The effective date for the 2007 Florida Building Code is March 1, 2009. When the code becomes effective, a number of changes and a couple of new provisions will become effective as well.

One of the new provisions of interest will be the Micropile provisions added in section 1810.8. Micropiles are defined in the code as being 12 inches in diameter or less, bored, grouted-in-place piles incorporating steel pipe casing and/or steel reinforcements. There are now specific code provisions applicable to the design and installation of Micropiles which should help to eliminate inconsistencies in the designs.

Strengthened provisions include those requiring more information to be included on plans submitted for permit. Specifically section 1603 requires design loads and other information pertinent to the structural design be provided. Information such as: floor live load (both uniformly distributed and concentrated loads), roof live loads (both uniformly distributed and concentrated loads), wind design data (basic wind speed, wind importance factor, building wind exposure, enclosure classifications, internal pressure coefficient and components and cladding pressures in terms of psf).

Lastly, three new code sections were added to the section on Steel Joists: 2206.2, 2206.3, 2206.4,and 2206.5. These paragraphs clarify the responsibilities of the registered design professional and the joist engineer/specialty structural engineer. These new provisions require the steel joist industry to comply with a similar standard to that in effect for pre-engineered wood trusses, pre-stressed concrete, and pre-engineered metal buildings. The new code sections establish the responsibility for construction drawings, calculations, and certification.