Notice of Change
2004 Florida Building Code, Residential
May 4, 2004

Chapter 1, Administration

Section R101 Title, Scope and Purpose

Revise Section R101 to read as follows:

R101.2 Scope.  The provisions of the Florida Building Code, Residential shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal and demolition of detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures.  Construction standards or practices which are not covered by this code shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Florida Building Code, Building.
Exception: Existing buildings undergoing repair, alteration or additions, and change of occupancy shall be permitted to comply with the Florida Existing Building Code.

Chapter 2 Definitions

Section R202 Definitions

Revise the definition below to read as follows:

Townhouse.  A single-family dwelling unit constructed in a group of three or more attached units with property lines separating each unit in which each unit extends from foundation to roof and with open space on at least two sides.

Chapter 3 Building Planning

Section R301 Design Criteria

Revise Section R301.2.1.1 Design criteria to read as follows:

R301.2.1.1 Design criteria.  Construction in regions where the basic wind speeds from Figure R301.2(4) equal or exceed 110 miles per hour (117.1 km/h) shall be designed in accordance with one of the following except as allowed in the specific chapters of this code.

Delete the second and last items in Section R301.2.1.1 and renumber the items.

Add new Section R301.2.1.1.1 Design to read as follows:

R301.2.1.1.1 Design.  The following design guide shall be accepted as conforming to accepted engineering practices:  
AAF Guide to Aluminum Construction in High-Wind Areas.

Revise note c. of Table R301.2(1) to read as follows:

c.  The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with Avery heavy@ Amoderate to heavy@, Aslight to moderate@ or Anone to slight@ in accordance with Figure R301.2(6) depending on whether there has been a history of local damage.

Revise Section R301.2.1.2 Internal pressure to read as follows:

R301.2.1.2 Internal pressure.  Windows in buildings located in windborne debris regions shall have glazed openings protected from windborne debris or the building shall be designed as a partially enclosed building in accordance the Florida Building Code, Building.  Glazed opening protection for windborne debris shall meet the requirements of the Large Missile Test of ASTM E 1996 and of ASTM E 1886, SSTD 12, or Miami-Dade PA TAS 201, TAS 202 and TAS 203 referenced therein.

(1) Openings in sunrooms, balconies or enclosed porches constructed under existing roofs or decks are not required to be protected provided the spaces are separated from the building interior by a wall and all openings in the separating wall are protected in accordance with this section.  Such space shall be permitted to be designed as on either partially enclosed or enclosed structures.

(2) Storage sheds that are not designed for human habitation and that have a floor area of 720 square feet or less are not required to comply with the mandatory windborne debris impact standards of this code.

Replace Table R301.2.1.2 with Table 1606.4 of the 2001 Florida Building Code, Building.

Add new Section R301.2.1.5 Basic wind speed to read as follows:

R301.2.1.5 Basic wind speed.  The basic wind speed in miles per hour, for the development of wind loads, shall be determined from Figure R301.2(4).  Basic wind speed for the special wind regions indicated, near mountainous terrain and near gorges shall be in accordance with local jurisdiction requirements.  The exact location of wind speed lines shall be established by local ordinance using recognized physical landmarks such as major roads, canals, rivers and lake shores, wherever possible.

Add new Section R301.2.5 Structures seaward of a Coastal Construction Line to read as follows:

R301.2.5 Structures seaward of a Coastal Construction Line.  Structures located seaward of the coastal construction line shall be designed to resist the predicted forces of a 100-year storm event in accordance with Section 3109 of the Florida Building Code, Building.

Delete Table R301.2(4).

Section R302 Location on Lot

Delete the second exception from R302.1 Exterior walls.

Section R317 Dwelling Unit Separation

Revise Section R317.2 Townhouses to read as follows:

R317.2 Townhouses.  Each townhouse shall be considered a separate building and shall be separated by fire-resistance-rated wall assemblies meeting the requirements of Section R302 for exterior walls with zero clearance from property lines.

Revise Section R317.2.2 Parapets, to replace 30 inches with 18 inches.

Revise Section R317.2.3 Parapet construction, to replace 30 inches with 18 inches.

