Helmy Makar of the Miami-Dade County, Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER), Product Control Section, presented an overview of the county’s product control process leading to the issuance of a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) – required by all fenestration and other envelope-related products and systems.

Manufacturers of construction products seeking approval may access Miami-Dade County services including the review of technical documentation and audits of the Quality Assurance of the manufactured products or the manufacturing process.

The steps for obtaining a Miami-Dade NOA are:

• Manufacturers submit product technical documentation. For example, test reports, engineering analysis and installation procedures.
• coER Product Control staff reviews and determines whether the submittal is sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the Building Code.
• If so, approval is recommended to the Board of Rules and Appeals (BORA) for final review; Approval is automatic in seven days, unless an objection is presented.
• A Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is then issued.

For more information, visit miamidade.gov/economy and click on “Product Approvals.”

Makar also explained the Quality Assurance Audit process as conducted by the Quality Assurance Unit. An acceptable internal quality assurance management system must be verified as in place and implemented by the manufacturer as part of the requirement for receiving a Miami-Dade NOA for its products. The manufacturer’s system must be described in a comprehensive quality manual, which details activities like recording and resolution of complaints, control of nonconforming product, corrective action taken to cure nonconformities of product or process and control of records both written and electronic.

Key dates in the finalization of the 7^th Edition of the Florida Building Code are:

• June 2, 2020 – final rule hearing
• December 31, 2020 – tentative effective date.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Florida Building Commission (FBC) will discuss a possible extension of the implementation of the latest edition of the Florida code during their next meeting June 2, 2020. FGIA’s Southeast Region Technical Committee will meet by conference call in advance of that session to determine FGIA’s recommended position on possible extension of the 7th Edition of the Florida Building Code. That position will then be considered and ultimately determined by the voting members of FGIA ‘s Code Action Steering Committee (CASC) before the June 2 FBC meeting.

See the Florida Building Code website for more information on the code cycle activity.

FGIA Codes Consultant Jen Hatfield reported on Florida Building Codes development.

Rule Development Workshops

Two Florida rule development workshops are being held in 2020 in preparation for the Final Rule Hearing at the FBC Meeting in June. During workshops, participants address questions about proposed Florida building code language and determining what parts of International Code Council (ICC) I-Codes that Florida may adopt. View April 7 Rule Development Workshop comments.

Report on Enhanced Construction Concepts

The “Final Report of Optional Enhanced Construction Techniques for the Wind, Flood and Storm Surge Provisions” was filed with the Florida Building Commission. A minimum Performance Grade (PG) of 70 per NAFS was included in the report’s language. See the final report.

Mid- to High-Rise Structures Wind-Driven Rain Research in Progress

The Florida Building Commission (FBC) awarded a research project to the University of Florida (U of F) to determine how water intrusion to the building envelope could be evaluated. FGIA recommended research project work team representatives to advise the U of F study, selected from residential and commercial fenestration segments and technical laboratories. FGIA’s representatives were selected to serve on the project work team.

An interim report on research progress was expected by April 17, 2020 with the final report slated for June 19, 2020. However, it is unknown at this writing what impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on research or reporting deadlines.

Florida Hurricane Research Advisory Committee (HRAC)

The cross-functional committee reconvened in January to develop consensus-based recommendations for Florida Building Commission (FBC). FGIA Board of Directors member Mark Mikkelson, Andersen Corporation, represents fenestration industry interests. Through virtual meetings, the group seeks to identify and review research conducted related to building issues resulting from high wind events including recent hurricanes in Florida and identify research gaps.

2020 Florida Legislative Session Bills Related to Fenestration Industry

Bills of interest supported by the Southeast Region Technical Committee during the Florida legislative session included the following.

SB524-2020 – by Senator Gruters. It proposed to enact a 15-day sales tax holiday for purchase and installation of impact-resistant products to help make Florida buildings more resistant to hurricanes. FGIA encourages modifications to include reference to applicable industry standards, rather than simply saying “impact-resistant.” See the Florida Senate’s site for more information.

SB844-2020 – by Senator Taddeo, had House counterpart HB555-2020. It specified that impact-resistant windows installed by a qualified contractor from July 1, 2020-July 1, 2021 would be eligible for Florida tax credit. FGIA sought to include homeowner DIY installation providing fenestration manufacturer’s instructions are followed and to allow for impact-resistant doors as well as windows. Get more information here.

The Florida legislature adjourned as the COVID-19 pandemic began to flare, and none of these bills passed, as the legislature instead focused on how to fund essential services during the pandemic.

In addition to activity in Florida, other states in the region logged progress in code development.

Georgia

New codes that took effect January 1, 2020 are the 2018 edition of IBC and IRC, 2015 IECC, 2018 IFC and 2017 National Electric code. Local option is permitted for the adoption of the 2012 International Existing Building Code and the 2008 National Green Building Code. Visit this online resource for more information.

North Carolina

Amendments effective January 1, 2020 include adoption of the 2018 North Carolina Existing Building Code include that no energy conservation code measures shall apply to attached or detached garages at residences.

South Carolina

New statewide codes effective January 1, 2020 include the 2018 South Carolina Building Code or the 2018 IBC with state modifications, the 2018 South Carolina Fire Code or 2018 International Fire Code with state modifications, and the 2018 South Carolina Residential Code or 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) with state modifications. Get more information here.

Texas

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) proposed its first building codes update since adopting the 2006 IRC and IBC which went into effect January 1, 2008. It adopted the 2018 versions of IBC and IRC, which went into effect April 1, 2020. The new codes extend requirement for impact protection products further inland to include Inland Zone II. For more details, view the January 14, 2020 FGIA Southeast Region webinar on Texas codes. Members can access it on the FGIA website and non-members can view it on the FGIA Vimeo Channel. For more on the new Texas codes adoption, visit this online resource.