DETERMINING WIND FORCES ON GROUND & ROOFTOP MECHANICAL UNITS
Resources to help design professionals interpret performance evaluations & determine net forces on supporting ground & rooftop structures for mechanical units.
Examples of mechanical equipment include ground-mounted or rooftop air conditioning/heating units, water chillers, generators, solar panels, gas & water tanks, piping, ductwork, access ladders, stands, curbs, pads, & related items.
WIND FORCES ON ROOFTOP MECHANICAL UNITS
Use Our Wind Pressure Design Tool
This calculator determines site-specific wind pressures for rooftop equipment based on site-specific conditions and unit information. Results can be ordered signed and sealed by a design professional for your project.
Watch our Rooftop Wind Pressure Calculator Tutorial.
Download Our Wind How-To Guide
We’ve created an informative guide explaining how to convert forces on rooftop mechanical units to the host structure. Download this guide for your design professional to use for your site specific project or contact us to help you directly.
Note: information is provided for reference only. Any use of this information shall be reviewed & approved by a design professional prior to permitting & construction.
OTHER USEFUL ROOFTOP DESIGN TOOLS
Use this concrete pad calculator created for Kohler Generators to determine concrete pad footing sizes
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HELP CENTER: MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT DESIGN KNOWLEDGE BASE
Performance Limitations for Mechanical Equipment & TER Certifications
Summary of Building Code & Research Intent The intent & provisions of the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) & 2020
About Impact Requirements & Mechanical Equipment in the Florida Building Code & Essential Facilities
Mechanical Equipment – Impact or Not Impact? Questions frequently arise as to what the rule is in Florida, Miami, and the HVHZ zone (Dade and
Search our AC model Database
Click Here to access our model database tool. You can filter by your AC brand, model, and number to find the TER report you need
AC Model TER Search Database
Use this tool to search and find the applicable Technical Evaluation Report for your installation.
Learn About Rooftop & Ground Wind Forces for Mechanical Units
Want to learn how to design AC units on stands or curbs for wind design? Are you looking for tools to help in in design?
Instructions for proper use of rooftop equipment wind pressure calculator
HELP PAGE For the Engineering Express® Rooftop Equipment Wind Pressure Calculator Note: See Limitations & Conditions of Use at the end of this article. Quick
What wind information is required for construction documents?
From the 5th, 6th &7th Edition of the Florida Building Code (2014, 2017, 2020) section 1603.1.4 as well as from section 1603.1.4. of the 2012,
Roof Mounted Equipment Height Requirements
In accordance with FBC 2020 (7th Edition), the following clearance below raised roof mounted mechanical units applies inside & outside the HVHZ*: WIDTH** OF MECHANICAL
Metal Fasteners UNC vs Spaced Thread
Overview Metal fastening is designed per the requirements of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC): Specification for Structural Steel Buildings in conjunction with the
FLORIDA PRODUCT APPROVAL AND MIAMI DADE NOA
WHEN IS A FLORIDA PRODUCT APPROVAL OR MIAMI DADE NOA REQUIRED & HOW TER’S AND MASTER PLANS FIT IN FIRST, A WORD ABOUT FLORIDA &
How do I get a Certified TER or Master Plan Sheet?
FIRST, WHAT’S A CERTIFIED TER & Master Plan Sheet? TER’s or Technical Evaluation Reports and Master Plan Sheets must bear the original signature and raised
What doesn’t a TER or Master Plan Sheet do?
FIRST, WHAT IS A TER? TER’s or Technical Evaluation Reports are evaluations of a product’s performance. They are not intended to approve products for a
Did the wind loading requirements change for rooftop structures for ASCE 7-10 – 7-16 & The Florida Building Code?
Regarding ASCE 7-16 & the 2020 Florida Building Code (FBC) YES. Section 1609.1.1 and Chapter 35 of the 2020 FBC refer to ASCE 7-16