Section R323 Flood Resistant Construction

Put Section R323 Flood Resistant Construction back into the code to read as follows.

R323 Structures seaward of a Coastal Construction Line.  Structures located seaward of the coastal construction line shall be designed to resist the predicted forces of a 100-year storm event in accordance with Section 3109 of the Florida Building Code, Building.

Chapter 4 Foundations

Section R401 General

Revise Section R401.1 Application to read as follows:

R401.1 Application.  The provisions of this chapter shall control the design and construction of the foundation and foundation spaces for all buildings.  Wood foundations shall be designed and installed in accordance with AF&PA Report No. 7.  The provisions of this chapter are limited to regions where the basic wind speeds are less than 110 mph except if otherwise allowed by specific sections of this chapter.

Chapter 5 Floors

Section R501 General

Revise Section R501.1 Application to read as follows:

Section R501.1 Application. The provisions of this chapter shall control the design and construction of the floors for all buildings including the floors of attic spaces used to house mechanical and/or plumbing fixtures and equipment.  The provisions of this chapter are limited to regions where the basic wind speeds are less than 110 mph except if otherwise permitted by specific sections of this chapter.

Section R503 Floor Sheathing

Add a footnote to Table R503.2.1.1(1) to read as follows:

i.  In no case shall any roof sheathing be less than 32/16 span index, 19/23 in wood structural panel for spans, or 16 inches or more on center in wind speed regions of 100-140 mph.  Exposure B roof sheathing span rating and panel thickness highlighted in the Table shall not be permitted where wind speeds exceed 100 mph.

Chapter 6 Wall Construction

Section R601 General

Revise Section R601.1 Application, to add text to read as follows:

R601.1 Application.  The provisions of this chapter shall control the design and construction of all walls and partitions for all buildings.  The provisions of this chapter are limited to regions where the basic wind speeds are less than 110 mph except if otherwise permitted by specific sections of this chapter.

Section R606 General Masonry Construction

Revise Section R606.2.4 Parapet walls to read as follows:

R606.2.4 Parapet walls.....Masonry parapets in areas subject to wind loads of 30 pounds per square foot (1.44.kN/m2) shall be reinforced in accordance with ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 Section R606.11.

Chapter 7 Wall Covering

Section R701 General

Revise Section R701.1 Application to read as follows:

R701.1 Application.  The provisions of this chapter shall control the design and construction of the interior and exterior wall covering for all buildings.  The provisions of this chapter are limited to regions where the basic wind speeds are less than 110 mph except if otherwise allowed by specific sections of this chapter.

Chapter 8 Roof-Ceiling Construction

Section R801 General

Revise Section R801.1 Application to read as follows:

R801.1 Application.  The provisions of this chapter shall control the design and construction of the roof-ceiling system for all buildings.  The provisions of this chapter are limited to regions where the basic wind speeds are less than 110 mph except if otherwise allowed by specific sections of this chapter.

Section R802 Wood Roof Framing

Retain Table R802.2.5.1(9) with following snow load modifications: Delete columns for snow loads of 50 psf and 70 psf.  Delete the reference to AGround Snow Loads.  Delete the reference to 30 psf ground snow load.

Chapter 9 Roof Assemblies

Section R901 General

Revise Section R901.1 Scope to read as follows:

R901.1 Scope.  The provisions of this chapter shall govern the design, materials, construction and quality of roof assemblies.  The provisions of this chapter are limited to regions where the basic wind speeds are less than 110 mph except if otherwise allowed by specific sections of this chapter.

Chapter 12 Mechanical Administration

Section M1202 Existing Mechanical Systems

Revise Section M1202.1 Additions, alterations or repairs to read as follows:

M1202.1 Additions, alterations or repairs.  See the Florida Existing Building Code. [delete the remaining portion of the section.]

Chapter 24, Fuel Gas

Section G2403 (202) General Definitions

Revise the definitions for Regulator, and Riser Gas to read as follows:

Regulator   A device for controlling and maintaining a uniform gas supply pressure, either pounds to pounds, pounds-to-inches water column (MP regulator) or inches-to-inches water column (applicance regulator).

