Page 29 - Lesson 1 Use, Occupancy, and Construction_v4.0

Lesson 01

Use, Occupancy, and Construction

(2014 Florida Building Code, Section 503)

Automatic Sprinkler System Increase

If the building is equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system, then the
maximum allowed height of the building is increased by 20 feet, and the maximum
number of stories is increased by one. The maximum allowable area for a structure
can also be modified according to the formula in Sections 506.2 and 506.3 if an

approved automatic sprinkler has been installed. Section 506.2, Frontage Increase,
allows for an area increase based on the building’s perimeter, as you can see in the
following text.

Section 506.2 states the following verbatim:

Every building shall adjoin or have access to a public way to receive a building area

increase for frontage. Where a building has more than 25 percent of its perimeter
on a public way or open space having a width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm),
the frontage increase shall be determined in accordance with Equation 5-2:

where:

If = Area increase due to frontage.
F = Building perimeter that fronts on a public way or open space having 20 feet
(6096 mm) open minimum width (feet).

P = Perimeter of entire building (feet).
W = Width of public way or open space (feet) in accordance with Section 506.2.1.

26