Search These FAQ;s
Topics include common company questions, online plan & site specific job ordering, codes & standards, engineering principles & general questions.
FAQ + Knowledge Base Article Summary
- What is the process to renew a Miami Dade NOA I have? 62 /
- Whats the difference between the Miami Dade NOA Quality Assurance Date and the Building Code Expiration Date? 107 /
- How do I submit my completed drawings to the city? 182 /
- What Services Do We Offer And Don’t Offer? 274 /
- *** Find More Help With Product Approvals *** 446 /
- What’s the difference between ground and roof snow load for patio covers? 6279 /
- Performance Limitations for Mechanical Equipment & TER Certifications 830 /
- Snow Build-Over On Pergolas, Trellises & Mechanically Louvered Roofs (Cornice) 1351 /
- Sunroom Terminology 742 /
- Pros and Cons of Obtaining a Florida Statewide Approval Vs A Miami Dade Approval and how a TER fits in 1390 /
- How Do I Get Approval To Substitute Glass Type-Interlayer On My Product Evaluation? 425 /
- Door and Hardware Online Glossary 452 /
- Performance Requirements Typically Requested On Project Specifications 535 /
- How can I pay for something custom that’s not a store product or something quoted? 449 /
- Search our AC model Database 650 /
- I see values for F1 and F2 on Evaluation Reports. What are they? 734 /
- The building department is asking for design wind speed – risk category – exposure – address on my master plan – TER What do I tell them? 739 /
- How To Validate A Digital Signature On An Engineers Digitally-Sealed Plan 1579 /
- How To Use Master Plans – TER’s – Calculator Reports Purchased From Engineering Express 2842 /
- What are editorial changes to products registered in the Florida Product Approval System? 956 /
- When will I receive my order? How long does it take to get my digitally signed-sealed file sent to me? 925 /
- Why is there an expiration on digitally signed-sealed plans and how does that work for permitting? 739 /
- The date on my plans is old – Do I need a plan with a current date? 603 /
- I need a wind load chart for window – door – garage door installation. What do I do? 764 /
- How can you leave my order outside in one of your office pickup boxes? 637 /
- What is the current Florida Building Code 808 /
- I need help finding a tie down detail for permit 1158 /
- How do I know if a payment went through for my online order? 808 /
- How can clients in the South Florida area save money on shipping fees? 632 /
- What are your business hours / time that you are open and what is your location? 679 /
- is the 6th Edition Florida Building Code still valid? That’s what it says on my plan. 603 /
- I heard there’s a calculator online that can help me but I can’t find it. What do I do? 613 /
- Can you verify the size of the plan I’m going to receive? 500 /
- How can I verify prices for an online plan? Your site shows a range of prices. 537 /
- I made a mistake with an online calculator value. How can that be fixed? 580 /
- I have a change in a site specific project that’s in progress / completed. What do I do? 508 /
- I have a technical question on an online plan. Can you help me? 554 /
- I need to create an NOA / product approval for my product. What’s the process? 1198 /
- How can I find the sealed wind load chart I’m told I need for permit? 553 /
- How can I get a copy of your W-9? 508 /
- I have a different brand product than the one you specify but it’s similar. How can I get mine certified for permit? 498 /
- I have a different size generator than those listed on a concrete pad master plan. How can that be added? 569 /
- I received a hardcopy (printed) plan and need a digitally signed-sealed file. What do I do? 530 /
- I’d like to use an EFT (electronic funds transfer) instead of a credit card. Can you help with that? 534 /
- I need an inspection done. Can you help? 534 /
- What’s the difference between a hardcopy and a digitally signed – sealed file? 519 /
- I’m a homeowner in need of a site specific plan / custom project. Can you help? 589 /
- I placed an order for pickup that now needs to be shipped. What do I do? 607 /
- I received a comment from the city / building department / plan reviewer on an online plan. What do I do? 510 /
- I placed an order for engineering through E-Tempest / one of your online affiliates. How can I find out the status? 582 /
- I made a mistake on the zip code of an online digital order. What do I do? 497 /
- How can I cancel an online order? 528 /
- How can I modify an existing quote request placed through ExpressPass? 523 /