Riser, Gas.  A vertical pipe supplying fuel gas to a meter assembly or a pressure regulator.

Section G2404, General

Revise Section G2404.2 (301.1.1) Other Fuels to read as follows:

G2404.2 (301.1.1) Other Fuels.  The requirements for combustion and dilution air for gas-fired appliances shall be governed by Section G2407.  The requirements for combustion and dilution air for appliances operating with fuels other than fuel gas shall be regulated by Chapter 17.  This chapter shall apply to the installation of fuel gas piping systems, fuel gas utilization equipment, and related accessories as follows:
1. Coverage of piping systems shall extend from the point of delivery to the connections with gas utilization equipment. (See "point of delivery".)
2. Systems with an operating pressure of 125 psig (862 kPa gauge) or less.
Piping systems for gas-air mixtures within the flammable range with an operating pressure of 10 psig (69 kPa gauge).
LP-Gas piping systems with an operating pressure of 20 psig (140 kPa gauge) or less.
3. Piping systems requirements shall include design, materials, components, fabrication, assembly, installation, testing, inspection, operation, and maintenance.
4. Requirements for gas utilization equipment and related accessories shall include installation, combustion, and ventilation air and venting.
This code shall not apply to the following:
1. Portable LP-Gas equipment of all types that are not connected to a fixed fuel piping system.
2. Installation of farm equipment such as brooders, dehydrators, dryers, and irrigation equipment.
3. Raw material (feedstock) applications except for piping to special atmosphere generators.
4. Oxygen-fuel gas cutting and welding systems.
5. Industrial gas applications using gases such as acetylene and acetylenic compounds, hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitrogen.
6. Petroleum refineries, pipeline compressor or pumping stations, loading terminals, compounding plants, refinery tank farms, and natural gas processing plants
7. Integrated chemical plants or portions of such plants where flammable or combustible liquids or gases are produced by chemical reactions or used in chemical reactions.
8. LP-Gas installations at utility gas plants.
9. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) installations.
10. Fuel gas piping in power and atomic energy plants.
11. Proprietary items of equipment, apparatus, or instruments such as gas generating sets, compressors, and calorimeters.
12. LP-Gas equipment for vaporization, gas mixing, and gas manufacturing.
13. Temporary LP-Gas piping for buildings under construction or renovation that is not to become part of the permanent piping system.
14. Installation of LP-Gas systems for railroad switch heating.
15. Installation of LP-Gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) systems on vehicles.

16. Gas piping, meters, gas pressure regulators, and other appurtenances used by the serving gas supplier in the distribution of gas, other than undiluted LP-Gas.
17. Building design and construction, except as specified herein.

Section 2410, Electrical (309)

Revise Section G2410.1 to read as follows:

G2410.1 (FG309.1) Electrical bonding and grounding. Each aboveground portion of a gas piping system upstream from the equipment shutoff valve shall be electrically continuous and bonded to any grounding electrode, as defined by Chapter 33. Gas piping shall not be used as a grounding electrode.

Section 2412 (401), General

Revise Section 2412.2 to read as follows:

G2412.2 (401.2) Liquefied petroleum gas storage. The storage system (container, regulators, piping and all components upstream to the point of delivery) for liquefied petroleum gas shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code and NFPA 58. The storage system for liquefied petroleum gas shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code and NFPA 58.

Revise G2412.5 to add text as shown below:

G2412.5 (401.5) Identification. For other than black steel pipe, exposed piping shall be identified by a yellow label marked AGas@ in black letters. The marking shall be spaced at intervals not exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm). The marking shall not be required on pipe located in the same room as the equipment served.  
Exception: This section shall only apply where other similar piping or tubing in the same general area as the gas lines, containing a different medium, could be confused with the gas lines.

