# Florida Existing Building Code

**Based on**: 7th Edition Florida Building Code - Existing Building (2023)
**Base Code**: IEBC 2021 with Florida amendments
**Scope**: Repairs, alterations, additions, change of occupancy
**Authority**: Florida Building Commission, Local Building Officials

---

## Quick Reference - Work Categories

| Work Type | Description | Code Compliance |
|-----------|-------------|-----------------|
| Repair | Restore to good condition | Materials to current code |
| Alteration Level 1 | Removal/replacement | Element to current code |
| Alteration Level 2 | Reconfiguration | Area to current code |
| Alteration Level 3 | > 50% of building | Extensive upgrades |
| Addition | New floor area | New work to current code |
| Change of Occupancy | Different use | May trigger full compliance |

---

## Compliance Methods (Chapter 3)

### Three Compliance Paths

#### 1. Prescriptive Compliance (Chapter 4-13)
- **Most common method**
- Work category determines requirements
- Limited scope = limited upgrades

#### 2. Work Area Method (Chapter 4-12)
- Alternative prescriptive approach
- Based on percentage of building affected
- Graduated requirements

#### 3. Performance Compliance (Chapter 14)
- Building evaluated as whole
- Points-based system
- Flexibility for historic buildings

---

## Repairs (Chapter 5)

### Definition
Restoration of materials, equipment, or fixtures to good or sound condition

### General Requirements

| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Materials | Like-for-like OR current code |
| Structural | Maintain or improve capacity |
| Fire protection | Maintain existing level |
| Means of egress | Maintain existing configuration |

### Repair Limitations
- **No reduction**: Cannot reduce existing level of compliance
- **Hazards**: Must address any created hazards
- **30% rule**: If repair cost > 30% value, additional requirements

### Substantial Damage (Florida Specific)
If damage ≥ 50% of building value:
- **Flood zone**: Full flood compliance required
- **Wind zone**: May trigger wind upgrades
- **Cumulative**: Some jurisdictions track over time

### Roofing Repairs
| Repair Extent | Requirement |
|---------------|-------------|
| < 25% of roof | Repair to existing standard |
| 25-50% of roof | Section to current code |
| > 50% of roof | Entire roof to current code |

---

## Alterations - Level 1 (Chapter 6)

### Definition
Removal, replacement, or covering of existing elements

### Scope Examples
- Replacing windows (same opening)
- New flooring over existing
- HVAC equipment replacement
- Electrical panel upgrade
- Reroofing

### Requirements

| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| New elements | Current code |
| Existing elements | May remain |
| Accessibility | Not triggered (limited exceptions) |
| Structural | No reduction |
| Egress | Maintain existing |

### Window/Door Replacement (Florida)
- **Product approval**: Required
- **Wind rating**: Per current design wind speed
- **Impact**: If in wind-borne debris region

### Reroofing (Florida)
| Existing Layers | Requirement |
|-----------------|-------------|
| 1 layer | May overlay (conditions apply) |
| 2+ layers | Complete tear-off required |
| Any with damage | Address substrate |

**High-velocity hurricane zone**:
- Product approval required
- Attachment per current code
- Underlayment per current code

---

## Alterations - Level 2 (Chapter 7)

### Definition
Reconfiguration of space, addition/elimination of doors/windows, or reconfiguration of systems

### Scope Examples
- Reconfiguring interior partitions
- Adding or eliminating rooms
- Adding windows/skylights
- New HVAC distribution
- Electrical redistribution

### Work Area Thresholds

| Work Area | Additional Requirements |
|-----------|------------------------|
| < 50% of floor | Limited to work area |
| ≥ 50% of floor | Floor-wide requirements |

### Requirements by Element

#### Structural
- New elements: Current code
- Existing: No reduction in capacity
- Gravity loads: Verify for new use

#### Fire Protection
| Condition | Requirement |
|-----------|-------------|
| Work area only | Maintain existing |
| ≥ 50% of floor | May trigger floor sprinklers |
| New high-rise work | Sprinkler entire floor |

#### Means of Egress
| Condition | Requirement |
|-----------|-------------|
| Work area | Per current code |
| Common path | May require 2nd exit |
| Dead-ends | Limit per current code |

#### Accessibility (Florida follows federal)
| Work Cost | Accessibility Requirement |
|-----------|--------------------------|
| < 50% value | Accessible route to work area |
| ≥ 50% value | Path of travel (25% cap) |

