FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION

Fire Technical Advisory Committee

AGENDA

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

10:30 A.M. –

Embassy Suites
3705 Spectrum Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33612

Tel: 1-813-977-7066  

Meeting Objectives:

  • To Review \Approve Agenda and October meeting minutes
  • To Consider/Decide on Declaratory Statements
  • To Consider issues from the public and Committee

1.  The TAC reviewed/approved agenda and minutes.

In attendance were: James Goodloe, Chair
Joe Belcher, Hamid Bahadori, Jeff Gross, Brad Schiffer, Tony Apfelbeck, and Jim Schock.  Staff present were Mo Madani and Joe Bigelow.

2.  Reviewed and provided recommendations to the Commission on the request for declaratory statements:

DCA08-DEC-289 by Glen Lathers, Hillsborough County Public Schools- w/Addendum

Committee Action:

Question One: Can a four hour fire wall be installed for building separation to reduce the building size to less than 20,000 square feet therefore not requiring the building to be fully sprinklered if approved by the AHJ”

 

Answer:  Yes, If the sections of the building separated by a fire wall in accordance with applicable sections in chapter 7 are less than 20,000 square feet, sprinklers are not required.

 

Question Two:  If the answer to the above is yes, would the four hour fire wall be required to have a parapet wall and would any penetrations be allowed?

 

Answer:  An answer is not possible because the question is overbroad.  However, The code requirements in sections 705.6 and 705.8 would apply as interpreted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

3.  Public Comment  Brad Schiffer expressed that there is a need to start reviewing Florida specific requirements for potentially sunsetting those that are already addressed by the International Code and to further harmonize the Florida Building Code with the Fire Prevention Code

4.  Member Comment

5.  Adjourn.