FYI: (not an all-inclusive list)

Significant Changes to the Florida Building Code - Residential

1. TABLE R301.5 MINIMUM UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LIVE LOADS
(in pounds per square foot)

USE LIVE LOAD
Attics with limited storage (b, g, h) 20
Attics without storage (b) 10
Guardrails in–fill components 50i

b. Attics without storage are those where the maximum clear height between joist and rafter is less than 42 inches, or where there are not two or more adjacent trusses with the same web configuration capable of containing a rectangle 42 inches high by 2 feet wide, or greater, located within the plane of the truss. For attics without storage, this live load need not be assumed to act
concurrently with any other live load requirements.

g. For attics with limited storage and constructed with trusses, this live load need be applied only to those portions of the bottom chord where there are two or more adjacent trusses with the same web configuration capable of containing a rectangle 42 inches high or greater by 2 feet wide or greater, located within the plane of the truss. The rectangle shall fit between the top of the bottom chord and the bottom of any other truss member, provided that each of the following criteria is met:
1. The attic area is accessible by a pull-down stairway or framed opening in accordance with Section R807.1; and
2. The truss has a bottom chord pitch less than 2:12.

h. Attic spaces served by a fixed stair shall be designed to support the minimum live load specified for sleeping rooms.

i. Glazing used in handrail assemblies and guards shall be designed with a safety factor of 4. The safety factor shall be applied to each of the concentrated loads applied to the top of the rail, and to the load on the in-fill components. These loads shall be determined independent of one another, and loads are assumed not to occur with any other live load.

2. R302.1 Exterior walls. Construction, projections, openings and penetrations of exterior walls of dwellings and accessory buildings shall comply with Table R302.1. These provisions shall not apply to walls, projections, openings or penetrations in walls that are perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance. Projections beyond the exterior wall shall not extend more than 12 inches (305 mm) into the areas where openings are prohibited.
Exceptions:
1. Detached tool sheds and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures exempted from permits are not required to provide wall protection based on location on the lot. Projections beyond the exterior wall shall not extend over the lot line.
2. Detached garages accessory to a dwelling located within 2 feet (610 mm) of a lot line are permitted to have roof eave projections not exceeding 4 inches (102 mm).
3. Foundation vents installed in compliance with this code are permitted.
4. Openings and roof overhang projections shall be permitted on the exterior wall of a building located on a zero lot line when the building exterior wall is separated from an adjacent building exterior wall by a distance of 6 feet or more, and the roof overhang projection is separated from an adjacent building projection of 4 feet or more, with 1 hour fire resistive construction on the underside of the overhang required, unless the separation between projections is 6 feet or more.

3. R309.2 Separation required. The garage shall be separated from the residence and its attic area by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7mm) gypsum board applied to the garage side. Garages beneath habitable rooms shall be separated from all habitable rooms above by not less than 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board or equivalent. Where the separation is a floor-ceiling assembly, the structure supporting the separation shall also be protected by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board or equivalent. Garages located less than 3 feet (914 mm) from a dwelling unit on the same lot shall be protected with not less than 1/2-inch (12.7mm) gypsum board applied to the interior side of exterior walls that are within this area. Openings in these walls shall be regulated by SectionR309.1. This provision does not apply to garage walls that are perpendicular to the adjacent dwelling unit wall.

4. R311.6.1 Maximum slope. Ramps shall have a maximum slope of one unit vertical in twelve units horizontal (8.3-percent slope).

Exception: Where it is technically infeasible to comply because of site constraints, ramps may have a maximum slope of one unit vertical in eight horizontal (12.5 percent slope).

5. R313 SMOKEand CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS

R313.4 Carbon monoxide protection. Every building for which a permit for new construction is issued having a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage shall have an operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within 10 feet of each room used for sleeping purposes.

R313.4.1 Power Source. In new construction, alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring when such wiring is served from the local power utility. Such alarms shall have battery backup.

R313.4.2 Combination alarms. Combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed or labeled by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.

6. R317.1 Two-Family Dwellings

Exception: 2. Wall assemblies need not extend through attic spaces when the ceiling is protected by not less than 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board and an attic draft
stop constructed as specified in Section R502.1.2.1 is provided above and along the wall assembly separating the dwellings. The structural framing supporting the ceiling shall also be protected by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board or equivalent.