---

## Alterations - Level 3 (Chapter 8)

### Definition
Work area exceeds 50% of aggregate building area

### Triggers
- Total work area > 50% of building
- Calculated as cumulative work areas

### Requirements

| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Structural | Evaluation required |
| Fire protection | Building-wide review |
| Means of egress | Building-wide compliance |
| Accessibility | Building-wide improvements |
| Electrical | Service evaluation |
| Plumbing | System evaluation |

### Fire Protection (Level 3)

| Existing Condition | Requirement |
|-------------------|-------------|
| No sprinklers, required now | Install throughout |
| Partial sprinklers | Extend to work area |
| No alarm, required now | Install building-wide |

### Means of Egress (Level 3)
- **Egress width**: Per current code
- **Exit signs**: Throughout building
- **Emergency lighting**: Throughout building
- **Stair enclosure**: May require upgrade

### Structural Evaluation
- Required when Level 3 triggered
- Assess capacity for current use
- Address deficiencies or limit use

---

## Change of Occupancy (Chapter 9)

### Definition
Change in purpose or level of activity

### When Triggered
- Different occupancy group (A to B, R to M, etc.)
- Different occupancy category within group
- Increase in hazard level

### Requirements

| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Structural | Verify for new loads |
| Fire protection | Per new occupancy |
| Means of egress | Per new occupancy |
| Accessibility | Per new occupancy |
| Heights/areas | Verify compliance |

### Structural Load Changes

| From → To | Requirement |
|-----------|-------------|
| Lower to higher LL | Structural upgrade |
| Office to assembly | Verify capacity |
| Storage to occupied | Verify capacity |
| Any to I-2 | Seismic evaluation |

### Fire Protection Changes

| New Occupancy | Sprinkler Required If |
|---------------|----------------------|
| A (>300 occ) | Not currently provided |
| E | Not currently provided |
| I | Not currently provided |
| R-1 | Not currently provided |
| High-rise | Not currently provided |

### Accessibility (Change of Occupancy)
- **Path of travel**: To altered area
- **Toilet rooms**: Make accessible
- **Parking**: Per new occupancy load
- **Signage**: Per current code

---

## Additions (Chapter 10)

### Definition
Increase in building area, aggregate floor area, or height

### Requirements

| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| New construction | Current code |
| Existing building | Unaffected unless... |
| Structural | Connection adequate |
| Fire separation | Between new and existing |

### When Existing Building Affected

| Condition | Existing Building Impact |
|-----------|-------------------------|
| Shared egress | Evaluate capacity |
| Structural loads | Verify existing capacity |
| Fire separation inadequate | Upgrade separation |
| Creates noncompliance | Address deficiency |

### Additions in Flood Zones (Florida)
- **New addition**: Full flood compliance
- **Existing structure**: May trigger SI/SD evaluation
- **Connection**: Protected to same level

### Additions - Wind (Florida)
- **New addition**: Current wind code
- **Connection**: Designed for load path
- **Existing roof**: May trigger upgrades at connection

---

## Historic Buildings (Chapter 11)

### Definition
- Listed on National/State Register
- Designated by local preservation ordinance
- Eligible for listing

### Compliance Alternatives
- May use alternative methods
- Maintain historic character
- Document equivalency

### Fire Safety Alternatives
| Element | Alternative |
|---------|-------------|
| Automatic sprinklers | May substitute detection + suppression |
| Stair enclosure | May use alternative protection |
| Interior finish | May retain with documentation |

### Accessibility in Historic
- Provide accessible route where feasible
- Alternative methods permitted
- Threaten/destroy test applies
- Document why standard compliance not feasible

---

## Relocated Buildings (Chapter 12)

### Requirements
- **Comply with**: New building code for new location
- **Structural**: Evaluate for new site conditions
- **Wind/seismic**: Per new location
- **Flood**: Per new location

### Florida Considerations
- Wind zone may change
- Flood zone may change
- Product approvals may be needed

---

## Performance Compliance (Chapter 14)

### Evaluation Process
1. **Safety parameters**: List all code elements
2. **Existing score**: Evaluate current condition
3. **Proposed score**: Evaluate after work
4. **Comparison**: Must equal or exceed existing

