The 9th Edition of the Florida Building Code is expected later this year. As the next code cycle approaches, several potential revisions may influence fire protection system design and code coordination throughout Florida.

Sarah Reiff Swan, Senior Fire Protection Consultant in RAN’s Florida office, recently authored a blog post outlining potential updates to the 9th Edition of the Florida Building Code. As a specialist in Florida Building and Fire Code, she highlights key areas design teams may want to monitor as the code cycle progresses. The following overview summarizes the 3 potential revisions she discussed.

1. Fire Protection Requirements for Parking Structures

The 9th Edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC), which adopts NFPA 1 and NFPA 101, is expected to incorporate new extinguishing requirements for parking structures.

If adopted as proposed, most new parking structures would require:

• An automatic sprinkler system
• A Class I standpipe system

The proposed provisions in the Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC) are more restrictive than those in the Florida Building Code (FBC).

Under the Florida Building Code, sprinklers are generally required only for enclosed parking structures or those exceeding three stories when stand-alone. The FFPC would expand sprinkler and standpipe requirements beyond those thresholds.

Architects and design teams must review both codes during early design; relying solely on the building code is not sufficient. Exceptions would be applied to private residential garages under 1000sqft and certain single-story open parking structures.

Given Florida’s continued growth and the amount of cars that can be anticipated as a result, early coordination between architectural, structural, and fire protection disciplines, particularly with experienced Florida fire protection engineers familiar with state and local code coordination

2. Updates Related to A2L Refrigerants

As A2L refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP) are adopted across the HVAC industry, the 9th Edition Florida Building Code proposes updates to better align regulatory requirements with the actual hazard level of these materials. Many A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable and are currently regulated under the same flammable gas provisions as more hazardous materials.
The proposed revisions introduce a more nuanced framework intended to differentiate between higher and lower hazard gases and to prevent unnecessarily restrictive storage limitations.

Key proposed updates include:

• Hazard-based flammable gas classifications
The definition of flammable gas would be subdivided into Class IA and Class IB categories based on relative flammability
• Adjusted maximum allowable quantities (MAQs)
Higher hazard gases would remain limited to 300 pounds per sprinklered control area. Lower hazard Class IB gases with low burning velocities may be permitted up to 20,000 pounds without triggering a high hazard occupancy classification.
• Verification of burning velocity
Because burning velocity is not typically listed on safety data sheets, manufacturer test documentation may be required to confirm proper classification.

3. Mass Timber Construction Considerations

Mass timber provisions were incorporated into the International Building Code beginning with the 2021 edition through new Type IV construction categories and refined in 2024. Florida has not historically adopted the full model code framework, and projects have often proceeded through alternative methods and materials pathways requiring coordination with local code officials.

The 9th Edition Florida Building Code presents an opportunity to formally incorporate these provisions, aligning Florida with established national standards. This is particularly relevant given that more than 25 mass timber projects have already been identified in Florida and the state’s lumber industry supports approximately $1.23 billion in annual sales. As adoption increases, clearer code direction will provide consistency in construction classification, fire resistance requirements, and fire protection system design.

Design teams considering mass timber should review proposed revisions and evaluate potential impacts on permitting and compliance

Planning for the 9th Edition Code Cycle

Staying ahead of Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code updates is critical for successful project delivery. Engaging experienced Florida fire protection engineering professionals early in design can help teams navigate evolving requirements and avoid costly redesigns during permitting.

RAN’s Florida team works with architects and developers across the state to support code analysis and fire protection design.