Proposed Modification to the Florida Building Code

Modification #:				Section 553.73, Fla Stat

Name:	Eric Wasser							
Address:	1511 20th Ave North, Lake Worth, Fl. 33460
E-mail:	flawasser@aol.com						
Phone:	561-233-5389					
Fax:		561-233-5286
Code:		Florida Building				
Section #: 	711.3

Text of Modification [additions underlined; deletions stricken]:

711.3 Fire-resistance rating. 

The fire-resistance rating of floor and roof assemblies shall not be less than that required by the building type of construction. Where the floor assembly separates mixed occupancies, the assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than that required by Section 302.3.2 based on the occupancies being separated. Where the floor assembly separates a single occupancy into different fire areas, the assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than that required by Section 706.3.7. Floor assemblies separating tenant spaces not with within covered malls, dwelling units in the same building or sleeping units in occupancies in Group R-1, hotel occupancies, R-2 and I-1 shall be a minimum of 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. 

Exception: Dwelling unit and sleeping unit separations in buildings of Type IIB, IIIB, and VB construction shall have fire-resistance ratings of not less than ½ hour in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. 

Fiscal Impact Statement [Provide documentation of the costs and benefits of the proposed modifications to the code for each of the following entities.  Cost data should be accompanied by a list of assumptions and supporting documentation.  Explain expected benefits.]:

A.	Impact to local entity relative to enforcement of code: 
	Provides a clear intent that the Florida Building Code requires tenant separations to be both vertical, as referenced in Florida Building Code 708.1 and horizontal as clarified by this proposed modification. Eliminates non-uniform interpretations for providing tenant separations.

B.	Impact to building and property owners relative to cost of compliance with code: 
	No impact. The horizontal tenant separation was required by the 2001 Florida Building Code and previous additions of the Standard Building Code. Proposed modification only clarifies the original intent.

C.	Impact to industry relative to cost of compliance with code:
	No impact. The horizontal tenant separation was required by the 2001 Florida Building Code and previous additions of the Standard Building Code. Proposed modification only clarifies the original intent.

Rationale [Provide an explanation of why you would like this Proposed Modification to the Florida Building Code.]:
When Florida added the general tenant wall separation requirement of 708.1 #5 into the base ICC Building Code they did not coordinate it with other sections of the code. The horizontal tenant separation was required by the 2001 Florida Building Code and previous additions of the Standard Building Code. As a reference to the intent to have a complete vertical and horizontal tenant separation refer to the 1997 SBCCI Building Code Commentary to 704.3, Tenant fire separations. “The code requires a fire resistant separation when the separate tenant spaces are enclosed. “The separation includes partitions and floors or floor/ceiling assemblies.”

Please explain how the proposed modification meets the following requirements:
1.	Has a reasonable and substantial connection with the health, safety, and welfare of the general public: Provides a high degree of safety by clearly requiring a 1 hour tenant separation between tenants on different floors.

2.	Strengthens or improves the code, and provides equivalent or better products, methods, or systems of construction: Improves the code by clearly defining the complete envelope of a tenant separation.

3.	Does not discriminate against materials, products, methods, or systems of construction of demonstrated capabilities: Does not discriminate against materials, products, methods, or systems of construction of demonstrated capabilities.

4.	Does not degrade the effectiveness of the code: Provides for effective application of the code.

					

Section for DCA Only

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