One of my jobs in the fire service was plans review, and inspections on-site. The adopted version of the codes always lagged a bit behind the calendar. However, the MI materials and trades people seem like they have a powerful lobby, to be 10 years in-arrears.
In annual continuing education classes, here in FL, you would get enough CEU's to keep current your licensure. The presenters would often be those same materials and trade persons. The current adopted code is a performance-based code, which provides flexibility in meeting the standards.
One of the ongoing debacles in FL has been lack of adopting in the fire code the retro-fit of sprinklers in buildings. I'm retired and have been for years, but haven't kept-abreast of the current state of things.
The below is from the link posted:
Building Codes in Florida: 1970s to Hurricane Andrew
In 1974, Florida adopted a state minimum building code law requiring all local governments to adopt and enforce a building code that would ensure minimum standards for the public’s health and safety. Four separate model codes were available that local governments could consider and adopt. In that system, the state’s role was limited to adopting all or relevant parts of new editions of the four model codes. Local governments could amend and enforce their local codes as they desired. When Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida in 1992, it revealed the deficiencies of the state’s existing building code compliance and enforcement processes. Andrew broke all records for insurance losses, and was the direct cause of Florida’s worst insurance crisis in history. It became obvious that building codes and their administration and enforcement was a statewide issue with statewide implications. Poor compliance or enforcement in a single county could wreak havoc with homeowners, developers and commercial interests in every corner of the state.
Creation of a Statewide Florida Building Code
In 1996, the Florida Building Code Study Commission was appointed to review the system of local codes created by the 1974 law and to make recommendations for modernizing the entire system. During 16 months of study, what the Commission found was a complex and confusing patchwork system of codes and regulations, developed, amended, administered and enforced differently by more than 400 local jurisdictions and state agencies with building code responsibilities. One of the most pressing issues identified was compliance. Commission recommendations called for strengthened compliance through greater predictability and accountability in the building code system. The reforms proposed included a streamlined uniform family of codes, strengthened administration and enforcement of codes and enhanced compliance with codes through education, training and discipline. The 1998 Legislature adopted the Study Commission’s recommendations and amended Chapter 553, Florida Statures, Building Construction Standards to create a single minimum standard building code that is enforced by local governments. As of March 1, 2002, the Florida Building Code, which is developed and maintained by the Florida Building Commission, supersedes all local building codes.
The Florida Building Code is updated every three years and may be amended annually to incorporate interpretations and clarifications.
The entire document above shows a history of building codes in the State of FL and also the processes of adoption of the code after deliberation and consensus agreement on the code. At the end, studies are cited where the building code is examined for economy, effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness. The primary example of responsiveness is what happened after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The devastation to the state of FL created an incentive by the State of FL to study what needed revision, and then to do it. Florida's building code subsequently became one of the strongest in the nation, and in the accomplishment of that, it changed from a prescriptive code to a performance-based code.
One of the tools used in the State of FL to test the methods of construction and the materials used or those proposed to be used is this tool at my alma mater, the state university branch in Miami. The acronym is especially apt: WOW, the Wall of Wind
www.mlive.com