- I need a wind calculation for a roof. Can Engineering Express help with that? 624 /
- Can you help me with Florida Product approval or Miami Dade NOA information? 1658 /
- I can’t find an order that was supposedly emailed to me. What can I do? 575 /
- How can I change a contact for your ExpressPass site specific project? 656 /
- I ordered a project through E-Tempest. What’s the process for receiving a digitally signed-sealed file? 644 /
- Can I get a discount on volume plan store orders? 572 /
- I’m looking for a model not shown on the chart in a Technical Evaluation Report (TER). What do I do? 526 /
- How can I clarify my account status with Engineering Express? 520 /
- How can I confirm you have my current address for shipping? 583 /
- I have a question about project statuses and what DRAFT means 646 /
- How do I check the project status of my project with Engineering Express? 529 /
- How can I get my digitally signed – sealed file resent to me? 503 /
- This is my first time paying for an invoice. How can I pay? 496 /
- The Readymade master plan I ordered didn’t solve my need. I need a site-specific. What do I do? 531 /
- I need to place an online plan order for a digitally signed-sealed file. How does that work? 571 /
- I have questions about a project we are working on 765 /
- How do I know if my order is ready for pickup? 490 /
- What is the process for submitting site specific projects to Engineering Express? 472 /
- I’m a contractor looking to purchase a fence / gate or similar plan. What do I do? 575 /
- What digital signing company does Engineering Express use for digitally signing design plans? 774 /
- I’m a homeowner looking for a fence & gate (or similar) plan for permit. What do I do? 578 /
- Residential & Commercial Terms & Engineering Design Differences 101 1280 /
- Learn About Rooftop & Ground Wind Forces for Mechanical Units 1366 /
- Subscription Services Offered by Engineering Express 1464 /
- Starter List In Submitting A Ground Mounted Sign For Evaluation 1048 /
- About Door Product Pressure Ratings and Water Infiltration 3140 /
- Instructions for proper use of rooftop equipment wind pressure calculator 2508 /
- What are Limitations of Small & Large Missile Impact Designs? 1697 /
- Requirements of Substituting Glass Panels In Insulating Glass Systems 910 /
- Requirements of Substituting Insulated Glass Spacers in Glazed Products 1027 /
- How To Determine Uplift Reactions For Canopies-Carports-Pergolas 14737 /
- Can you substitute spacers for insulating glass units (IGU)? 1213 /
- About Plan Store Tokens 6355 /
- Roof Mounted Equipment Height Requirements 5223 /
- Wind Speed to Wind Pressure For Sunrooms – Canopies – Pergolas Using ASCE 7-16 3205 /
- Test Laboratories 1381 /
- Permit Runners in South Florida To Consider 2327 /
- Architects To Consider 980 /
- Our Directory of Engineering & Testing Firms We Work With 2374 /
- Glossary of Engineering Terms 4195 /
- Egress Emergency Escape Requirements for Windows 3974 /
- About AAMA 2100 and Sunroom Categories 3570 /
- 2020 FBC Product Evaluation Updates 1371 /
- Requirements of Plan Reviewers When Denying Permits & Alternate Methods FBC-IBC Section 104.11 1055 /
- About Impact Requirements & Mechanical Equipment in the Florida Building Code & Essential Facilities 5461 /
- Proof Florida Product Approvals and NOA’s Don’t Require The Original Engineering Seal 1554 /
- Technical Evaluation Report – TER – Types of Product Evaluations Typically Performed By Engineering Express 2871 /
- ASCE 7 Risk Categories Explained 36695 /
- ASCE Wind Speed Risk Category To Use with Signs & Building Components On-Off Buildings 4712 /
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EXPRESSPASS 2007 /
- Florida Statewide Approvals (FSA) – Quality Assurance and Validator Requirements 2020 /
- Perforated Design Method vs. Segmented Design Methods for Shear Walls 7281 /
- Is A Top Rail Required For A Glass Railing? 3507 /
- About Lag Bolts-Screws In Wood – Size – Pullout – Shear 30902 /
- Starter List in Evaluating Your Building Component For Product Approvals & TER’s 2140 /
- CAD Drafting Guidelines for Engineering Express Plan Submissions 7972 /
- Whats The Difference Between a Digitally Signed Plan, Electronic Seal, & Scanned Digital Copy of a Plan? 11266 /
- Flood Engineering Glossary 7294 /
- Flood Resistant Design & Floodproofing of Buildings 8734 /
- Is Steel or Reinforcing or Fibermesh Required in Posts & Footings of Building Components? 7870 /
- What is the HVHZ – High Velocity Hurricane Zone – in Florida? 17919 /
