jb design facade engineers logo black and white

EXPERTS IN THE FENESTRATION INDUSTRY

The Florida Building Code 2026 Update: What Glaziers Need to Know

Building Codes

February 18, 2026

For glazing contractors and architects operating in Florida, the building code is not a static document; it is a moving target. As the industry prepares for the transition to the 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code (FBC), effective December 31, 2026, the stakes for compliance are escalating. This upcoming edition is not merely a routine administrative update; it represents a convergence of rigorous legislative mandates, the adoption of ASCE 7-22 structural standards, and a decisive move toward the 2024 I-Codes.

The development process for this edition involves a meticulous review of model code changes, specifically targeting provisions that overlap with Florida’s unique environmental challenges. For the facade and fenestration industry, this translates to stricter enforcement of wind-load calculations, reduced tolerances for energy inefficiency, and non-negotiable impact-resistance requirements.

At JB Design, we specialize in navigating these regulatory shifts. This article breaks down the critical technical changes you must anticipate to keep your projects compliant, your budgets accurate, and your structures safe.

Will Your Next Project Survive the 160 MPH Legislative Mandate?

One of the most significant shifts on the horizon comes not just from the code committees, but from the Florida Legislature itself. Senate Bill 1218 and House Bill 911 have introduced language that fundamentally alters the requirements for building envelope resilience. The legislation mandates that the entire building envelope of specific high-risk structures must be impact-resistant and constructed to withstand a minimum of 160 miles per hour. While this establishes a new statewide baseline, it is critical to note that for many projects, particularly in coastal areas and High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ), ASCE 7-22 standards often dictate even higher design wind speeds, frequently reaching 170 to 180 mph depending on the specific location and Risk Category.

Historically, certain elements or elevations might have utilized exemptions or lower design pressures. However, this proposed mandate targets multistory residential buildings (R-1 and R-2 occupancies), structures within 5 miles of the coast, and any building located in a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ).

What This Means for Glaziers:

  • Total Envelope Protection: The legislation specifically cites “exterior walls, glass block, and glazing” as components that must meet these impact resistance standards. You can no longer rely on partial protection strategies for these occupancy types.
  • Rebuilding Standards: This mandate is retrospective in the wake of disaster. If a building is deemed uninhabitable or destroyed by a natural emergency, the rebuild must conform to these heightened wind-resistant standards.
  • Fiscal Impact: While the amendment requires that the benefits outweigh the fiscal impact, the initial material costs for glazing packages meeting a 160 mph impact criteria will undoubtedly rise. Accurate engineering during the bid phase is essential to avoid underestimating these costs.

How does ASCE 7-22 change wind load calculations for Florida?

The 8th Edition (2023) and the incoming 9th Edition (2026) FBC are anchored in the adoption of ASCE 7-22 (Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures). This standard introduces nuanced changes to how wind loads are calculated, directly affecting the selection of glass and framing systems.

The Death of “Simplified Methods” Perhaps the most “painful” change for contractors accustomed to quick estimates is the deletion of simplified methods for determining wind loads. ASCE 7-22 requires a more rigorous analytical approach. This means “envelope” procedures that were once used for low-rise buildings are largely being replaced by more complex calculations that require professional interpretation.

Professional Sealing Requirements: Due to this increased complexity, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires that all wind load calculations, specifically for Components and Cladding (C&C), be prepared and sealed by a Florida-licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Architect. This includes calculations for windows, doors, roof panels, and wall cladding.

Expanded Criteria for Attached Canopies ASCE 7-22 has also expanded the wind load criteria for attached canopies on buildings with mean roof heights greater than 60 feet. If your scope includes glass canopies or sunshades on high-rises, the structural loads on these elements may be significantly higher than in previous code cycles, requiring heavier anchorage and thicker glass laminates.

Solving Complex Glazing Designs with Rational Analysis

Architectural trends continue to push the boundaries of glass sizes, often exceeding the dimensions found in standard Notice of Acceptance (NOA) capacity charts or Product Approvals. When a design falls outside these pre-tested parameters, the project is at risk of permit rejection unless validated by a licensed engineer.

The Solution: Rational Analysis. The FBC explicitly allows for “Rational Analysis” by a Florida-registered Engineer or Architect to validate fixed glazing when the actual pressure and geometry conditions differ from the conditions shown in the product approval.

