Florida Building Code Structural Design Requirements

Wind loads are the governing structural design condition for most Florida buildings. FBC Chapter 16 references ASCE 7 for wind load design. The design wind speed depends on the building location, risk category, and exposure category. For most residential buildings in coastal Southwest Florida, the design wind speed is 160–170 mph (ASCE 7-22 Risk Category II). Pineland Engineering performs complete wind load analyses for all Florida projects.

For buildings in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas, FBC Chapter 16 requires that flood loads be considered in the structural design. Flood loads include hydrostatic loads (the pressure of standing water), hydrodynamic loads (the force of moving water), wave action loads (for coastal structures), and debris impact loads. Pineland Engineering designs for flood loads per ASCE 7 Chapter 5 and ASCE 24.

Florida is in Seismic Design Category A or B for most of the state — the lowest seismic risk categories. Seismic design is not a governing condition for most Florida buildings, but FBC Chapter 16 still requires that seismic loads be considered. Pineland Engineering evaluates seismic design requirements for each project.