Orlando, Florida requires rigorous documentation and detailing of residential fenestration U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for code-compliant plans, reflecting the mandates of the Florida Building Code (FBC) 8th Edition (2023) and specific workflow expectations from the City of Orlando’s Building Division. Each stage-from drafting compliance notes on cover sheets through to jobsite inspections-demands technical precision in how windows, doors, and skylights are specified and annotated.

FBC Energy Code 2023 Section R402.1.2: Constructing General Compliance Notes and Mandatory Energy Information on Orlando Plans

Prescriptive Fenestration Requirements for Climate Zone 2 (Orlando)

Orlando is located in Climate Zone 2 under the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 8th Edition (2023), which adopts and amends the 2021 IECC. Table R402.1.2 sets explicit residential fenestration performance requirements for this zone:

  • Maximum Fenestration U-Factor: 0.40
  • Maximum Skylight U-Factor: 0.65
  • Maximum Glazed Fenestration SHGC: 0.25

(FBC-EC Ch. 4, Table R402.1.2) These thresholds are not optional. Every unit of glazed fenestration-whether manufactured or site-built-must be documented with performance at or above these benchmarks, and this documentation must be explicit in the permit set.

Drafting General Notes, Energy Code Summary Boxes, and References

The City of Orlando expects architects and drafters to anchor energy code compliance in highly visible parts of the permit set:

  • General Notes Area (A-001):
    • Code Adoption: “All work to comply with Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 8th Edition (2023) and local City of Orlando Amendments.”
    • Climate Zone Reference: “Energy code parameters per FBC 2023, Climate Zone 2 (Orlando).”
    • Fenestration Compliance: “All fenestration U-factors shall be 0.40 or less; SHGCs 0.25 or less. See E-001 and A-301 for schedule and details.”
  • Energy Code Compliance Box (prominent on A-001 or E-001):
    • Table format summarizing key requirements, e.g.:
      • Fenestration U-Factor: ≤ 0.40
      • Skylight U-Factor: ≤ 0.65
      • Glazed SHGC: ≤ 0.25
      • Ceiling R-Value: R-38
      • Wood Frame Wall R-Value: R-13
      • Floor R-Value: R-13
    • Asterisked notes as needed: “*R-values per Table R402.1.2 FBC-EC. Second R-value applies if >50% insulation on mass wall interior.”
  • Code Citations:
    • Examples:
      • “Complies with FBC-EC 2023, Chapter 4, Section R402.1.2.”
      • “Fenestration per FBC Energy Conservation Section R402.3.”

These summary boxes and compliance notes are more than boilerplate-they are required markers for plan reviewers and become the primary source for later field verification. On resubmittals and during inspections, any lack of detail, or omission of the explicit code edition or performance values, is swiftly redlined.

Placement and Sheet Convention

  • A-001 (Cover Sheet): Place the general energy code note and compliance box at the top right, adjacent to project and code summary information. It is standard to bold the table header and highlight the climate zone/city.
  • E-001 (Energy/Compliance Sheet): For projects with extensive performance path documentation, a standalone sheet is expected-here, fenestration and insulation tabulations must be unambiguous, tied directly to the performance path analysis or REScheck output (see following section).

The City of Orlando plan reviewers routinely cite missing, insufficient, or outdated energy compliance notes as grounds for permit correction. Typical comments include: “A-001: Energy summary table missing fenestration performance,” or, “Update all code references to FBC 8th Edition (2023).”

Drawing-Sheet Call-Outs, Details, and Specifications

  • Call-outs on Sheets: Every window and door tag shall indicate “U-____, SHGC-____ (per schedule)” either as a suffix or in direct reference. Schedules (A-301/A-302) must match the code box data.
  • Insulation Material Schedule: Adjacent to the fenestration compliance box, list insulation by type, thickness, and corresponding R-value (“Closed cell spray foam, R-6/inch, 3” thick at roof deck, see Detail A6/E-002 for continuity at window head”).

Building Comprehensive Fenestration Schedules in Architectural Sheets: Format, Data Columns, and NFRC Certification

Structure and Content of Schedules (A-301/A-302)

Orlando’s plan reviewers and field inspectors expect highly granular window, door, and skylight schedules. These typically appear on A-301 (Window Schedule) and A-302 or A-303 (Door, Skylight Schedules).

