Building Officials Association of Florida
Protecting Lives and Property since 1953

Interpretation #8733

Published February 23, 2023

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Original Request

Code Version
2021
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Chapter
Section
453.17.3
Topic
Requirement for Spare Capacity to existing electrical panels in renovations

Question

Is the intent of FBC 453.17.3 to require all electrical panels that are existing and are having circuitry added as part of a renovation to be increased in size or capacity if that circuitry lowers the available spare breakers below 20% or 10% spare capacity?

Answer Published 02/23/2023 at 1:19 PM

No

Commentary

It seems this section applies to new construction and that unless the work being done is classified as Alteration Level-2 or 3 in the FBC Existing, this section would not apply to an existing electrical panel where minor repair or alteration work is being performed. Alteration Level in the FBC Existing 1 does not have an "Electrical" section and the Repairs chapter-4 does not address this issue.