Building Code Administration
OP-G-7.1

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Policy

Florida law and regulations require that all new buildings constructed and modifications to existing buildings be reviewed and inspected for compliance with adopted building codes and standards. The policy requires all University entities conducting building construction, repair, or modifications on University-owned property to submit construction plans and specifications to the University's Building Code Administration Section and the State Fire Marshal for review. When applicable, no construction may begin until a Building Permit has been issued and appropriate fees have been paid per Section 553.79, F.S.

All projects shall be permitted regardless of scope or cost, with the exception of routine maintenance including painting, carpet replacement, and equipment repairs. For internal maintenance and minor renovations conducted with University employees, those employees do not have to be licensed in order to obtain a permit. All contracted employees and trades must be licensed without exception. (Section 489.103, F.S.)

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Objective

The objective of this policy is to establish and implement a Building Code Administration Program for Florida State University that will ensure a good faith effort in the review of plans and the performance of inspections in a knowledgeable, consistent, and non-discriminatory manner to help protect the public's life, health, and welfare in the built environment. This protection shall be provided through the codes listed in Appendix 2 and the application of the performance based standards contained within. The program shall be administered through review of plans and specifications and on-site construction inspections as required to help ensure compliance with adopted codes and standards.

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Authority

A building code program is mandated by Sections 240.209, 553.80(6), F.S. and Chancellor's Memorandum CM-N-22.0-12/00 dated December 20, 2000.

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Responsibilities

Environmental Health & Safety

The Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S) of Florida State University shall appoint a qualified Building Code Administrator to manage the building code administration and inspections. The Building Code Administrator, as defined in Section 468.603, F.S., shall be certified by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation as a "Building Official" (BO) in accordance with Part XII of Chapter 468, F.S. The BO shall employ, or contract, qualified personnel to carry out the Building Code Administration Program. The Building Code Administration (BCA) Section will provide for the review of plans and specifications for compliance with adopted codes and standards. After reviewing the documents, comments will be returned with appropriate references. In addition the State Fire Marshal (SFM) must review the documents and approve them as in compliance with the adopted State Fire Prevention Code. A Building Permit will be issued to the applicant upon satisfactory completion of the application process, and receipt and review of all necessary documents.

The BO, General Contractor (GC) or Construction Manager (CM), and the University Project Manager (PM) will develop an inspection schedule to facilitate appropriate inspections to coincide with the project construction schedule. Building Code inspectors shall be granted permission to perform any additional inspections, as they deem necessary, to ensure compliance.

Prior to occupancy of a new building, the BO shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). The CO will state the building is complete, constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications, and meets the minimum code requirements at the time of issuance of the Building Permit. In addition, the SFM and other University entities must inspect and certify that the building is substantially complete prior to occupancy of the structure.

Prior to re-occupancy of a renovated building, the BO shall issue a Certificate of Completion (CC). The CC will state renovated portions of the building are complete, constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications, and meet the minimum code requirements at the time of issuance of the Building Permit. The SFM and other University entities must inspect and certify the renovated portions of the building are substantially complete prior to re-occupancy of the renovated space.

Fees

Fees associated with plan review, permit issuance, and inspection services shall be borne by the project.

Design Professionals

Design professionals shall be responsible for the design of the project in accordance with the appropriate adopted codes and standards.

If the level of work requires the involvement of a design professional as described in Chapters 471 and 481 of the Florida Statutes, the construction documents and specifications must be signed and sealed by the Architect/Engineer of record.

General Contractor/Construction Manager

The GC/CM shall apply for the Building Permit through FSU BCA. Applicants shall provide a completed permit application, a "Lettter of Code Compliance" (LOCC), Certification of SFM Approval, a list of all subcontractors that will include appropriate license numbers and a letter of authorization as necessary. If a LOCC has not been issued by BCA, four (4) copies of the final bid construction documents and specifications (signed and sealed) must accompany the application. A Building Permit will be issued after all items have been reviewed and approved by the BO. BCA will provide to the GC/CM a Building Permit and one set of approved construction documents. These documents are to be maintained at the designated location on the job site for utilization by inspectors.

The GC/CM shall meet with the University PM and BO to develop a building inspection plan. The GC/CM shall be responsible for scheduling all required inspections in accordance with the plan developed. Subsequent construction may not proceed until the previous inspection has been completed and approved. When the GC/CM believes the project is complete, the GC/CM shall request, through the University PM, a final inspection for issuance of a CC or CO.

