Interpretation #7851

Published November 03, 2016

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Original Request

Code Version
2014
Code
RESIDENT
Code Description
Chapter
Section
R202
Topic
Number of stories in a building

Question

If a space is designed to meet all requirements of the definition for "Attic, habitable" is that space counted as a story when quantifying the number of stories within a building?

Answer Published 11/03/2016 at 9:50 AM

No, the definition in the Residential volume of the Florida
Building Code is very specific. A space that meets the
definition of Attic, Habitable is not considered a story by
definition. If the space falls outside ANY of the criteria
found in the definition, then it is a story.

Commentary

This is not a contradiction in the code, it is a specific definition. The area of a habitable attic that is permitted by the definition to be not counted as a story may not exceed any of the qualifying requirements. If the area is larger, it may considered a story. If any of the 3 three requirements are not met, it will be considered a story.