- Master Plan Sheet – Product Evaluation – TER Explained 2277 /
- PRODUCT APPROVALS ARE NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED! HERE’S WHY: 8892 /
- How to Find Wind Speed & Snow Using the ASCE and ATC Hazards Tools by Location Websites 10149 /
- Types of At-Grade Footings Explained 11188 /
- What are alteration levels in construction and how do they relate to delegate engineers? 19836 /
- What’s the difference between aluminum T5 and T6 temper (like 6063-T5 vs 6063-T6 alloy)? 19960 /
- Wind Speed vs. Wind Pressure Explained 10438 /
- ASCE 7 Main Wind Force vs. Components & Cladding Explained (MWFRS vs. C&C) 16356 /
- Is a large missile impact window or door automatically approved for small missile impact? 5187 /
- TEK Sheet Metal Screws (SMS) – About – Sizes – Gauges 34172 /
- Typical Information Needed For Engineering Design of a Patio-Pergola Roof 4774 /
- Designing Interior Glass? Here are some engineering code items to consider 3462 /
- When is an Engineer Seal Required, Why Do We Write ‘Draft’ on Unsealed Work, And About Digital Seals 16509 /
- ASTM, SEI, ISO Fastener Material Properties and Specifications 2706 /
- Case Study: Phantom Screens – Is a Florida Product Approval Required? 2828 /
- 1 Hour Fire Rating For Roof vs Wall 3656 /
- What Seismic area is my location? 1841 /
- Where To Buy Extrusions & Parts 1565 /
- CHECKLIST FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS – SUNROOMS 6645 /
- About Porosity & When is a Fence or Railing 75% Open? 5166 /
- Frost Protection For Concrete Footings On Grade – Heave 17038 /
- What are porosity and closure angles when defining a porous building opening? 3317 /
- About The UL 325 Safety Standard for Gate Operators 4990 /
- ASCE 7 Basic Wind Speed 19383 /
- About ASCE 7’s Directionality Factor Kd 13620 /
- ASCE 7 Wall Zones Explained 28368 /
- ASCE 7 Least Horizontal Dimension – Minimum Building Width 10468 /
- Mean Roof Height (ASCE 7) 33912 /
- Can a Building Inspector or Plan Reviewer Deny The Use of a TER or Master Plan Sheet? 2737 /
- Florida Product Approval and Miami Dade NOA Requirements 24685 /
- What do I do if a TER or Master Plan isn’t enough for a permit? 2940 /
- How do I get a Certified TER or Master Plan Sheet? 2641 /
- What doesn’t a TER or Master Plan Sheet do? 2431 /
- What is a TER and how is it used for permitting? 4121 /
- What is the Minimum Roof Slope for Metal Panels and other Roof Types? 11584 /
- 2015/2018 IRC RAILING GUIDELINES 18420 /
- Procedure For Calculating Aluminum Box Beams For Bending 3136 /
- How to Avoid Contact With Aluminum & Dissimilar Metals 14671 /
- What’s the minimum penetration for lag screws into wood? 19946 /
- Loss of Capacity Due To Welded Aluminum In Railings – Signs – Structures 7931 /
- Steel Bolt Edge Distance Requirements 43824 /
- Metal Fasteners UNC vs Spaced Thread 6814 /
- What’s the dimensional difference between a pipe and a tube? 4559 /
- What is a canopy awning & which wind forces should I use to design? 23982 /
- Can an engineer design alternate anchorage for a Florida product approval or other product evaluation? 2380 /
- How do I tell if my building is considered “enclosed”? 13665 /
- How do I tell if my building is considered an “open building”? 7641 /
- How do I tell if my building/enclosure is considered “partially enclosed”? 20404 /
- How do I calculate the effective opening area on window or door products? – What opening area should be used for wind pressure determination on a multi-panel product? 15571 /
- What wind information is required for construction documents? 3129 /
- About ASTM E1996-17 Missile Levels 20288 /
- What are the requirements for using ASTM Missile Level E in Florida (2021 updated)? 11737 /
- The Updated Saffir-Simpson Scale 3583 /
- The One-Third (1/3) Stress Increase: Where Is It Now? 8380 /
- Florida Engineers Do Not Have To File A Notice To Owner To Lien A Property 4332 /
- What is a window or door buck 16905 /
- Why are spacing, edge distance, and embedment important for concrete anchors? 36735 /
- ASCE 7 WIND EXPOSURE CATEGORIES AND HOW EXPOSURE ‘D’ WORKS 59605 /
- What wind speed should I use for my project? 12494 /
- Did the wind loading requirements change for rooftop structures for ASCE 7-22 – ASCE 7-16 & The Florida Building Code? 2684 /
- Should a professional utilize the ASD (“Allowable Stress Design”) method or the LRFD (“Load Resistance Factored Design”) method when calculating the required wind pressure for use with tested / approved systems? 14794 /