How We Apply This:

  • Beyond the Charts: If an architect designs a 12-foot span where the product approval only charts up to 10 feet, we utilize rational analysis to prove the system’s integrity under the specific site conditions.
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA): At JB Design, we employ advanced Finite Element Analysis software to predict how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration, and heat. This allows us to validate complex geometries that standard simplified equations cannot address.
  • Compliance Assurance: This method ensures that even unique, custom facade designs remain compliant with HVHZ provisions and structural integrity requirements without necessitating a full-scale physical re-test of the product assembly.

To see how we apply Rational Analysis to complex facades, visit our Engineering Services page.

Are Your Glass Railings and Guards Ready for the New Safety Factors?

The 2026 code update brings clarity, and strictness to the structural requirements for glass used in handrails and guards. Glaziers must pay close attention to Section 2405.5, which governs these installations.

The “Safety Factor of 4” Glass used as a structural baluster panel must be designed with a safety factor of 4. This means the panels and their support systems must be capable of withstanding four times the design load specified in Section 1607. This high safety margin accounts for the brittle nature of glass and the catastrophic consequences of failure.

Material Mandates and Redundancy The code restricts the types of glass allowed for structural balusters to three specific categories:

  1. Single fully tempered glass.
  2. Laminated fully tempered glass.
  3. Laminated heat-strengthened glass.

Furthermore, the code mandates redundancy. Each handrail or guard section must be supported by a minimum of three glass balusters, or it must be supported in such a way that the rail remains in place even if one baluster panel fails. This requirement prevents a “domino effect” failure and ensures that a single broken panel does not result in a complete loss of fall protection.

Navigating Tighter Energy Conservation and Solar Heat Gain Limits

Energy conservation is a major driver of the 2026 update, aligning Florida with the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The 2023 code cycle has already begun moving toward stricter Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC), and the 2026 edition will solidify these metrics.

Vertical Glazing vs. Skylights Recent updates have separated “Glazed Vertical Fenestration” from “Skylights” in compliance tables. For Florida Climate Zones 1 and 2, the maximum SHGC for glazed vertical fenestration is set at 0.25. This is a tight target that requires high-performance Low-E coatings.

The “Simulated Building Performance” Path. The code is transitioning terminology from “Total Building Performance” to “Simulated Building Performance”. This compliance path allows for trade-offs but requires sophisticated modeling of the thermal envelope, air leakage, and fenestration U-factors.

The 30% Renovation Rule. For glaziers working on renovation projects in the HVHZ, the “30% Rule” is critical. If you are replacing glazing of more than one light, or more than 30 percent of the total glazed area, the work must conform to the requirements for new installations. This triggers full compliance with current impact and energy standards, potentially expanding the scope of work significantly beyond a simple repair.

Optimizing Permit Approvals with Precision Shop Drawings

In the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, documentation is as critical as the hardware itself. The FBC mandates that the Architect or Professional Engineer of Record must detail specific elements on the drawings submitted for permit.

Mandatory Detailing Requirements:

  • Rough opening dimensions.
  • Supporting framework.
  • Method of attachment.
  • Waterproofing procedures for all garage doors, passage doors, skylights, and operative/inoperative windows.

The Role of Shop Drawings. To meet these requirements without delaying the project, high-quality shop drawings are essential. These drawings must coordinate with architectural and structural documents and interpret Florida Product Approvals and NOAs. The code allows for an exception: if detailed engineered shop drawings, produced by the manufacturer’s specialty engineer and approved by the Engineer of Record, are submitted at the time of permit application, they can satisfy these detailing requirements.

JB Design provides comprehensive Glazing Shop Drawings that bridge the gap between architectural intent and structural reality, ensuring faster permit approvals and fewer revisions.

Conclusion: Preparing for December 2026

The transition to the 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code is more than a regulatory hurdle; it is a shift toward a more resilient, energy-efficient built environment. With legislative mandates pushing for 160 mph envelope protection and ASCE 7-22 demanding rigorous engineering analysis, “business as usual” will no longer suffice.

Contractors and architects who engage with engineering partners early in the design phase will avoid costly redesigns and permit rejections. Whether it is performing Rational Analysis for a custom facade or sealing wind load calculations for a high-rise, technical expertise is your best risk mitigation strategy.

To learn more about how we can help with your next project, visit https://www.jbdteam.com.

Article References