University Departments Providing Construction Managment/Maintenance Services

Any University department providing construction/maintenance services for either themselves or another University entity shall be required to obtain a permit when required by the Building Code and Florida Statutes. At the time of application for the permit, the department shall provide a list of all subcontractors (if any) with their license numbers along with the LOCC. If a LOCC has not been issued by BCA, four (4) copies of the final bid construction documents and specifications (signed and sealed) must accompany the application. A Building Permit will be issued to a certified/licensed contractor/or authorized agent (state) after these items have been reviewed and approved by the BO. The department shall meet with the BO to develop a building inspection plan. The department shall be responsible for scheduling all required inspections in accordance with the plan developed. Subsequent construction may not proceed until the previous inspection has been completed and approved. When the department believes the project is complete, the department shall request a Certificate of Completion be issued.

When deemed appropriate by the BO, an Annual Facility Permit to facilitate routine maintenance, emergency repairs, building refurbishment, and minor renovations of systems or equipment may be issued.

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Procedures

  1. Architects, Engineers, and University design professionals shall prepare documents in accordance with the requirements of all applicable codes.

  2. The appropriate Contractor, Construction Manager, or Departmental Representative shall forward the construction documents to BCA for review.

  3. BCA shall review the construction documents for code compliance and will return comments to the submitting entity or issue a Letter of Code Compliance.

  4. The GC/CM or PM shall apply for the Building Permit. BCA will review the Building Permit application and issue the permit if all information is supplied, complete, and acceptable.

  5. BCA and the GC/CM/PM or department shall develop an inspection plan.

  6. The GC/CM/PM shall call and request an inspection in accordance with the inspection plan. BCA shall perform inspections on request.

  7. The Office of the SFM shall be required to inspect all renovations and new construction at specified intervals of construction. (Chapter 633, F.S.) The GC/CM/PM will be responsible for the scheduling of all SFM inspections.

  8. After the building is substantially complete and all required inspections have been performed, including the State Fire Marshal, the BO will issue the appropriate Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy.

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Building Code Board of Appeals

The University's Vice-President for Finance and Administration shall appoint the Building Code Board of Appeals. The Board shall consist of five (5) persons with two alternate members. Decisions are made by the Board based on a simple majority of votes. A vote by an alternate appointee would only be registered if one of the five (5) primary members does not vote. The Board members shall have knowledge of building trades. At least one person from each of the following disciplines should be appointed to the Board: Facilities Planning (Director, Architect), Campus Design (Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Architect). The Building Code Administrator shall serve as secretary to the Board. Appointments to the Board of Appeals shall be for a four (4) year period with two reappointment periods.

Any contractor may submit a written appeal of any decision made by the Building Official within ten (10) days of that decision. The Board shall review the appeal and render a decision within thirty (30) days thereafter. The decision of the Board on a submitted appeal shall be final.

The current Board membership is identified in Appendix 1.

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Appendix 1: Membership of the Board of Appeals

Organizational Unit Professional Discipline Appointment Status
Facilities Planning
Lawrence Rubin Associate Director Project Management Active
Mark Bertolami Director Facilities Planning Active
Daryl Ellison Associate Director Project Management Alternate
 
Campus Design
Bob Thompson Campus Architect Alternate
Mark Sawicki Mechanical Engineer Active
Weyman Davis Electrical Engineer Active
 
Community
Kenny Bell Director TCC Facilities Active
 
Support Staff
Tom Deckert University Building Official Secretary

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Appendix 2: Applicable Codes and Standards List

The minimum applicable codes and standards are listed in Section 553.19, F.S. and Section 553.73, F.S. The Florida Building Commission, by revising their Rule 9B-3.047, F.A.C. may adopt later versions of these minimum codes. The list of currently Applicable Codes and Standards must be included with the Building Permit.

  • 2004 Florida Building Code, Building

  • 2004 Florida Building Code, Mechanical

  • 2004 Florida Building Code, Fuel Gas

  • 2004 Florida Building Code, Plumbing

  • 2004 Florida Building Code, Residential

  • 2004 Florida Building Code, Existing Buildings

  • 2004 Florida Building Code, Test Protocols for High Velocity Hurricane Zones

Various Uniform Fire Safety Standards as adopted by the State Fire Marshal (SFM) in Rule 4A-3. See below. (1) Except as specifically modified by statute or by the State Fire Marshal’s rules, the Florida specific edition of NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code®, 2004 edition and the Florida specific edition of NFPA 1, the Uniform Fire Code., 2003 edition, as adopted within Rule Chapter 69A-60, F.A.C., the 2004 edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as a part of the uniform fire safety standards adopted by rule by the State Fire Marshal and are applicable to those buildings and structures specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of Section 633.022, F.S. In addition, the following standards, except as specifically modified in the rule chapters in Rule Title 69A, are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and shall take effect on the effective date of this rule, as a part of the uniform fire safety standards adopted by rule by the State Fire Marshal and are applicable to those buildings and structures specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of Section 633.022, F.S.:

Chapter

Year

Title

1

2004

Fire Prevention Code

10

2002

Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers

11

2002

Standard for Low Expansion Foam

11A

1999

Standard for Medium and High Expansion Foam Systems

12

2000

Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems

12A

1997

Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems

13

2002

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

13D

2002

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One and Two Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes

