Freedom Code Compliance
Commercial

Commercial HVAC Changeout

Replacement of an existing commercial, apartment, or condo HVAC unit without new concealed ductwork.

Last updated: Sep 29, 2026

Section 1

Required Documents

Submit these with your initial project package.

Always required

  • AHRI Certification Sheet
    AHRI performance certification showing matched system ratings for the replacement HVAC equipment
  • Construction Plans
    HVAC plans for the equipment change. Plans prepared by a Florida-registered architect or engineer carry that professional's seal. Plans prepared by a contractor or owner are accepted without a seal unless Florida law or the building department requires professional plans.

Conditional

  • Survey / Site Plan
    Survey or site plan showing new equipment location
    WhenRequired if HVAC system is being relocated to a new location

Courtesy screen

Courtesy screen on every plan review

Every plan FCC reviews receives a limited courtesy screen for the items below when they are reasonably visible in the submitted documents. If we see an apparent issue that could cause the plans to fail review by another agency, we will identify it as a Courtesy Comment. Courtesy Comments alone do not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope. The responsible agency makes the final determination—for example, Planning and Zoning for setbacks, lot coverage, use, and other lot-compliance matters. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  1. #01Plan and document coordination

    Obvious clerical, title-block, sheet-index, permit-description, or cross-sheet inconsistencies visible in the submitted documents. A Courtesy Comment on these items does not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope.

    FBC-B 107.2.1
  2. #02Zoning and site coordination

    Apparent setback, lot-coverage, use, or site-dimension conflicts visible in the submitted plans that could cause the plans to fail Planning and Zoning review. Planning and Zoning makes the zoning and lot-compliance determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  3. #03Floodplain coordination

    Apparent inconsistencies or missing coordination in flood-zone, design-flood-elevation, finished-floor, or flood-opening information shown on the plans that could cause the plans to fail floodplain review. The floodplain administrator makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  4. #04Fire-authority coordination

    Apparent separately reviewed fire alarm, sprinkler, hood-suppression, smoke-control, or similar coordination issues visible on the plans that could cause the plans to fail fire review. The fire marshal makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

Section 2

Approval criteria for this project type

These are the building-code criteria FCC uses to determine the plan-review result. An unresolved item may be issued as a Required Correction and cause the plan set to be returned for correction.

MechanicalConditional review scope

Conditional review scopePlan review is not required for this scope under FBC 107.3.5. FCC reviews these items only when the building department specifically requires it, or the client opts in.
  1. #01Combustion air and ventingLife Safety

    Fuel-fired equipment requires combustion air and proper venting per FBC-M 303 / 804.

    FBC-M 303FBC-M 804FBC-FG 304.1FBC-FG 503
  2. #02HVAC changeout installation requirementsCode

    Replacement HVAC installation must address refrigerant line set, condensate drain, electrical disconnect, and energy code compliance.

    FBC-M 307FBC-M 1101FBC-E C403NEC 440
  3. #03Plan review applicability (FBC 107.3.5)Documentation

    Per FBC-B 107.3.5, plan review is not required for replacing existing equipment (Exemption #1). FCC performs this review only when the building department requires plan review or the client opts in.

    FBC-B 107.3.5

Items marked Conditional review scope are non-blocking. Per FBC 107.3.5, plan review isn't required for these scopes — FCC reviews them when the building department requests it or the client wants the extra set of eyes.

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your own inspection list comes from your approved plans. Inspections marked “If in scope” apply only when your plans include that work. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Mechanical

Phase #1

Mechanical Final

Typical Final
  1. System operational testCritical

    Demonstrate the installed system operating in its approved heating, cooling, exhaust, or hood mode as applicable.

  2. Equipment clearancesCritical

    Verify air handler and condenser have required clearances for service

    FBC-M 304.1
  3. Equipment labels and data plates

    Match installed equipment model and rating to approved plans and manufacturer instructions.

    FBC-M 304.1
  4. Thermostat operation

    Verify thermostat controls heating and cooling modes properly