |
| High-rise (> 75') | Yes |
| Basements > 2,500 sf | Yes |
| Windowless stories | Yes |

#### System Types
| Occupancy | System |
|-----------|--------|
| R-1, R-2 | NFPA 13R or 13 |
| R-3, R-4 | NFPA 13D |
| All others | NFPA 13 |

### Standpipes

| Building Type | Class Required |
|---------------|----------------|
| 4+ stories above/below grade | Class I |
| Floors > 10,000 sf | Class I |
| High-rise | Class I |
| Covered mall | Class I |
| Stage > 1,000 sf | Class III |
| Assembly | Class I |

### Fire Alarm

| Condition | Alarm Required |
|-----------|----------------|
| Group A > 300 occupants | Yes |
| Group B > 500 occupants | Yes |
| Group E | Yes |
| Group I | Yes |
| Group R-1 | Yes |
| Group R-2 (3+ stories) | Yes |
| High-rise | Yes (voice/alarm) |

---

## Interior Finishes (Chapter 8)

### Interior Wall/Ceiling Finish

| Location | Class Required |
|----------|----------------|
| Exit enclosures | A |
| Exit passageways | A |
| Corridors (A, B, E, I, M, R-1) | A or B |
| Corridors (others) | A, B, or C |
| Rooms/enclosed spaces | A, B, or C |
| Group I-3 | A |

**Class Definitions**:
- **Class A**: Flame spread 0-25, smoke developed 0-450
- **Class B**: Flame spread 26-75, smoke developed 0-450
- **Class C**: Flame spread 76-200, smoke developed 0-450

### Interior Floor Finish

| Location | Class Required |
|----------|----------------|
| Exit enclosures (I, I-2) | Class I |
| Exit access corridors (I, I-2) | Class I |
| Exit enclosures (others) | Class I or II |
| Exit access corridors (others) | Class I or II |

**Class Definitions**:
- **Class I**: Critical radiant flux ≥ 0.45 W/cm²
- **Class II**: Critical radiant flux ≥ 0.22 W/cm²

---

## Special Uses (Chapter 4)

### High-Rise Buildings (Section 403)

**Definition**: Occupied floor > 75' above lowest fire department access

#### Requirements
| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Sprinklers | Throughout |
| Fire alarm | Voice/alarm communication |
| Fire command center | Required |
| Elevators | Fire service access |
| Stair enclosures | Smokeproof or pressurized |
| Emergency power | Required |
| Standby power | Required |

#### Florida High-Rise Amendments
- Enhanced wind design per ASCE 7
- Hurricane shutters or impact glazing
- Emergency generator fuel storage
- Rooftop equipment strapping

### Atriums (Section 404)

| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Sprinklers | Throughout |
| Smoke control | Required |
| Fire barrier | At atrium opening |
| Standby power | For smoke control |

### Covered/Open Mall Buildings (Section 402)

| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Sprinklers | Throughout |
| Anchor separation | Fire barriers |
| Travel distance | Per table |
| Exit access | Through mall or direct |

### Underground Buildings (Section 405)

**Definition**: Lowest occupied floor > 30' below exit discharge

| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Sprinklers | Throughout |
| Smoke control | Required |
| Compartmentalization | Required |
| Standby power | Required |

---

## Mixed Occupancy (Chapter 5)

### Separated Occupancies

Fire barrier rating per Table 508.4:

| Separation | S (sprinklered) | NS (unsprinklered) |
|------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| A and R | 1 hr | 2 hr |
| B and R | 1 hr | 2 hr |
| E and R | 1 hr | 2 hr |
| M and R | 1 hr | 2 hr |
| R-1 and R-2 | 1 hr | 2 hr |
| I-2 and any | 2 hr | 2 hr |

### Nonseparated Occupancies
- Building treated as most restrictive occupancy
- Height, area, construction type per most restrictive

### Accessory Occupancies
- Max 10% of floor area
- Max 10% of building aggregate
- No separation required (exceptions: H, I)

---

## Exterior Walls (Chapter 7)

### Fire-Resistance Based on Separation

| Fire Separation Distance | Group H | F-1, M, S-1 | Others |
|--------------------------|---------|-------------|--------|
| < 5 feet | 3 hr | 2 hr | 1 hr |
| 5 - < 10 feet | 2 hr | 1 hr | 1 hr |
| 10 - < 30 feet | 1 hr | 1 hr | 0 hr |
| ≥ 30 feet | 0 hr | 0 hr | 0 hr |

