Florida Product Approval

Florida Product Approval is the system the State of Florida uses to confirm that building products comply with the Florida Building Code. It is set out in Florida Statute 553.842 and administered under Florida Administrative Code Rule 61G20-3 by the Florida Building Commission. Approvals are published in an online database on floridabuilding.org, where each approved product receives an "FL" number (for example FL40569).

Which products are covered

The rule applies to products and systems that form the building envelope and structural frame. Statewide approval covers several categories for habitable structures, including roofing products, panel walls, exterior doors, windows, skylights, shutters, structural components and impact protective systems.

Statewide or local approval

Manufacturers can choose between two routes:

• Statewide approval – one approval accepted by building departments across Florida.
• Local approval – approval by the local building official for a specific jurisdiction or project.

In the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward counties), products must be approved specifically for HVHZ use, often through a Miami-Dade NOA.

Methods of compliance

Rule 61G20-3 describes several ways to show compliance:

• Method 1 – for products with standard tests in the code. Evidence can be a certification mark or listing from an approved certification agency, a test report from an approved laboratory, an evaluation report from an approved evaluation entity or a Florida-licensed engineer or architect, or a legacy report from a national model code organization.
• Method 2 – for products without a standard test method, using an evaluation report that shows the product meets the intent of the code.

Rational engineering analysis cannot be used in place of a test that the code requires, except where a local official approves an alternative for a specific project.

Roofing in practice

For a roof covering, the approval document usually lists the deck types, underlayment, fastener type and spacing, and design pressures for which the product is approved. Many Florida counties ask permit applicants to fill in a roofing product approval form listing the FL number for each component (covering, underlayment, flashing, vents). Inspectors compare the installed system with the approval.