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Florida does things a little differently than most other states. Although the FBC is essentially the IBC with Florida amendments, regarding accessibility, Chapter 11 is marked as RESERVED other than a few sentences. The following are the only two code sections in Chapter 11 of the FBC. Everything else is blank because Chapter 11 was rewritten in the FBC Accessibility code, which is the ANSI A117.1, but with Florida amendments, which includes portions of the FBC.
Chapter 11 of the IBC provides the scoping requirements for accessibility through the ANSI A117.1. In Florida, all of the scoping is integrated into the FBC Accessibilith in Chapter 2. Whereas the ANSI A117.1 Chapter 2 only has three sections, 201, 202 & 203, the FBC Accessibility goes all the way to Section 243 as this Chapter 2 replaces Chapter 11 of the FBC.
The 2023 Florida Building Code (FBC) - Accessibility is a critical resource for ensuring that buildings and facilities in Florida comply with accessibility requirements. This code is designed to provide clear guidance on the design, construction, and alteration of buildings to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. For those unfamiliar with the FBC Accessibility, Chapters 1 and 2 establish the foundation of the code, outlining its scope, enforcement, and specific scoping requirements that determine where accessibility features are required.
Chapter 1: Scope and Administration
Chapter 1 establishes the purpose and authority of the FBC - Accessibility. The purpose of this code is to provide minimum requirements to ensure accessibility to buildings and facilities for individuals with disabilities. This includes provisions that address structural strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, and safety from hazards.
The code applies to all new and altered buildings and facilities, including public and private structures. Places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government buildings must comply with these regulations to ensure that accessibility is integrated into all aspects of construction and renovation.
Building officials play a critical role in enforcing the FBC - Accessibility. While local jurisdictions do not enforce federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Fair Housing Act (FHA) directly, they are responsible for enforcing state and local codes that often mirror federal standards. Compliance with the FBC - Accessibility generally ensures alignment with ADA and FHA requirements, but ultimate responsibility for compliance remains with property owners, developers, and design professionals.
Chapter 1 also provides details on the responsibilities of building officials, including the review of plans, issuance of permits, and conducting inspections to verify compliance. The authority of the building official includes approving alternative designs that meet the intent of the accessibility requirements and ensuring that existing buildings undergoing alterations are brought into compliance as required by the code.
Chapter 2: Scoping Requirements
Chapter 2 provides the scoping requirements that determine which spaces and elements within a building must be accessible. These requirements apply to both new construction and alterations to existing buildings, specifying where accessibility features such as accessible routes, entrances, parking spaces, and restrooms are required. The chapter covers a broad range of facility types and design elements, ensuring that accessibility is addressed comprehensively across different building uses.
The following is a list of all sections within Chapter 2:
201 Application
202 Existing Buildings and Facilities
203 General Exceptions
204 Protruding Objects
205 Operable Parts
206 Accessible Routes
207 Accessible Means of Egress
208 Parking Spaces
209 Passenger Loading Zones and Bus Stops
210 Stairways
211 Drinking Fountains
212 Kitchens, Kitchenettes, and Sinks
213 Toilet Facilities and Bathing Facilities
214 Washing Machines and Clothes Dryers
215 Fire Alarm Systems
216 Signs
217 Telephones
218 Transportation Facilities
219 Assistive Listening Systems
220 Automatic Teller Machines and Fare Machines
221 Dressing, Fitting, and Locker Rooms
222 Judicial Facilities
223 Detention Facilities
224 Social Service Center Establishments
225 Medical Care and Long-Term Care Facilities
226 Assembly Areas
227 Sales and Service
228 Storage
229 Depositories, Vending Machines, Change Machines, and Fuel Dispensers
230 Windows
231 Two-Way Communication Systems
232 Court Sports Facilities
233 Play Areas
234 Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas
235 Shooting Facilities with Firing Positions
236 Miscellaneous
237 Amusement Rides
238 Recreational Boating Facilities
239 Exercise Machines and Equipment
240 Fishing Piers and Platforms
241 Golf Facilities
242 Miniature Golf Facilities
243 Playgrounds
These sections establish where accessibility is required within various types of buildings and facilities, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equitable access to public spaces, housing, recreational areas, and essential services.