### Opening Limitations

| Fire Separation Distance | Unprotected Openings |
|--------------------------|---------------------|
| < 3 feet | Not permitted |
| 3 - < 5 feet | 15% max |
| 5 - < 10 feet | 25% max |
| 10 - < 15 feet | 45% max |
| 15 - < 20 feet | 75% max |
| ≥ 20 feet | Unlimited |

---

## Florida-Specific Requirements

### Product Approval (Chapter 1)

**Required for**:
- Windows and doors
- Exterior wall coverings
- Roofing materials
- Structural components
- Impact protection

**Approval types**:
- **Florida Product Approval**: Statewide
- **Miami-Dade NOA**: HVHZ specific
- **Local product approval**: Limited jurisdictions

### Termite Protection (Section 1503.6)

Required statewide:
- **Soil treatment**: Pre-construction termiticide
- **Bait systems**: Alternative method
- **Physical barriers**: Stainless steel mesh, etc.
- **Pressure-treated wood**: At ground contact
- **Inspection access**: Required

### Moisture Protection

#### Vapor Retarders
- **Climate zone 1-2**: Class I or II on interior
- **Exceptions**: Per energy code

#### Weather-Resistant Barriers
- **Behind cladding**: WRB required
- **Flashings**: At penetrations, transitions
- **Integration**: With window/door systems

### Hurricane Shutters/Impact Glazing

**Wind-borne debris region**:
- Within 1 mile of coast where V ≥ 130 mph
- Anywhere V ≥ 140 mph

**Protection required**:
- All glazed openings
- Exterior doors
- Garage doors

---

## Structural (Chapter 16)

### Florida Structural Amendments

| Load Type | Florida Requirement |
|-----------|---------------------|
| Wind | ASCE 7 + HVHZ where applicable |
| Flood | ASCE 24 + local freeboard |
| Seismic | Per ASCE 7 (mostly SDC A-B) |
| Snow | N/A in Florida |

### Load Combinations (Florida follows ASCE 7)

**LRFD**:
1. 1.4D
2. 1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5(Lr or R)
3. 1.2D + 1.6(Lr or R) + (L or 0.5W)
4. 1.2D + 1.0W + L + 0.5(Lr or R)
5. 0.9D + 1.0W

### Special Inspections (Chapter 17)

| Item | Inspection Required |
|------|---------------------|
| Concrete (structural) | Continuous during placement |
| Reinforcing steel | Prior to concrete |
| Structural steel welding | Per AWS D1.1 |
| High-strength bolting | During installation |
| Masonry (structural) | Continuous during grouting |
| Wood shear walls | During nailing |
| Soils/foundations | During excavation, placement |

---

## Quick Checklists

### New Commercial Building (Florida)
- [ ] Occupancy group determined
- [ ] Construction type selected
- [ ] Height and area verified
- [ ] Sprinkler requirements checked
- [ ] Fire alarm requirements checked
- [ ] Product approvals identified (windows, doors, roofing)
- [ ] Wind zone/HVHZ determined
- [ ] Flood zone verified
- [ ] Termite protection specified
- [ ] Special inspections identified

### New Multi-Family (Florida)
- [ ] R-2 occupancy confirmed
- [ ] 3+ stories = sprinklers required
- [ ] Fire alarm per code
- [ ] Corridor ratings per table
- [ ] Unit separation (1-hour typical)
- [ ] Accessibility per FHA/ADA
- [ ] Wind/impact protection
- [ ] Product approvals for exterior

### Change of Occupancy
- [ ] New occupancy determined
- [ ] Construction type adequate?
- [ ] Fire protection adequate?
- [ ] Means of egress adequate?
- [ ] Accessibility triggered?
- [ ] Wind/flood compliance needed?

---

## Key Florida Resources

### Florida Building Commission
- **Website**: floridabuilding.org
- **Product approval**: floridabuilding.org/pr/

### Local Building Departments
- Issue permits and inspections
- May have local amendments
- Verify adopted code edition

### DBPR (Licensing)
- Contractor licensing
- Design professional licensing

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*Reference: Florida Building Code 7th Edition (2023)*
*Florida amendments are significant - always verify with local AHJ*
*Product approval required for regulated products*