7. R404.5 Retaining walls. Retaining walls that are not laterally supported at the top and that retain in excess of 24 inches (610mm) of unbalanced fill shall be designed to ensure stability
against overturning, sliding, excessive foundation pressure and water uplift. Retaining walls shall be designed for a safety factor of 1.5 against lateral sliding and overturning.

8. R506.2.4 Reinforcement support. Where provided in slabs on ground, reinforcement shall be supported to remain in place from the center to upper one third of the slab for the duration of the concrete placement.

9. R613.1 General. This section prescribes performance and construction requirements for exterior window systems installed in wall systems. Windows shall be installed and flashed
in accordance with the manufacturer’s written installation instructions. Written installation instructions shall be provided by the manufacturer for each window.

10. R613.2 Window sills. In dwelling units, where the opening of an operable window is located more than 72 inches (1829 mm) above the finished grade or surface below, the lowest part of the
clear opening of the window shall be a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) above the finished floor of the room in which the window is located. Glazing between the floor and 24 inches (610 mm) shall be fixed or have openings through which a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere cannot pass.

Exceptions:
1. Windows whose openings will not allow a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere to pass through the opening when the opening is in its largest opened position.
2. Openings that are provided with window guards that comply with ASTM F 2006 or F 2090.

11. R613.4.5 Garage door labeling. Garage doors shall be labeled with a permanent label provided by the manufacturer. The label shall identify the manufacturer, the garage door
model/series number, the positive and negative design pressure rating, indicate impact rated if applicable, the installation instruction drawing reference number, the Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade Product Approval number if applicable, and the applicable test standards.

The required garage door components for an approved garage door assembly may be indicated using a checklist format on the label. If a checklist format is used on the label, the installer or manufacturer shall mark the selected components on the checklist that are required to assemble an approved garage door system.

The installation instructions shall be provided and available on the job site.

12. SECTION R615 IMPACT-RESISTANT COVERINGS

R615.1 Impact-resistant coverings. Impact-resistant coverings shall be tested at 1.5 times the design pressure (positive or negative) expressed in pounds per square feet as determined by
Section 1609 of the Florida Building Code, Building for which the specimen is to be tested. Impact-resistant coverings shall be labeled in accordance with the provisions of Section R615.2.

R615.2 Labels.

R615.2.1 Permanent label required. A permanent label shall be provided by the product approval holder on all impact-resistant coverings.
R615.2.2 Information required on label. The following information shall be included on the labels on impact-resistant coverings:
1. Product approval holder name and address.
2. All applicable methods of approval. Methods of approval include, but, are not limited to Miami-Dade NOA; Florida Building Commission, TDI Product Evaluation; ICC-ES.
3. The test standard or standards specified in Section R301.2.1.2, including standards referenced within the test standards specified in Section R301.2.1.2 used to demonstrate code compliance.
4. For products with a Florida Product Approval Number or a Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office Notice of Acceptance Number (NOA), such numbers shall be included on the label.

R615.2.3 Location of label. The location of the label on the impact-resistant covering shall be as follows:
1. Accordions: Bottom of the locking bar or center mate facing the exterior or outside.
2. Rollup: On the bottom of the hood facing the exterior or outside or on the bottom slat facing the exterior or outside.
3. Bahama Awning or Colonial Hinged: On the bottom, placed on the back of the shutter.
4. Panels: For metal and plastic panels the label may be embossed or printed spaced not more than every 3 lineal feet on each panel. The label shall be applied by the holder of the product approval and shall face the exterior or outside.
5. Framed products: The label shall be on the side or bottom facing the exterior or outside.
6. Labels on all other products shall face the exterior or outside.

R615.3 Installation. All impact-resistant coverings shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and in accordance with the product approval. Installation
instructions shall be provided and shall be available to inspection personnel on the job site. Opening protection components, fasteners, and other parts evaluated by an approved
product evaluation entity, certification agency, testing laboratory, architect, or engineer and approved by the holder of the product approval may be interchangeable in opening protection
assemblies, provided that the opening protection component(s) provide equal or greater structural performance and durability as demonstrated by testing in accordance with approved test standards.

