2010 Florida Building Code Update


To All Interested Parties:

Re: The 2010 Florida Building Code and Upcoming Meetings


Effective date and educational materials: This is a reminder that the effective date, March 15, 2012, for the 2010 Florida Building Code is fast approaching.  Also, in order to facilitate your review of the new code, staff has posted on the following link a number of documents which provide educational information on various subjects of the code.  Please take some time to review the materials and share them with your co-workers and local interest groups. http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/thecode/resources.htm


Accessibility Code Compliance date: The 2012 Florida Accessibility Code is not yet certified by the US Department of Justice as “substantially equivalent” to the federal ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The 2012 Florida Accessibility Code “the Code” was redeveloped based on the new federal ADA Standards for Accessible Design adopted by DOJ, September 15, 2010. While Florida’s earlier codes were certified they were determined to be substantially equivalent to the 1991 version of the federal standards. The analysis and determination must be based on the 2010 ADA Standards before DOJ certification can be achieved. Note that while it is always a building owners’ responsibility to comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, compliance with a certified state or local accessibility code provides a presumption of compliance with the ADA Standards.  During the interim period while the 2012 Florida Accessibility Code is being evaluated it is particularly important that owners and designers ensure compliance with both the Code and the 2010 ADA Standards.  One of the significant points to consider is the trigger for compliance with the 2010 ADA Standards.For Title II, public entities, the determination of when the 2010 ADA Standards must be followed is based on initiation of construction.For Title III, private entities, the determination of when the 2010 ADA Standards must be followed is based on; the date the last application for a building permit or permit extension is certified to be complete by a building department, or; the date the last application for a building permit or permit extension is received by a building department, or; where no permit is required the date of physical construction or alteration.  For more information regarding the 2010 ADA Standards, please visit the following link: http://www.ada.gov/


Trenton H. Cotney
Board Certified in Construction Law
Trent Cotney, P.A.
1207 N Franklin St, Ste 222
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 579-3278
www.trentcotney.com


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