Mike Silvers, CPRC, Owner, Silvers Systems Inc. and FRSA Technical Director
As 2024 comes to an end, I'd like to reflect on some of the challenges that we’ve faced this year and those we will face going forward. The year began, as it does every three years, with the adoption of a new version of the Florida Building Code (FBC). There was some confusion on the part of those who haven’t been able to keep up with the changes and, in many cases, even with those who have tried to. This stuff can be confusing and, at times, completely overwhelming. FRSA has tried to help by presenting code-related seminars and code presentations at our Convention and throughout the state, including at Affiliate meetings. We also produced code articles in this publication that covered these changes well in advance of the code’s effective date. We were also there to help many of our members who had questions about specific changes throughout the year. If you missed it, you can find many of these changes in “The New 2023 FBC Eighth Edition is Now in Effect. Questions? We Have Answers” in February's Florida Roofing Magazine (FRM) (www.floridaroof.com/FRM202402_FBC2023).
Even though we adopted the 2023 FBC Eighth Edition on the last day of 2023, it didn’t mean that our code work was done; far from it. We immediately started into the next code modification process for the 2026 FBC Ninth Edition. Our
Codes Committee adopted a series of proposed code modifications for the Codes Subcommittee to move forward with. These mods were outlined in “FRSA Codes Committee Recommends 2026 FBC Code Modifications” in the May issue of FRM (www.floridaroof.com/FRM202405_2026CodeMods). The article provided a preview of the changes FRSA hopes to make this cycle. After input from stakeholders and the Florida Building Commission’s Technical Advisory Committees (TACs), including the Roofing TAC, the Commission has nearly completed step one in amending the code. This step involves reviewing appropriate changes from the 2024 International Building Code and incorporating them into the 2026 FBC. We participate in or monitor all the pertinent meetings that are held as part of the adoption process. Early in 2025, the public submission portion of the modification process will begin. That is when FRSA will present our modifications and take positions on modifications submitted by others. Our thanks to the members of the Codes Subcommittee for the work they have already accomplished as well as for the work that lies ahead: thanks also to the members of all the TACs, Commissioners and Commission staff members for their continued dedication in a very arduous process.
This year's legislative session dealt with many issues that potentially impact the industry either positively or negatively. It isn’t just about the legislation that came out of the session but, just as importantly, it’s about the bad bills that were suppressed. I will mention just a few of them here. We were able to help kill a very bad bill that would have required escrow accounts for all reroof projects. We offered changes to eliminate reroofing in a consumer warranty bill. We helped with language in statute to expand the types of roofs designated as “hurricane protection.” Another major accomplishment this session was adding “roofing contractor” to the list of “authorized inspectors” who can perform roof inspections for the 15 year plus 5 year prohibition that addresses the refusal to issue or renew property insurance based solely on the age of the roof that is in Florida Statutes 627.7011(5)(a-e). This is the first time that roofing contractors have specifically been referenced in one of the state’s lists of authorized inspectors. Hopefully, this is another step towards roofing contractors being recognized for our expertise.
We were also able to make some positive changes to the onerous provisions of the 10-day contract cancellation language that was adopted. It was originally proposed to be 30 days without any of the added language regarding what constitutes an “official start date.” We will attempt to make some tweaks to the language and, along the way, question its necessity entirely. The article “The New 10-Day Contract Cancellation Clause to Repair or Replace a Roof” appeared in September's FRM (www.floridaroof.com/FRM202409_10DayClause). The topic was also covered recently by Ben Lute, Adams and Reese LLP, in “'Check My Contract' Program in Wake of Hurricane-Related Insurance
Claims” (www.floridaroof.com/CheckMyContract), which explains how the Florida contract review program will work.
Property insurance will almost certainly be a major topic during the 2025 legislative session as well as many other bills addressing areas of concern for our industry. FRSA’s representation in Tallahassee is in good hands with Chris Dawson of GrayRobinson, P.A. Chris will be coordinating efforts with our leadership throughout the session and beyond to establish our positions.
Another issue that we have been working on is attempting to expand the scope of a roofing contractor’s license to include the ability to strengthen roof-to-wall connections when performing a roof replacement. These mitigation improvements only address buildings permitted before 2002, when the FBC was implemented. An article in the August issue of FRM, “The Importance of Addressing Roof-to-Wall Connections” (www.floridaroof.com/FRM202408_RTW), addresses the subject. We are working on this effort with International the Association of Certified Home Inspectors, Inc. that is performing inspections for the My Safe Florida Home program. A joint position statement was produced and adopted by both organizations. You can read it on page 16. William Rabb, of the influential insurance publication Insurance Journal, recently reported on the issue in “Would Letting Roofers Do More Wind-Mit Work Help Cut Florida’s
Insured Losses?" (www.floridaroof.com/ij20241104). We will be working together with all interested parties to hopefully bring this important goal to fruition.
These are just a few of the challenges that we know we will be working on. Rest assured there will be many that we aren’t aware of yet. FRSA is fortunate to have a strong core of volunteers, representatives and staff who have guided us through the past year as well as in previous years. We should be proud of what we accomplish together. As an organization, we will continue to move our industry’s goals forward and try our best to defeat objectionable requirements or at least work to mitigate those we can’t stop. I want to thank our members and our staff for the support and help they offer throughout the year. It is a privilege to represent this organization. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mike Silvers, CPRC, is owner of Silvers Systems Inc., and is consulting with FRSA as Director of Technical Services. Mike is an FRSA Past President, Life Member, and Campanella Award recipient and brings over 50 years of industry knowledge and experience to FRSA’s team.
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