13. R702.4.2 Cement, fiber-cement and glass mat gypsum backers.
Cement, fiber-cement or glass mat gypsum backers in compliance with ASTM C 1288, C 1325 or C 1178 and installed in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations shall be used as backers for wall tile in tub and shower areas and wall panels in shower areas.

14. R703.1 General. Exterior walls shall provide the building with a weather-resistant exterior wall envelope. The exterior wall envelope shall include flashing as described in Section R703.8.
The exterior wall envelope shall be designed and constructed in such a manner as to prevent the accumulation of water within the wall assembly by providing a water-resistive barrier behind
the exterior veneer as required by Section R703.2 and a means of draining water that enters the assembly to the exterior. Protection against condensation in the exterior wall assembly shall
be provided in accordance with Chapter 11 of this code.

Exceptions:
1. A weather-resistant exterior wall envelope shall not be required over concrete or masonry walls designed in accordance with Chapter 6 and flashed according to Section R703.7 or R703.8.
2. Compliance with the requirements for a means of drainage, and the requirements of Section R703.2 and Section R703.8, shall not be required for an exterior wall envelope that has been demonstrated to resist wind-driven rain through testing of the exterior wall envelope, including joints, penetrations and intersections with dissimilar materials, in accordance with ASTM E 331 under the following conditions:
2.1. Exterior wall envelope test assemblies shall include at least one opening, one control joint,
one wall/eave interface and one wall sill. All tested openings and penetrations shall be representative of the intended end-use configuration.
2.2. Exterior wall envelope test assemblies shall be at least 4 feet (1219 mm) by 8 feet (2438 mm) in size.
2.3. Exterior wall assemblies shall be tested at a minimum differential pressure of 6.24 pounds
per square foot (299 Pa).
2.4. Exterior wall envelope assemblies shall be subjected to a minimum test exposure duration of 2 hours.

The exterior wall envelope design shall be considered to resist wind-driven rain where the results of testing indicate that water did not penetrate: control joints in the exterior wall envelope; joints at the perimeter of openings penetration; or intersections of terminations with dissimilar materials.

15. R703.8 Flashing. Approved corrosion-resistant flashing shall be applied shingle-fashion in such a manner to prevent entry of water into the wall cavity or penetration of water to the building
structural framing components. The flashing shall extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish. Approved corrosion-resistant flashings shall be installed at all of the following locations:

1. Exterior window and door openings. Flashing at exterior window and door openings shall extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish or to the water-resistive barrier for subsequent drainage.

16. R806.1 Ventilation Required

Exception: Attic spaces, designed by a professional engineer or architect licensed to practice in the state, designed to eliminate the attic venting.

17. R806.4 Unvented attic assemblies. Unvented attic assemblies shall be permitted if all the following conditions are met:
1. The unvented attic space is completely contained within the building thermal envelope.
2. No interior vapor retarder is installed on the ceiling side (attic floor) of the unvented attic assembly.
3. Where wood shingles or shakes are used, a minimum continuous 1/4 inch (6 mm) vented air space separates the shingles or shakes from the roofing underlayment.
4. One of the following shall be met, depending on the air permeability of the insulation under the structural roof sheathing:
a. Air-impermeable insulation only. Insulation shall be applied in direct contact to the underside of the structural roof sheathing.
b. Air-permeable insulation only. In addition to air-permeable insulation installed directly below the structural sheathing, at least R-5 rigid board or sheet insulation shall be installed directly above the structural roof sheathing for condensation control.
c. Air-impermeable and air-permeable insulation. At least R-5 air-impermeable insulation shall be applied in direct contact to the underside of the structural roof sheathing for condensation control. The air-permeable insulation shall be installed directly under the air-impermeable insulation.

18. M1308.3 Foundations and supports. Foundations and supports for outdoor mechanical systems shall be raised at least 3 inches (76 mm) above the finished grade, and shall also conform to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

19. M1411.3.1 Auxiliary and secondary drain systems. In addition to the requirements of Section M1411.3, a secondary drain or auxiliary drain pan shall be required for each cooling or evaporator coil where damage to any building components will occur as a result of overflow from the equipment drain pan or stoppage in the condensate drain piping. Such piping shall maintain a minimum horizontal slope in the direction of discharge of not less than 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (1-percent slope). Drain piping shall be a minimum of 3/4-inch (19 mm) nominal pipe
size. One of the following methods shall be used:

4. A water level detection device conforming to UL 508 shall be provided that will shut off the equipment served in the event that the primary drain is blocked. The device shall be installed in the primary drain line, the overflow drain line or the equipment-supplied drain pan, located at a point higher than the primary drain line connection and below the overflow rim of such pan.

