This hearing will consider public input on the proposed changes to the above-referenced rules.

Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

Division of State Fire Marshal

RULE NOS.:         RULE TITLES:

69A-73.001          Definitions Energy Storage Systems

69A-72.002          Energy Storage Systems

69A-73.003          Powered Micromobility Devices

69A-73.004          Protective Systems and Designs

69A-73.005           Storage of Wrecked or Inoperable Electric Vehicles

69A-73.006           Parking or Storage of Electric Vehicles within a Special Flood Hazard Area During a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning

69A-73.007           Conflicts

The Department of Financial Services announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: November 7, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m.

PLACE: PLACE: This workshop will be held in-person and by GoToMeeting.

In-person at: FFMIA conference located at Hilton Melbourne, 200 Rialto Place, Melbourne, Florida 32901

And by GoToMeeting: Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/626020717

You can also dial in using your phone. United States (Toll Free): 1(866)899-4679, United States: (571)317-3116, Access Code: 626-020-717

Join from a video-conferencing room or system. Dial in or type: 67.217.95.2 or inroomlink.goto.com, Meeting ID: 626 020 717 or dial directly: 626020717@67.217.95.2 or 67.217.95.2##626020717. 

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: This workshop will consider public input on the proposed changes to the above-referenced rule chapter. 

Proposed Rule Text:

69A-73.001 Definitions

Approved- Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)- An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.

Battery- One or more cells connected together electrically in series, parallel, or both, to provide the required operating voltage and current levels.

Electric Vehicle (EV)- An automotive-type vehicle for on-road use, such as passenger automobiles, buses, trucks, vans, neighborhood electric vehicles, and electric motorcycles, primarily powered by an electric motor that draws current from a rechargeable storage battery, fuel cell, photovoltaic array, or other source of electric current. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are electric vehicles having a second source of motive power. 

Electric Vehicle Power Export Equipment (EVPE)- The equipment, including the outlet on the vehicle, that is used to provide electrical power at voltages greater than or equal to 30 Vac or 60 Vdc to loads external to the vehicle, using the vehicle as the source of supply.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)- Equipment for plug-in charging, including the ungrounded, grounded, and equipment grounding conductors, and the electric vehicle connectors, attachment plugs, personnel protection system, and all other fittings, devices, power outlets, or apparatus installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and the electric vehicle.

Micromobility Device, Powered- Motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, or other personal transportation devices powered by lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries.

Wireless Power Transfer Equipment (WPTE)- Equipment installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and the electric vehicle without physical electrical contact.

69A-73.002 Energy Storage Systems

The NFPA 855, 2023 Edition, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and any referenced publications therein shall apply except as modified in the NFPA 855, 2023 Edition, 4.8.2.2 Multiple panels shall be aggregated to an interface, master or annunciator panel at a location approved by the AHJ.

69A-73.003 Powered Micromobility Devices

(1)    Powered micromobility devices shall be charged in accordance with this Rule.

(2)    In other than one-and two-family dwellings, when more than five powered micromobility devices or batteries are charged inside or within 10 ft of a building or structure, the AHJ is authorized to require a permit in accordance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

(3)    Powered micromobility devices and batteries for such devices shall be charged in accordance with their listing and the manufacturer’s instructions using either the original-equipment-manufacturer-supplied listed charging equipment or listed charging equipment specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.

(4)  Powered micromobility devices and battery packs shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2272, Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices, or UL 2849, Electrical Systems for eBikes, as applicable.

(5) Charging equipment for powered micromobility devices shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 4900, UL LLC Outline of Investigation for Micromobility Charging Equipment. 

(6)  Micromobility Device Battery Charging.

Battery charging for powered micromobility devices and batteries for such devices shall be in accordance with all of the following:

(a)     The charging equipment for each device shall be plugged directly into a listed receptacle;

(b)    Extension cords and relocatable power taps shall not be utilized;

(c)     Storage of combustible materials, combustible waste, or hazardous materials shall not be permitted within 10 ft (3 m) of the charging equipment; and

(d)    The charging operation shall not be located in any exit access corridor or exit enclosure.

(7) The assembly or reconditioning of a lithium-ion battery using cells removed from used lithium-ion batteries is prohibited.

(8) The sale or offer for sale of lithium-ion batteries or micromobility devices that do not comply with this rule is prohibited.

69A-73.004 Protective Systems and Designs

(1)  Effective January 1, 2026, automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 13  in all new parking structures.

(2)  Charging Station Installation of EVSE’s, EVPE’s, or WPTE’s shall be prohibited within 15 feet of any  fire hydrant or fire department connection.

(3)  Electric vehicle charging stations shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2202, Standard for   Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging System Equipment. 

(4) Electric vehicle supply equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2594, Standard  for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. 

(5) Wireless power transfer equipment for transferring power to an electric vehicle shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2750, UL Standard for Wireless Power Transfer Equipment for Electric Vehicles. 

(6) Electric vehicle power export equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 9741, Standard for Electric Vehicle Power Export Equipment (EVPE).

69A-73.005 Storage of Wrecked or Inoperable Electric Vehicles

(1)    Electric Vehicles with damaged, burned or potentially damaged or burned batteries shall not be stored or parked within 50 ft of a structure until the battery can be safely discharged by trained and qualified staff in accordance with the vehicle manufacture’s procedures. 

69A-73.006 Parking or Storage of Electric Vehicles and other energy storage systems within a Special Flood Hazard Area During a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning with potential storm surge threats.    

When a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning is issued for a Special Flood Hazard Area, as defined in the Florida Building Code, the local fire official shall coordinate the development and publication of electric vehicle and energy storage system precautions and mitigations efforts for stored or parked electric vehicles and energy storage systems within the Special Flood Hazard Area identified with a potential storm surge threat.

69A-73.007 Conflicts

(1)    Where there are conflicts in the standard provisions in this Rule and 69A-60, the Florida Fire Prevention Code; the provision that provides the greatest level of building, property protection and life safety, as determined by the AHJ shall apply.

(2)    Where there are conflicts between the referenced standards in this Rule and 69A-60, the Florida Fire Prevention Code, the most current edition of the reference standard shall apply.

The provisions of the current edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code shall apply to all aspects of Energy Storage Systems for Code and administrative provisions not covered by this Rule. 

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Elijah Flowers at, (850) 413-3731, or Elijah.Flowers@myfloridacfo.com

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop by contacting: Elijah Flowers at, (850) 413-3731, or Elijah.Flowers@myfloridacfo.com. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

 To view Notice of Hearing: https://sf01.myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/general-counsel-libraries/rulemaking/69a-73-11-7-workshop-notice.docx 

To view Rule Hearing Agenda:  https://sf01.myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/general-counsel-libraries/rulemaking/11-7-rule-workshop-agenda.docx 

Attorney: James Ross