CS for SB 1190                                   First Engrossed
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       20221190e1
       
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to two-way radio communication
    3         enhancement systems; amending s. 633.202, F.S.;
    4         requiring the authority having jurisdiction to
    5         determine certain minimum radio signal strength
    6         requirements for all new and existing buildings;
    7         authorizing the use of two-way radio communication
    8         enhancement systems to comply with certain radio
    9         signal strength requirements in the Florida Fire
   10         Prevention Code; specifying that such systems or
   11         equivalent systems are not required in certain
   12         apartment buildings; requiring that owners of such
   13         apartment buildings provide certain documentation to
   14         the applicable authority; exempting existing high-rise
   15         buildings and high-rise apartment buildings from
   16         certain radio signal strength requirements until a
   17         specified date; requiring noncompliant high-rise
   18         buildings and high-rise apartment buildings to apply
   19         for specified permits by specified dates; providing an
   20         effective date.
   21          
   22  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   23  
   24         Section 1. Subsection (18) of section 633.202, Florida
   25  Statutes, is amended to read:
   26         633.202 Florida Fire Prevention Code.—
   27         (18) The authority having jurisdiction shall determine the
   28  minimum radio signal strength for fire department communications
   29  in all new high-rise and existing high-rise buildings. Two-way
   30  radio communication enhancement systems or equivalent systems
   31  may be used to comply with the minimum radio signal strength
   32  requirements. However, two-way radio communication enhancement
   33  systems or equivalent systems are not required in apartment
   34  buildings 75 feet or less in height that are constructed using
   35  wood framing, provided that the building has less than 150
   36  dwelling units and that all dwelling units discharge to the
   37  exterior or to a corridor that leads directly to an exit as
   38  defined by the Florida Building Code. Evidence of wood frame
   39  construction shall be shown by the owner providing building
   40  permit documentation which identifies the construction type as
   41  wood frame. Existing high-rise buildings as defined by the
   42  Florida Building Code are not required to comply with minimum
   43  radio strength for fire department communications and two-way
   44  radio communication enhancement systems system enhancement
   45  communications as required by the Florida Fire Prevention Code
   46  until January 1, 2025. However, by January 1, 2024, an existing
   47  high-rise building that is not in compliance with the
   48  requirements for minimum radio strength for fire department
   49  communications must apply for an appropriate permit for the
   50  required installation with the local government agency having
   51  jurisdiction and must demonstrate that the building will become
   52  compliant by January 1, 2025. Existing high-rise apartment
   53  buildings are not required to comply until January 1, 2025.
   54  However, existing high-rise apartment buildings are required to
   55  apply for the appropriate permit for the required communications
   56  installation by January 1, 2024.
   57         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.