Each schedule row should contain:

  • Mark: Window/door/skylight identifier (e.g., W1, W2, D1)
  • Type Description: (e.g., Casement, Fixed, Sliding Door)
  • Location/Elevation Reference: Plan grid key or elevation mark
  • Quantity: Number of identical units
  • Manufacturer: Name and model number
  • Product Data Sheet Ref: Manufacturer cut-sheet identifier or online link
  • Frame Material: (E.g., thermally broken aluminum, vinyl, composite)
  • Glazing Type: (E.g., Double insulated, low-E, argon fill, tempered)
  • Dimensions: Daylight opening/rough opening (width x height, in inches or mm)
  • NFRC Label: “Yes/No” or the NFRC certificate number
  • U-factor: To two decimal places, matching NFRC label (e.g., 0.32)
  • SHGC: To two decimal places, matching NFRC label (e.g., 0.23)
  • Orientation: N/E/S/W (important for performance path and plan review in some zoning overlays)
  • Remarks: Custom or field conditions; e.g., “Site-built, see Note 15,” or “Meets FBC Sec. R402.1.2”

Referencing NFRC Certification and Manufacturer Documentation

For all factory-built fenestration, Orlando requires U-factor and SHGC values sourced from valid NFRC certification per IRC Section R303.1.3. If products are not NFRC-labeled, default values from FBC Table R303.1.3(1) (significantly less favorable) must be assigned and flagged in remarks. Schedules should reference the specific data sheet reviewed (“Jeld-Wen Siteline, DP-35, Spec Sheet JW2341, NFRC: CERT1234567”). Providing the actual product data as part of the permit set or during field inspection is standard practice in Orlando, preventing costly field substitutions or post-permit resubmissions.

Addressing Specialty or Custom Fenestration

For site-built, oversized, or high-performance custom units, insert detailed remarks and, if necessary, link to enlarged details or supplemental sheets. Example: “Custom radius window at Entry; U-0.38/SHGC-0.22 per NFRC simulation; field label to be provided prior to final inspection. See Detail A6/A-901.” If performance path exceptions or FBC Section R402.3.4 compliance is used for ornamental glazing or special assemblies, document rationale and reference applicable code exemptions, with explicit plan notes.

Common Plan Review Comments and Sheet Linking

  • “A-301: Window schedule missing U-factor/SHGC in columns 8 and 9.”
  • “D-302: Manufacturer/model not identified for all door types; provide cut-sheets for each.”
  • “Schedule and elevations do not match-coordinate window tags.”

Link each schedule mark directly to plan call-outs (e.g., W1 tags on A-101 Floor Plan and 2/A-401 Elevation) and note any discrepancies with clouds and delta references as part of resubmittals.

Translating REScheck Output and Performance Path Results to Orlando Permit Sets

REScheck as Proof of Energy Compliance

Many fast-track residential submittals in Orlando utilize the REScheck tool for documenting energy conservation compliance, especially for new construction and major additions. Orlando accepts REScheck reports because they align with FBC, Energy Conservation, as long as report data strictly match the permit set-discrepancies trigger review delays.

Critical Data Points to Extract and Incorporate

  • Total Fenestration Area: Present the total window/skylight/glazed-door area as a project metric on A-001 and E-001. Example note: “Total glazed area = 293 sf (10.2% of conditioned floor area, per REScheck).”
  • Weighted Average U-factor/SHGC: REScheck outputs must be summarized as a table in the compliance sheet, matching values in the fenestration schedule. Example: “Weighted average U=0.33; SHGC=0.21.”
  • Insulation R-values by Assembly: Tabulate each assembly (roof, wall, floor, slab edge) and its corresponding R-value as used in the REScheck report.
  • HVAC/Mechanical Equipment Efficiency: If included in REScheck, list SEER and HSPF for each mechanical system in mechanical schedules and energy summary box on E-001.

Physical Placement of REScheck Data

  • Dedicated Energy Compliance/REScheck Summary Sheet (E-001):
    • Include: Project address, jurisdiction, FBC edition, REScheck report date/ID, summary tables, signature block for designer of record or energy professional.
    • Reference: “Compliance path supported by REScheck, report attached. All product information to match schedule and manufacturer cut-sheets.”
  • Cross-referencing with Other Sheets: A-001 general notes should reference the E-001 compliance sheet and vice versa; fenestration schedule marks must be consistent across all documentation and with the REScheck fenestration breakdown.

Addressing Common Plan Review Discrepancies

  • “Window U-factors in fenestration schedule do not match those in submitted REScheck report. Revise documents for consistency.”
  • “Total glazed area shown on drawings exceeds value modeled in REScheck-update one or both.”
  • “Insulation type and thickness not consistent between REScheck input and wall section details.”

Resolving REScheck/drawing mismatches requires updated documentation on both the plans and revised REScheck reports-simply updating one or the other is insufficient for approval in Orlando’s workflow.

