Product Approval Regulation in Florida is governed by Florida Administrative Code 553.842
Within this Florida Statute is Rule 61G20-3: Product Approvals (2020 FBC)
These requirements can be found on the Florida website http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/building-codes-and-standards/statutes-and-rules/
Product Categories
Per Rule 61G20-3, State approval is optional and only applicable to these product categories for habitable structures:
(a) Panel Walls
(b) Exterior Doors
(c) Roofing Products
(d) Skylights
(e) Windows
(f) Shutters
(g) Structural Components
(h) Impact Protective Systems.
(2) This rule applies to the approval of products and systems, which comprise the building envelope and structural frame, for compliance with the structural requirements of the Florida Building Code.
Florida Product Approval Application Methods
There are (2) methods for submitting a product evaluation to the State of Florida as defined by 61g20-3
(1) Method 1. Products specifically addressed in the Code through performance criteria and standard test methods or standard comparative or rational analysis methods, which cannot be approved through the plan review and inspection process, shall demonstrate compliance with the Code through one of the following:
(a) A certification mark or listing from an approved certification agency indicating that the product is in compliance with the Code. Indication of compliance shall be by certification to standards adopted by the Code.
(b) A test report from an approved testing laboratory, which identifies which products are covered by the test report and provides verifiable documentation indicating the product tested complies with the Code.
(c) An evaluation report from an approved product evaluation entity that covers the subject product and, based upon standard tests or standard comparative or rational analysis, or a combination thereof, indicates that the product was evaluated to be in compliance with the Code and that the product is, for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to that required by the Code.
(d) An evaluation report from a Florida Registered Architect or a licensed Florida Professional Engineer developed and signed and sealed, based upon standard tests or standard comparative or rational analysis, or a combination thereof and indicates that the product was evaluated to be in compliance with the Code and that the product is, for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to that required by the Code.
(e) Rational engineering analysis cannot be used in lieu of a standard test required by the Code for approval of products within the scope of the standard, except that project-specific approval by the local authorities having jurisdiction in accordance with alternate methods and materials authorized in the Code.
(f) A legacy report from a nationally recognized model code organization may be used if the report demonstrates compliance with the Code.
(g) Products required to demonstrate compliance using referenced testing standard(s) and also requiring rational analysis that falls outside the scope of the agency certificate designating product certification, must demonstrate compliance using an evaluation report from an approved evaluation entity.
(2) Method 2. Products for which there are no specific standardized tests or comparative or rational analysis methods of evaluation established as required by the Code shall demonstrate compliance with the intent of the Code through one of the following:
(a) An evaluation report from an approved product evaluation entity and provides verifiable documentation indicating the product complies with the intent of the Code.
(b) An evaluation report from a Florida Registered Architect or a licensed Florida Professional Engineer based on testing or comparative or rational analysis or combination thereof, which provides verifiable documentation indicating the product complies with the intent of the Code.
(c) Rational engineering analysis cannot be used in lieu of a standard test required by the Code for approval of products within the scope of the standard, except that project-specific approval by the local authorities having jurisdiction in accordance with alternate methods and materials authorized in the Code.
(d) A legacy report from a nationally recognized model Code organization may be used if the report demonstrates compliance with the code.
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