Florida General Contractor Florida Building Codes 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Florida Building Code (FBC) is based on which model code as its foundation?
- The International Building Code (ICC) (Correct answer)
- The Uniform Building Code (UBC)
- The BOCA National Building Code
- The Standard Building Code (SBCCI)
Correct answer: The International Building Code (ICC)
The FBC is adapted from the International Code Council's family of codes, primarily the International Building Code.
Question 2: How often is the Florida Building Code updated to a new edition?
- Every year
- Every 3 years (Correct answer)
- Every 5 years
- Every 10 years
Correct answer: Every 3 years
Florida adopts a new edition of the Building Code on a three-year cycle.
Question 3: Which agency is primarily responsible for adopting and maintaining the Florida Building Code?
- The Florida Building Commission (Correct answer)
- The U.S. Department of Housing
- The Florida Bar Association
- OSHA
Correct answer: The Florida Building Commission
The Florida Building Commission oversees development, adoption, and amendment of the FBC.
Question 4: The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) provisions of the FBC apply specifically to which counties?
- Miami-Dade and Broward (Correct answer)
- Duval and Nassau
- Orange and Osceola
- Escambia and Santa Rosa
Correct answer: Miami-Dade and Broward
The HVHZ encompasses Miami-Dade and Broward counties, which face the strongest hurricane wind loads.
Question 5: Under the FBC, wind-borne debris protection is required primarily to safeguard against what hazard?
- Building envelope breach during hurricanes (Correct answer)
- Fire spread between structures
- Seismic ground movement
- Termite infestation
Correct answer: Building envelope breach during hurricanes
Impact-resistant openings prevent the building envelope from being breached, which can cause pressurization and roof failure in high winds.
Question 6: Which volume of the Florida Building Code specifically governs one- and two-family dwellings?
- FBC Residential (Correct answer)
- FBC Mechanical
- FBC Plumbing
- FBC Existing Building
Correct answer: FBC Residential
The FBC Residential volume covers detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories.
Question 7: A product's Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA primarily documents that the product has been tested for what?
- Compliance with wind and impact requirements (Correct answer)
- Energy efficiency ratings only
- Fire sprinkler flow rates
- ADA accessibility
Correct answer: Compliance with wind and impact requirements
Product approvals and Notices of Acceptance verify a product meets FBC structural, wind, and impact standards.
Florida General Contractor Florida Building Codes 2
The Florida Building Code (FBC) is based on which model code as its foundation?