Responding to Common Orlando Redlines for Fenestration U-factor/SHGC Compliance

Frequent Plan Review Comments and Correction Strategies

  • “U-factor/SHGC not provided”
    • Action: Update the fenestration schedule to include explicit U-factor and SHGC columns, drawing values from actual NFRC labels or, if unavailable, code default values (see IRC Section R303.1.3).
    • Supplement: Add a project note: “All fenestration to be NFRC-labeled or assigned code default per Table R303.1.3(1)/(3).”
  • “Fenestration schedule incomplete”
    • Action: Complete all rows/columns of window and door schedules-each instance must show dimension, location, orientation, U-factor, SHGC, frame/glass type, and NFRC indicator.
    • Clarify: Tag each plan and elevation call-out to the corresponding schedule mark; use clouding and a delta note for all revisions.
  • “REScheck data mismatch”
    • Action: Rigorously cross-reference fenestration, insulation, and mechanical data between permit set and REScheck output. Update both where changes occur; note in resubmittal transmittal “All fenestration, insulation, HVAC data coordinated with revised REScheck report, dated [date].”

Key Drawing Note and Detail Additions for Correction

  • General Note Example (A-001, E-001):
    • “All windows, doors, and skylights specified in this submittal have U-factor ≤ 0.40 and SHGC ≤ 0.25, with NFRC labeling per FBC Energy Conservation Sec. R402.1.2. Provide labels for inspector verification.”
  • Detail Annotation (A-701):
    • “Flash and insulate perimeter of all window and door rough openings per Detail 5/A-701. Air seal joint with backer rod and sealant to comply with FBC Energy and achieve specified U-factor/SHGC.”

Redline Resolution Conventions and Submission Best Practices

  • Use standard delta (Δ) symbols and clouding around every revision area; note “Rev. 1-response to City of Orlando redline dated [date].”
  • Include transmittal with explicit crosswalk of each review comment and corresponding sheet/detail revision.
  • Ensure all markups are cleanly integrated-strikethroughs and manual “addendum” notes are grounds for re-rejection in digital submittals.

Jobsite Implementation: Installer and Inspector Guidance for Fenestration U-factor/SHGC Compliance

Drawing Notes and Call-Outs for Installation and Field Verification

  • Legend/Key Example (A-601):
    • “Window/door tags (e.g., W1) refer to schedule A-301 for required U-factor/SHGC.”
    • “All specified fenestration to be NFRC-certified; installer to verify label prior to install and retain for inspector.”
  • General Field Note (A-002):
    • “Installer responsibilities: 1) Verify delivered product matches plan schedule, 2) Retain NFRC labels on all glazed assemblies until inspector sign-off, 3) Provide manufacturer cut-sheet upon request (see schedule for model reference).”
  • E-Series Notes (E-001):
    • “For any field substitution of fenestration products, prior approval and updated performance documentation are required before installation.”
    • “Installer to confirm all glazing meets minimum SHGC ≤ 0.25 and U-factor ≤ 0.40. Any field-measured performance less than specified will require product replacement at contractor’s expense.”

Manufacturer Product Data and Label Verification

City of Orlando inspectors will request NFRC labels remain affixed to every window, door, and skylight at final inspection. Explicit plan notes are required to reinforce this process:

  • “NFRC certification labels must be visible on all installed fenestration at time of final inspection; do not remove until inspector approval (per FBC Energy Conservation Sec. R402.1.2, C303.1.3).”
  • “Store a hard copy of each product’s NFRC certificate and performance data at the jobsite for inspector reference.”

Installation Details Supporting Energy Performance

Proper installation is critical for realizing the specified U-factor and SHGC performance in the field. Drawing details must address:

  • Flashing:
    • Details (e.g., 3/A-701) showing pan flashing, WRB integration, sloped sill, and backdam at all rough openings.
    • Specification: “Self-adhered membrane flashing at jambs/sills, integrated with WRB. All fasteners sealed. End dams at rough opening heads.”
  • Air Sealing:
    • “Apply backer rod and low-expansion foam sealant between rough opening and frame perimeter. Tape exterior joint; strike with continuous interior bead of sealant.”
    • Detail callout: “See A-701, Details 4 & 5, for air seal continuity at head, jamb, and sill.”
  • Perimeter Insulation:
    • “Install R-5 rigid insulation as thermal break at rough opening returns for plan section X-X/A-901.”

These details are not optional for code compliance. Inspectors are empowered to fail inspections where poor installation compromises energy performance-even if product labels are correct. Drawings must guide installers with explicit standard notes: “Installed window/door U-factor and SHGC per schedule and manufacturer’s installation guide; maintain air barrier integrity at all penetrations.”

Conclusion

Accurate, code-cited documentation of fenestration U-factor and SHGC is foundational for compliant Orlando residential permit sets and successful inspections. City of Orlando reviewers insist on explicit, granular data in every schedule, call-out, and detail; redline resolution workflows demand revision discipline and cross-sheet consistency. On the jobsite, plan notes and labeled details empower installers and inspectors alike to verify and deliver the performance promised on the construction documents. Kingsway Drafting & Design brings a mastery of these technical details-sheet to field-to every Florida residential project.