M1411.3.1.1 Water level monitoring devices. On down-flow units and all other coils that have no secondary drain and no means to install an auxiliary drain pan, a water-level monitoring device shall be installed inside the primary drain pan. This device shall shut off the equipment served in the event that the primary drain becomes restricted. Externally installed devices and devices installed in the drain line shall not be permitted.

20. M1411.4 Auxiliary drain pan. Category IV condensing appliances shall have an auxiliary drain pan where damage to any building component will occur as a result of stoppage in the
condensate drainage system. These pans shall be installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section M1411.3.

Exception: Fuel-fired appliances that automatically shut down operation in the event of a stoppage in the condensate drainage system.

21. M1501.1 Outdoor discharge. The air removed by every mechanical exhaust system shall be discharged to the outdoors. Air shall not be exhausted into an attic, soffit, ridge vent or crawl space.

Exception: Whole-house ventilation-type attic fans that discharge into the attic space of dwelling units having private attics shall be permitted.

22. M1502.6 Duct length. The maximum length of a clothes dryer exhaust duct shall not exceed 25 feet (7620 mm) from the dryer location to the wall or roof termination. The maximum length
of the duct shall be reduced 2.5 feet (762 mm) for each 45-degree (0.8 rad) bend and 5 feet (1524 mm) for each 90-degree (1.6 rad) bend. The maximum length of the exhaust duct does not include the transition duct.

Exceptions:
1. Where a clothes dryer booster fan is installed and listed and labeled for the application, the maximum length of the exhaust duct, including any transition duct, shall be permitted to be in accordance with the booster fan manufacturer’s installation instructions. Where a clothes dryer booster fan is installed and not readily accessible from the room in which the dryer is located, a permanent identifying label shall be placed adjacent to where the exhaust duct enters the wall. The label shall bear the words “This dryer exhaust system is equipped with a remotely located booster fan.”
2. Where the make and model of the clothes dryer to be installed is known and the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the dryer are provided to the building official, the maximum length of the exhaust duct, including any transition duct, shall be permitted to be in accordance with the dryer manufacturer’s installation instructions.
3. Where large-radius 45-degree (0.8 rad) and 90-degree (1.6 rad) bends are installed, determination of the equivalent length of clothes dryer exhaust duct for each bend by engineering calculation in accordance with the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook shall be permitted.

23. M1507.2 Recirculation of air. Exhaust air from bathrooms and toilet rooms shall not be recirculated within a residence or to another dwelling unit and shall be exhausted directly to the
outdoors. Exhaust air from bathrooms and toilet rooms shall not discharge into an attic, crawl space or other areas inside the building.

24. G2404.10 (307.5) Auxiliary drain pan. Category IV condensing appliances shall be provided with an auxiliary drain pan where damage to any building component will occur as a result of stoppage in the condensate drainage system. Such pan shall be installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section M1411.

Exception: An auxiliary drain pan shall not be required for appliances that automatically shut down operation in the event of a stoppage in the condensate drainage system.

25. G2415.1 (404.1) Prohibited locations. Piping shall not be installed in or through a circulating air duct, clothes chute, chimney or gas vent, ventilating duct, dumbwaiter or elevator shaft. Piping installed downstream of the point of delivery shall not extend through any townhouse unit other than the unit served by such piping.

26. P2708.1 General. Shower compartments shall have at least 900 square inches (0.6 m2) of interior cross-sectional area. Shower compartments shall be not less than 30 inches (762mm) in minimum dimension measured from the finished interior dimension of the shower compartment, exclusive of fixture valves, shower heads, soap dishes, and safety grab bars or rails. The minimum required area and dimension shall be measured from the finished interior dimension at a height equal to the top of the threshold and at a point tangent to its centerline and shall be continued to a height of not less than 70 inches (1778 mm) above the shower drain outlet. Hinged shower doors shall open outward. The wall area above built-in tubs having installed shower heads and in shower compartments shall be constructed in accordance with Section R702.4. Such walls shall form a water-tight joint with each other and with either the tub, receptor or shower floor.

