CS for CS for SB 648 - Building Safety

• Authorizes home inspectors and mold-related services professionals to be licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, with grandfather provisions for existing practitioners applying by March 1, 2011

• Modifies elevator regulations to allow uniform lock boxes as an alternative method for emergency access and delays enforcement of Phase II Firefighters' Service requirements on existing residential elevators until July 1, 2015

• Revises building permit surcharge rates from per-square-foot calculations to 1.5 percent of permit fees, with funds split equally between the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund and Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board

• Establishes a Fire Code Interpretation Committee to provide expedited nonbinding interpretations of the Florida Fire Prevention Code within 10 business days and increases flexibility for fire equipment dealer licensing and fire protection system contractor qualifications

• Requires classroom units in public educational facilities to maintain an average of 40 foot-candles of illumination and directs state agencies to consider energy efficiency when constructing, leasing, or renovating buildings