Phil Ammann
Florida Building Codes are in for a host of changes under a bill approved Wednesday by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government.
SB 704, sponsored by Elkton Republican state Sen. Travis Hutson, passed with a 5-1 vote. If enacted, the bill would make more than two dozen adjustments to Florida Building Codes.
According to LobbyTools, Hutson said he expects additional variations in the law, although he did not offer any amendments for the committee.
Under debate was a provision to give builders the option to comply with the energy code, which would include an alternative Energy Rating Index use to meet conservation demands under the code.
Testifying before the committee was Tarpon Springs Fire Chief Rick Butcher, LobbyTools reports, who spoke on behalf of the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association.
“We are concerned that there are provisions within the bill that will significantly diminish fire safety for the citizens as well as firefighters,” Butcher said.
He questioned another part of the proposal restricting the Florida Building Code from requiring more than a single fire service access elevator in residential buildings of a certain height.
“One of the fundamental issues in fire protection and fire service is means of egress — getting people out of the fire, getting people out of the building, getting firefighters in and out safely,” Butcher said. “Everywhere you look has, at least, two means of egress. If you look around, there’s a minimum of two exits signs everywhere.”
Other changes opposed by the Association include codes related to “zero lot lines” for structures built close to property lines. Butcher pointed out that structures to close together can spread fires quickly. Another change opposed by the group increases the occupancy requirements for fire sprinklers at restaurants.
Also speaking in opposition to the bill were representatives of the Florida League of Cities, taking issue with a part of the bill prohibiting a municipality from denying permit applications for a single-family home based on minimum zoning standards for size and area of a lot (or combination of lots).
Another part of the bill prohibits adding to the 2014 Code any mandatory “blower door” and air infiltration testing and mechanical ventilation device requirements. The staff analysis calls those conditions a standard measure of leakage in a home from cracks and holes.
LobbyTools noted that chances appear good those provisions will change as a result of the opposition.
SB 704 will have another committee stop before a vote in the full Senate. A companion House bill (HB 535) also has a single committee stop before reaching the House floor.