Exceptions:
2. Shower compartments having not less than 25 inches (635 mm) in minimum dimension measured from the finished interior dimension of the compartment provided that the shower compartment has a minimum of 1,300 square inches (0.838m2) of cross-sectional area.

P2708.1.1 Access. The shower compartment access and egress opening shall have a minimum clear and unobstructed finished width of 22 inches (559 mm).

27. P2713.3 Bathtub and whirlpool bathtub valves. The hot water supplied to bathtubs and whirlpool bathtubs shall be limited to a maximum temperature of 120°F (49°C) by a water temperature-limiting device that conforms to ASSE 1070, except where such protection is otherwise provided by a combination tub/shower valve in accordance with Section P2708.3.

28. P2903.4 Thermal expansion control. A means for controlling increased pressure caused by thermal expansion shall be installed where required in accordance with Sections P2903.4.1 and P2903.4.2.

P2903.4.1 Pressure-reducing valve. For water service system sizes up to and including 2 inches (51 mm), a device for controlling pressure shall be installed where, because of
thermal expansion, the pressure on the downstream side of a pressure-reducing valve exceeds the pressure-reducing valve setting.

P2903.4.2 Backflow prevention device or check valve. Where a backflow prevention device, check valve or other device is installed on a water supply system using storage water heating equipment such that thermal expansion causes an increase in pressure, a device for controlling pressure shall be installed.

29. P3003.3 ABS plastic. Joints between ABS plastic pipe or fittings shall comply with Sections P3003.3.1 through P3003.3.3.

P3003.3.1 Mechanical joints. Mechanical joints on drainage pipes shall be made with an elastomeric seal conforming to ASTM C 1173, ASTM D 3212 or CSA B602.Mechanical joints shall be installed only in underground systems unless otherwise approved. Joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

P3003.3.2 Solvent cementing. Joint surfaces shall be clean and free from moisture. Solvent cement that conforms to ASTM D 2235 or CSA B181.1 shall be applied to all joint surfaces. The joint shall be made while the cement is wet. Joints shall be made in accordance with ASTM D 2235, ASTM D 2661, ASTM F 628 or CSA B181.1. Solvent cement joints shall be permitted above or below ground.

P3003.3.3 Threaded joints. Threads shall conform to ASME B1.20.1. Schedule 80 or heavier pipe shall be permitted to be threaded with dies specifically designed for plastic pipe. Approved thread lubricant or tape shall be applied on the male threads only.

P3003.4 Asbestos-cement. Joints between asbestos-cement pipe or fittings shall be made with a sleeve coupling of the same composition as the pipe, sealed with an elastomeric ring conforming to ASTM D 1869.

P3003.5 Brass. Joints between brass pipe or fittings shall comply with Sections P3003.5.1 through P3003.5.3.

P3003.5.1 Brazed joints. All joint surfaces shall be cleaned. An approved flux shall be applied where required. The joint shall be brazed with a filler metal conforming toAWSA5.8.

P3003.5.2 Mechanical joints. Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

P3003.5.3 Threaded joints. Threads shall conform to ASMEB1.20.1. Pipe-joint compound or tape shall be applied on the male threads only.

30. P3105.2 Fixture drains. The total fall in a fixture drain resulting from pipe slope shall not exceed one pipe diameter, nor shall the vent pipe connection to a fixture drain, except for water closets, be below the weir of the trap.

31. P3201.6 Number of fixtures per trap. Each plumbing fixture shall be separately trapped by a water seal trap. The vertical distance from the fixture outlet to the trap weir shall not exceed 24 inches (610 mm) and the horizontal distance shall not exceed 30 inches (762 mm) measured from the center line of the fixture outlet to the centerline of the inlet of the trap. The height of a clothes washer standpipe above a trap shall conform to Section P2706.2. Fixtures shall not be double trapped.

32. E3304 Equipotential Bonding (Use the 2008 NEC – Section 680.26)

_________________________
Bryan Holland, ECO.
CBO, Inspector, Plans Examiner
Secretary - IAEI Florida Chapter