Section G2414 (403), Pipe Materials 
 
Revise Section G2415.14.3 to read as follows:

G2415.14.3 (404.14.3) Tracer. An insulated copper tracer wire or other approved conductor shall be installed adjacent to underground nonmetallic gas piping. Access shall be provided to the tracer wire or the tracer wire shall terminate above ground at each end of the nonmetallic gas piping. The tracer wire size shall not be less than 18 AWG and the insulation type shall be suitable for direct burial. For other than black steel pipe, exposed gas piping shall be identified by a yellow label marked AGas@ in black letters. The marking shall be spaced at intervals not exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm). The marking shall not be required on pipe located in the same room as the equipment served.
Exception: This section shall only apply where other similar piping or tubing in the same general area as the gas lines, containing a different medium, could be confused with the gas lines.

Section G2417 (406), Inspection, Testing and Purging

Revise Section G2417.3.4 to read as follows:

G2417.3.4 (406.3.4) Valve isolation. Where the piping system is connected to equipment or components designed for operating pressures of less than the test pressure, such equipment or components shall be isolated from the piping system by disconnecting them and plugging or capping the outlet(s). equal to or greater than the test pressure, such equipment shall be isolated from the piping system by closing the individual equipment shutoff valve(s).

Revise Section G2417.7.4 to read as follows:

G2417.7.4 (406.7.4) Placing equipment in operation. After the piping has been placed in operation, all equipment shall be placed in operation, as per its listing and the manufacturer=s instructions. purged and then placed in operation, as necessary.

Chapter 25, Plumbing Administration 

Delete Section P2502 and defer to the Florida Existing Building Code.

Chapter 28, Water Heaters 

Section P2801 , General

Revise Section P2801.5 to read as follows:

P2801.5 Required pan. Where water heaters or hot water storage tanks are installed above the ground floor space, in attics or ceiling areas, or within the habitable space, the tanks or water heater shall be installed in a galvanized steel or other metal pan of equal corrosion resistance having a minimum thickness of 24 gage, 0.0276 inch (0.70 mm). Electric water heaters shall be installed in a metal pan as herein required or in a high-impact plastic pan of at least 0.0625 inch (1.59 mm) thickness.

Section P2803, Relief Valves

Revise Section P2803.6.1 to read as follows:

P2803.6.1 (504.6.1) Requirements of discharge pipe. The outlet of a pressure relief valve, temperature relief valve or other relief valve combination thereof, shall not be directly connected to the drainage system.  The relief valve shall discharge full size to a safe place of disposal such as the floor, water heater pan, outside the building or an indirect waste receptor. The discharge pipe shall not have any trapped sections and shall have a visible air gap or air gap fitting located in the same room as the water heater. The discharge shall be installed in a manner that does not cause personal injury to occupants in the immediate area or structural damage to the building. The discharge from the relief valve shall be piped full size separately to the floor, to the outside of the building or to an indirect waste receptor located inside the building. In areas subject to freezing, the relief valve shall discharge through an air gap into an indirect waste receptor located within a heated space, or by other approved means. The discharge shall be installed in a manner that does not cause personal injury or property damage and that is readily observable by the building occupants. The discharge from a relief valve shall not be trapped. The diameter of the discharge piping shall not be less than the diameter of the relief valve outlet. The discharge pipe shall be installed so as to drain by gravity flow and shall terminate atmospherically not more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor. The outlet end of the discharge pipe shall not have a valve installed.

Chapter 29, Water Supply and Distribution 

Section P2903, Water-Supply System

Revise Section P2903.1 to read as follows:

P2903.1 Water supply system design criteria. The water service and water distribution systems shall be designed and pipe sizes shall be selected such that under conditions of peak demand, the capacities at the point of outlet discharge shall not be less than shown in Table P2903.1. Table P2903.2b3 shall be permitted to be used to size the water service or water distribution system.

Chapter 30, Sanitary Drainage 

Section 3003, Joints and Connections

Revise Section P3003.4.5 to delete P3003.4.5.1 and P3003.4.5.2.

P3003.4.5 Floor and wall drainage connections. Connections between the drain and the floor outlet plumbing fixtures shall be made with a floor flange. The flange shall be attached to the drain and anchored to the structure. Connections between the drain and wall-hung water closets shall be made with an approved extension nipple or horn adaptor. The water closet shall be bolted to the hanger with corrosion resistant bolts or screws. Joints shall be sealed with an approved elastometric gasket or setting compound conforming to FS-TT-P-15236a.

