Post Image

All manufacturers selling products in the state of Florida should be advised that changes are coming soon to the Florida Building Code (FBC). The code development cycle for the next edition of the FBC - 7th Edition (2020) is almost wrapped up, and as of this blog post writing, it is currently scheduled to go into effect on December 31, 2020. All fenestration manufacturers with current product approvals must have them reapproved under the new code. While these changes mean action must be taken by manufacturers, FGIA is here to help.

While implementing changes may take time, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) will allow manufacturers to begin updating their product approvals on July 1, 2020 -- six months before the code goes into effect. There are two ways to update a product approval:

  1. Self-Affirmation: If the standards and restrictions in the new code applicable to a product have not changed, then the manufacturer can “self-affirm” that the product complies with applicable standards of the new code. Manufacturers are encouraged to contact DBPR staff before using this option to ensure it can be used on the product approval.
  2. Revision to an existing approval: If the standards or restrictions pertaining to the product have changed, then the application must be updated. The approval documents (certification agency certificate, installation details, evaluation report, etc.) must be updated. New testing may also be required.


FGIA members and licensees should also be aware that several older versions of standards and specifications currently used in product approvals are being sunset from the 2020 version of the code, while several updated documents have been added. Here are some of the most common used in fenestration product approvals:

  • Windows, doors and skylights
    • Removed: AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97, NAFS-02 and NAFS-05
    • Remaining: NAFS-08 and -11
    • New: NAFS-17
  • Curtain walls, skylights and sloped glazing
    • Removed: AAMA 501-94 and -05
    • Remaining: AAMA 501-15
  • Impact
    • Removed: AAMA 506-11; ASTM E1886-02 and -05; E1996-05, -06 and -09
    • Remaining: ASTM E1886-12 and -13a; E1996- 12a and -14a
    • New: AAMA 506-16 and ASTM E1996-17
  • Load Resistance of glass in buildings (ASTM E1300)
    • Remaining: ASTM E1300-04e01, -07e01, -09e and -12AE1
    • New: ASTM E1300-16
  • ASCE 7
    • Removed: ASCE 7-10
    • Added: ASCE 7-16


All members and licensees are encouraged to take a careful look at these changes. Any company with product approvals referencing standards or specifications removed from the 2020 code will be required to update their approval documentation.

Again, this may require new testing. Another option that may be available is to obtain letters of equivalence stamped by a registered Florida professional engineer (PE) showing that the testing to these older specifications still meet the requirements of the 2020 code. Reach out with questions in the comments below.