### Safety Parameters
| Category | Elements |
|----------|----------|
| Fire safety | Construction type, fire protection, compartmentation |
| Means of egress | Exits, capacity, configuration |
| General safety | Structural, accessibility, energy |

### When to Use
- Complex existing buildings
- Historic preservation
- When prescriptive too restrictive
- Multiple work types combined

---

## Florida-Specific Provisions

### Substantial Improvement (SI)

**Definition**: Cost ≥ 50% of market value

| Zone | SI Trigger |
|------|------------|
| V, VE | Full V-zone construction |
| A, AE | Elevation to DFE |
| Coastal A | V-zone methods |

### Substantial Damage (SD)

**Definition**: Damage ≥ 50% of market value

| Damage Type | Requirement |
|-------------|-------------|
| Flood | Full flood compliance |
| Wind | May trigger wind upgrades |
| Fire | Per damage extent |

### Cumulative Tracking
Some Florida jurisdictions track improvements over:
- 5-year period
- 10-year period
- Life of building

### Wind Upgrades

| Condition | Wind Requirement |
|-----------|------------------|
| Reroof > 50% | Current wind code |
| Roof replacement | Current attachments |
| Window replacement | Current wind rating |
| Addition | Current wind code |

### Product Approval
- Required for regulated products
- Even in repair/replacement
- Florida Product Approval or NOA (HVHZ)

---

## Accessibility Triggers

### When Required

| Work Type | Accessibility Requirement |
|-----------|--------------------------|
| Alteration | Altered elements accessible |
| Primary function alteration | Path of travel (25% cap) |
| Change of occupancy | Per new occupancy |
| Addition | New addition accessible |

### Path of Travel Elements
When primary function area altered (cost > $0):
1. Accessible entrance
2. Accessible route to altered area
3. Accessible restrooms (serving area)
4. Telephones (if provided)
5. Drinking fountains (if provided)

**25% Cost Cap**: Path of travel costs capped at 25% of alteration cost

### Disproportionality
If path of travel exceeds 25%:
- Prioritize improvements
- Document decisions
- Phase over time

---

## Permits and Documentation

### Required Submittals

| Work Type | Documentation |
|-----------|---------------|
| Repair | Scope of work, materials |
| Alteration L1 | Plans, specifications |
| Alteration L2 | Plans, calculations, code analysis |
| Alteration L3 | Full analysis, structural evaluation |
| Change of occupancy | Code analysis, load evaluation |
| Addition | Full construction documents |

### Code Analysis Contents
1. Existing building description
2. Proposed work description
3. Work category determination
4. Code requirements triggered
5. Compliance approach
6. Deferred submittals (if any)

### Inspections
- Per new work requirements
- Special inspections (if required)
- Structural (when evaluation required)

---

## Quick Checklists

### Repair Project
- [ ] Scope of repair defined
- [ ] Materials specified (current code)
- [ ] No reduction in compliance
- [ ] 30% value check
- [ ] Substantial damage check (if applicable)
- [ ] Product approvals (Florida)

### Alteration Level 1
- [ ] Elements identified
- [ ] Replacement to current code
- [ ] Product approvals (exterior)
- [ ] No accessibility triggered (verify)
- [ ] Reroofing requirements (if applicable)

### Alteration Level 2
- [ ] Work area calculated
- [ ] 50% threshold checked
- [ ] Fire protection evaluation
- [ ] Egress evaluation
- [ ] Accessibility path of travel
- [ ] Structural verification

### Alteration Level 3
- [ ] Aggregate area calculated (>50%)
- [ ] Full structural evaluation
- [ ] Fire protection building-wide
- [ ] Egress building-wide
- [ ] Accessibility building-wide
- [ ] Systems evaluation

### Change of Occupancy
- [ ] New occupancy determined
- [ ] Load changes evaluated
- [ ] Fire protection per new use
- [ ] Egress per new use
- [ ] Accessibility per new use
- [ ] Height/area verified

### Flood Zone Work
- [ ] Flood zone verified
- [ ] BFE/DFE determined
- [ ] Substantial improvement calc
- [ ] Substantial damage check
- [ ] Elevation requirements
- [ ] Documentation for NFIP

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*Reference: Florida Building Code - Existing Building 7th Edition (2023)*
*Florida amendments add wind, flood, and product approval requirements*
*Always verify with local AHJ for amendments*
