CHANGES TO THE 7TH EDITION (2020) OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE FOR FENESTRATION

Significant changes are coming for the 7th Edition (2020) of the Florida Building Code that will affect the fenestration industry going into effect January 1st, 2021.
These include:

• New wind speed map based on ASCE7-16 specific to Risk Category IV buildings and structures recognizing there are higher reliabilities required for these buildings and structures. Increased wind loads for skylights have also been implemented.

• New wind load criteria for rooftop solar panels have been added to ASCE7-16 – two methods for specific types of panels have been added.

• Revised (higher) design wind pressures on roofs of buildings with mean roof height ≤ 60 feet

• New wind load criteria for attached canopies – The new provisions apply to attached canopies that are

essentially horizontal (maximum slope of 2%) and that are attached to buildings with mean roof heights of 60 feet or less.

• New guidance in the commentary for designing for tornadoes

In addition, other parameters to consider are:

-Added back into Chapter 10 of the Commercial Code is the threshold exception for exterior doors of dwelling units. -Concrete and masonry buck and installation requirements have also been added back to Chapter 17. -For outboard sacrificial lites of laminated, insulated glass in bathrooms, the safety glazing exception was added. -A new Sill height requirement for Existing, Residential and Commercial codes is now 24″ minimum. -Calculations for vertical and skylight glazed fenestration areas in the Residential Energy Code were updated. -Residential Energy Code, area-weighted U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) allowance language for replacement fenestration was added.

To make sure your projects’ are up to code, please reach out to us for a complimentary consultation on how we can help you. Email us at [email protected]