The Florida Building Code (FBC) is a set of standards designed by the Florida Building Commission for the construction of buildings in the US state of Florida.[1] Many regulations and guidelines distributed are important benchmarks regarding hurricane protection. Miami-Dade County was the first in Florida to certify hurricane-resistant standards for structures which the Florida Building Code subsequently enacted across all requirements for hurricane-resistant buildings. Many other states reference the requirements set in the Florida Building codes, or have developed their own requirements for hurricanes.[2]
The Florida Building Code is also based upon the International Building Code (IBC) used in the United States.[3]
Hurricane guidelines
editThe 2010 edition of the Florida Building Code introduced significant changes to wind load design, in particular the presentation of the wind speed maps.[4]
The Miami-Dade and Broward County norms, are both included in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) and contain more stringent requirements.[4] Other counties such as Palm Beach County do not require the same HVHZ building standards for compliance with the Florida Building Codes.[5]
| Miami Dade County | |
|---|---|
| Risk Category I: Buildings & Structures | 165 mph |
| Risk Category II: Buildings & Structures | 175 mph |
| Risk Category III: Buildings & Structures | 185 mph |
| Broward County | |
| Risk Category I: Buildings & Structures | 156 mph |
| Risk Category II: Buildings & Structures | 170 mph |
| Risk Category III: Buildings & Structures | 180 mph |
Both Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida maintain web-searchable databases of products approved for use as hurricane protection. These typically include not only actual test results from certified independent testing laboratories, they also contain "Product Approval Drawings" or "Installation Instructions" which provide specifications for hurricane shutter assembly and installation.[6]
Impact tests conducted on building materials are measured and tested via TAS201, 202 and 203.[7][8][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- Analysis of Laws Relating to Florida Coastal Zone Management. University of Florida, Center for Governmental Responsibility. 1976.
- State Consumer Action: Summary '74. pp 133 & 134.
- ^ "Florida Building Commission". Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "Allegion Windstorm solutions" (PDF). Allegion. March 16, 2016. p. 5. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Florida". ICC. January 8, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "Changes to the Wind Speed Maps and Wind Design – 2010 Florida Building Codes" (PDF). Retrieved October 9, 2016.
- ^ "Palm Beach County News - Sun Sentinel". www.sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
- ^ Services, Miami-Dade County Online. "Miami-Dade County - Building - Product Control Search". www.miamidade.gov. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
- ^ "Testing Application Standard (TAS) 201-94". Retrieved October 9, 2016.
- ^ "Testing Application Standard (TAS) 202-94". Retrieved October 9, 2016.
- ^ "Testing Application Standard (TAS) 203-94". Retrieved October 9, 2016.