13R

2002

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and including Four Stories in Height

14

2003

Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, except 2-7 shall be omitted

15

2001

Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection

16

2003

Standard on Deluge Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray systems

17

2002

Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems

17A

2002

Standard on Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems

20

1999

Standard for the Installation of Centrifugal Fire Pumps

22

2003

Standards for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection

24

2002

Standards for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances

25

2002

Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

30

2000

Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

30A

2000

Automotive and Marine Service Station Code

30B

2002

Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Paints

31

2001

Standard for the Installation of Oil Burning Equipment

34

2000

Standard for Dipping and Coating Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids

35

1999

Standards for the manufacture of Organic coatings

36

2001

Standard for Solvent Extraction Plants

37

2002

Standard for the Installation and Use of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines

45

2000

Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals

46

1996

Storage of Forest Products

50

2001

Standard for Bulk Oxygen Systems at Consumer Sites

50B

1999

Standard for Liquid Hydrogen Systems at Consumer Sites

51

2002

Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen-Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes

51B

1999

Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work

52

2002

Compressed Natural Gas Vehicular Fuel Systems Code

54

2002

National Fuel Gas Code

55

1993

Compressed and Liquefied Gasses in Portable Cylinders

57

2002

Liquefied Natural Gas Vehicular Fuel Systems Code

58

2002

Liquefied Petroleum Gases Code

59

2001

Standard for Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases at Utility Gas Plants

59A

2001

Standard for the Production, Storage and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas

61

2002

Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Products Facilities

69

2002

Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems

70

2002

National Electrical Code

72

2002

National Fire Alarm Code

75

2003

Standard for the Protection of Electronic Computer/Data Processing Equipment

80

1999

Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows

82

1999

Standard on Incinerators and Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment

86

1999

Standard for Ovens and Furnaces

86C

1999

Standard for Industrial Furnaces Using a Special Processing Atmosphere

88A

2002

Standard for Parking Structures

90A

2002

Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems

91

1999

Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists and Noncombustible Particulate Solids

92A

2000

Recommended Practice for Smoke-Control Systems

92B

2000

Guide for Smoke Management Systems in Malls, Atria, and Large Areas

96

2001

Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Prevention of Commercial Cooking Operations

99

2002

Standard for Health Care Facilities

101

2003

Life Safety Code

101A

2001

Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety

101B

2002

Standard on Means of Egress

102

1995

Standard for Grandstands, Folding and Telescoping Seating, Tents and Membrane Structures

105

2003

Recommended Practice for the Installation of Smoke-Control Door Assemblies

110

2002

Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems

111

2001

Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems

140

1999

Standard for Motion Picture and Television Production Studio, Soundstages and Approved Production Facilities

160

2001

Standard for Flame Effects Before an Audience

211

2003

Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances

214

2000

Standard on Water-Cooling Towers

221

2000

Standard on Fire Walls and Fire Barrier Walls

230

2003

Standard for the Fire Protection of Storage

232

2000

Standard for the Protection of Records

232A

1995

Standard for Fire Protection for Archives and Record Centers

241

2000

Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations

251

1999

Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Endurance of Building Construction and Materials

252

1999

Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies

253

2000

Standard Method of Test for Critical Flux of Floor Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source

255

2000

Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

256

1998

Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Roof Coverings

257

2000

Standard on Fire Tests for Window and Glass Block Assemblies

259

2003

Standard Test Method for Potential Heat of Building Materials

318

2002

Standard for the Protection of Cleanrooms

430

2000

Code for Storage of Liquid and Solid Oxidizers

432

2002

Code for Storage of Organic Peroxide Formulations

434

2002

Code for the Storage of Pesticides

490

1998

Code for the Storage of Ammonium Nitrate

495

2001

Explosive Materials Code

501

2003

Standard on Manufactured Housing

501A

2003

Standard for Fire safety Criteria for Mobile Home Installations, Sites and Communities

664

2002

Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities

703

2000

Standard for Fire Retardant Impregnated Wood and Fire Retardant Coatings for Building Materials

780

2000

Installation of Lightning Protection Systems

909

2001

Standard for the Protection of Cultural Resources, Including Museums, Libraries, Places of worship, and Historical Properties

1122

2002

Code for Model Rocketry

1123

2000

Code for Fireworks Display

1124

2003

Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, and Storage of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles

1125

2001

Code for the Manufacture of Model Rocket and High Power Rocket Motors

1126

2001

Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience

1127

2002

Code for High Power Rocketry

1142

2001

Standard for water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting

1962

2003

Standard for the Care, Use and Service Testing of Fire Hose Including Couplings and Nozzles

1963

1998

Standards for Fire Hose Connections

2001

2000

Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

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