P3003.4.5.1 Floor flanges. Floor flanges for water closets or similar fixtures shall not be less than 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) thick for brass, 3 inch (6.4 mm) thick for plastic and 3 inch thick (6.4 mm) thick and not less than a 2 inch (51 mm) calking depth for cast iron or galvanized malleable iron. Floor flanges of hard lead shall weigh not less than 1 pound 9 ounces (0.7 kg) and shall be composed of lead alloy with not less than 7.75 percent antimony by weight. Closet screws and bolts shall be of brass. Flanges shall be secured to the building structure with corrosion resistant screws or bolts.

P3003.4.5.2  Securing floor and outlet fixtures. Floor outlet fixtures shall be secured to the floor or floor flanges by screws.

Chapter 31 Vents

Section P3103 Vent Terminals

Revise Section P3103.1 Roof extension to read as follows:

P3103.1 Roof extension.  All open vent pipes which extend through a roof shall be terminated at least 6 inches above the roof except that where a roof is to be used for any purpose other than weather protection, the vent extensions shall be run at least 7 feet (2134 mm) above the roof.

Chapter 41 Swimming Pools

Section R4101 Private Swimming Pools

Add the following definition:

Mesh safety barrier.  A combination of materials, including fabric, posts, and other materials to form a barrier around a swimming pool.

Chapter 44 High Velocity Hurricane Zones

Section R4403 High Velocity Hurricane Zones - General

Delete Section R4403.1.2.2 Sway forces in stadiums.

Section R4403.4 High Velocity Hurricane Zones - Minimum Loads

Revise Section R4403.4.1 Concentrated loads on trusses to read as follows:

R4403.4.1 Concentrated loads on trusses.  Any single panel point of the lower chord of roof trusses or any point of other primary structural members supporting roofs over manufacturing, commercial storage and warehousing, and commercial garage floors shall be capable of safely carrying a suspended, concentrated load of not less than 200 lb (896 N) 2000 lb (8896 N) in addition to dead load.  For all other occupancies, a minimum load of 200 lb (890 N) shall be used.

Delete Table R4403.

Section R4403.7 High Velocity Hurricane Zones - Special Load Combinations

Delete Section R4403.7.3 Helistops/Heliports.

Section R4403.13 High Velocity Hurricane Zones 
- Live Loads Posted and Occupancy Permits

Delete entire Section R4403.13.

Section R4405.8 High Velocity Hurricane Zones - Details of Reinforcement

Revise Section R4405.8.5.5 to delete the first item, renumber, and add a new item at the end.

R4405.8.5.5 For exterior balcony slabs, slab surface shall be sloped 1/8" unit in 12 or greater to safe guard against ponding of water and minimum concrete cover for negative moment reinforcement may be 1 inch (25 mm) for No. 5 bars and smaller, provided the following are satisfied:
1.  Slab surface shall be sloped 1 unit in 12 or greater to safeguard against ponding of water.
12.  Placement of slab reinforcement shall be under the supervision of a Florida Registered Architect or Professional Engineer.
23.  For concrete made with normal weight aggregate, the water-cement ratio shall not exceed 0.40 by weight.  For concrete made with lightweight aggregate, specified compressive strength of concrete fc shall not be less than 4750 psi (32.75 Mpa).
34.  For structures located in corrosive atmospheres such as along the coastal shore line, slab reinforcement shall be galvanized in accordance with Specifications for Zinc-Coated (galvanized) Bars for Concrete reinforcement, ASTM A 767.
5.  If minimum concrete cover for negative moment is at least 1-1/2" (37 mm), 1 to 4 are not required.

Section R4409.7 High Velocity Hurricane Zones - Firestops

Delete Sections R4409.7.3.1.1, R4409.7.3.1.2, R4409.7.3.2.1, and R4409.7.3.2.3.

Other changes include typos, correlations of sections within specific sub-codes and between sub-codes, relocation of sub-sections in appropriate sections, and referencing correct chapters or sub-codes.