Understanding Chapters 1 and 2 of the FBC - Accessibility is essential for building officials, architects, contractors, and property owners to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. By enforcing these regulations, local jurisdictions help create environments that are inclusive and accessible to all individuals, supporting equal access and usability across Florida’s built environment.
Chapter 11 of the IBC provides the scoping requirements for accessibility through the ANSI A117.1. In Florida, all of the scoping is integrated into the FBC Accessibilith in Chapter 2. Whereas the ANSI A117.1 Chapter 2 only has three sections, 201, 202 & 203, the FBC Accessibility goes all the way to Section 243 as this Chapter 2 replaces Chapter 11 of the FBC.
The 2023 Florida Building Code (FBC) - Accessibility is a critical resource for ensuring that buildings and facilities in Florida comply with accessibility requirements. This code is designed to provide clear guidance on the design, construction, and alteration of buildings to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. For those unfamiliar with the FBC Accessibility, Chapters 1 and 2 establish the foundation of the code, outlining its scope, enforcement, and specific scoping requirements that determine where accessibility features are required.
Chapter 1: Scope and Administration
Chapter 1 establishes the purpose and authority of the FBC - Accessibility. The purpose of this code is to provide minimum requirements to ensure accessibility to buildings and facilities for individuals with disabilities. This includes provisions that address structural strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, and safety from hazards.
The code applies to all new and altered buildings and facilities, including public and private structures. Places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government buildings must comply with these regulations to ensure that accessibility is integrated into all aspects of construction and renovation.
Building officials play a critical role in enforcing the FBC - Accessibility. While local jurisdictions do not enforce federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Fair Housing Act (FHA) directly, they are responsible for enforcing state and local codes that often mirror federal standards. Compliance with the FBC - Accessibility generally ensures alignment with ADA and FHA requirements, but ultimate responsibility for compliance remains with property owners, developers, and design professionals.
Chapter 1 also provides details on the responsibilities of building officials, including the review of plans, issuance of permits, and conducting inspections to verify compliance. The authority of the building official includes approving alternative designs that meet the intent of the accessibility requirements and ensuring that existing buildings undergoing alterations are brought into compliance as required by the code.
Chapter 2: Scoping Requirements
Chapter 2 provides the scoping requirements that determine which spaces and elements within a building must be accessible. These requirements apply to both new construction and alterations to existing buildings, specifying where accessibility features such as accessible routes, entrances, parking spaces, and restrooms are required. The chapter covers a broad range of facility types and design elements, ensuring that accessibility is addressed comprehensively across different building uses.
The following is a list of all sections within Chapter 2:
201 Application
202 Existing Buildings and Facilities
203 General Exceptions
204 Protruding Objects
205 Operable Parts
206 Accessible Routes
207 Accessible Means of Egress
208 Parking Spaces
209 Passenger Loading Zones and Bus Stops
210 Stairways
211 Drinking Fountains
212 Kitchens, Kitchenettes, and Sinks
213 Toilet Facilities and Bathing Facilities
214 Washing Machines and Clothes Dryers
215 Fire Alarm Systems
216 Signs
217 Telephones
218 Transportation Facilities
219 Assistive Listening Systems
220 Automatic Teller Machines and Fare Machines
221 Dressing, Fitting, and Locker Rooms
222 Judicial Facilities
223 Detention Facilities
224 Social Service Center Establishments
225 Medical Care and Long-Term Care Facilities
226 Assembly Areas
227 Sales and Service
228 Storage
229 Depositories, Vending Machines, Change Machines, and Fuel Dispensers
230 Windows
231 Two-Way Communication Systems
232 Court Sports Facilities
233 Play Areas
234 Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas
235 Shooting Facilities with Firing Positions
236 Miscellaneous
237 Amusement Rides
238 Recreational Boating Facilities
239 Exercise Machines and Equipment
240 Fishing Piers and Platforms
241 Golf Facilities
242 Miniature Golf Facilities
243 Playgrounds
These sections establish where accessibility is required within various types of buildings and facilities, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equitable access to public spaces, housing, recreational areas, and essential services.
Understanding Chapters 1 and 2 of the FBC - Accessibility is essential for building officials, architects, contractors, and property owners to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. By enforcing these regulations, local jurisdictions help create environments that are inclusive and accessible to all individuals, supporting equal access and usability across Florida’s built environment.