Our interpretations of the many codes and standards in our engineering industry
Florida Statute 555.79(1)(a) lists the requirements and penalties of building plan reviewers when they issue comments and deny permit applications. Here’s an excerpt from that section with a link to the source file here: 553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections.— (1)(a) … Whenever a permit required under this section is denied or revoked because the plan, or the…
Questions frequently arise as to what the rule is in Florida, Miami, and the HVHZ zone (Dade and Broward Counties, FL) under the Florida Building Code (FBC) for impact rating on mechanical equipment. The answer also has similar references in the International Building Code (IBC) for impact areas of the US Coast, and ultimately depends…
We frequently get asked to re-seal our product approvals after they have been approved by the state. They are validated by comparing them to the state / county records on file and are NOT required to be signed and sealed. There are two Florida Declaratory Statements on record verifying this question: http://www.floridabuilding.org/Upload/FBC/CodeID_1812_DEC03-296.pdf Another Case is…
Background Building codes require that buildings be classified by their level of importance in determining the risk taken with safety factors against their failure under critical design loads. Calculations for the structure’s overall stability, flexure, and fatigue are all based on the assumption of a given risk category design level. ASCE 7 references risk category…
It is often asked of us to explain the validator and quality assurance requirements of the Florida Statewide Product Approval System. While there is much more to learn about the topic of obtaining a Florida Statewide approval, the following explains these terms and requirements. Contact an engineer at Engineering Express to discuss your product approval…
Aesthetically pleasing, clean and one of the biggest architectural trends, the glass railing is fast gaining popularity as a g-to safeguard barrier for modern construction. It’s not only a widely used structural component for safeguard applications, but one with many variables and configurations that changes the way that they need to be analyzed in order…
FLOOD GLOSSARY The following is provided as a curated summary of terms taken from the referenced standards that appear in the article footing. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP) The Federal program, create by an act of Congress in 1968, that makes flood insurance available in communities that enact satisfactory floodplain management regulations. FLOOD INSURANCE…
An engineer’s walk through of the design requirements for flood resistant design of building components With Engineering Express’s early start with floodproofing designs for floor barriers and exterior glazing in projects across the US, we quickly became experts in this field. We’ve witnessed and directed static and dynamic flood testing, sat on industry meetings, met…
INTRODUCTION The main purpose foundations serve is to distribute and resist the forces or loads experienced by the host structure due to wind, rain, snow, seismic, & other load conditions. When it comes to building components such as generators, signs, and fences the code leaves a gray area for foundation design. This happens because most…
The High Velocity Hurricane Zone (or HVHZ) in Florida encompasses only Miami-Dade And Broward Counties. It is a special section of the Florida Building Code (2017 FBC as of this writing) which lays out special codes which apply to these counties. Many chapters of the Florida Code offer an HVHZ and non-HVHZ section of the…
HERE’S 3 MYTHS ABOUT PRODUCT APPROVALS: Background: Product evaluations (sometimes called “product approvals”, “ICC reports”, NOA’s or similar) for building components are the general rule in the International Building Code. Building officials, architects, insurance companies, third party reviewers, even homeowners ask for them all the time, frequently refusing permits, insurance discounts, and product installations.…
The Applied Technology Council (ATC) offers site-specific information that is used in our calculators to determine the wind velocity. For the best results, the address of the site may be used. To find your wind speed, follow the step-by-step guide below. Navigate to https://hazards.atcouncil.org/#/ Enter your address, zip code, or city and state in the search…
Alteration – Level 1 (Existing Building Code Section 503): Removal and replacement, or covering of existing materials, equipment, fixtures using new materials that serve the same purpose. Alteration –Level 1 does not include reconfiguration of space. Commentary: Typically the component (delegate) engineer (such as Engineering Express® who are Building Component Design Engineers) serves as…
ASCE 7 separates wind loading into three types: Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS), Components and Cladding (C&C), and Other Structures and Building Appurtenances. MWFRS is defined as “(a)n assemblage of structural elements to provide support and stability for the overall structure.” Typically, members which receive loading from two surfaces are designed to resist MWFRS…
If a product is rated for Large Missile Impact (LMI) and has laminated glass as an infill, then it can be used anywhere in the building provided the product meets the pressures whether large or small missile (large missile level ‘D’). If the product is Large Missile impact with an insulted laminated glass the single…
The 2006/2012 International Residential Code (IRC) contains railing guidelines similar to those found in the Florida Building Code Fifth Edition (2014, 2017). Below are the written regulations along with images displaying the code as it applies to its appropriate context. Helpful PDF also appears here: http://timnath.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2012-RESIDENTIAL-STAIR-GUIDE.pdf 2006 IRC R311.5.6 HANDRAILS (Height, Continuity, Grip Size) R311.5.6 (Handrails) …
The minimum roof slope requirement for metal panels varies depending on panel connection conditions. The required roof slope varies with application of materials and use. See the below Florida Building Code Fifth Edition (2014, 2017) sections below to determine which slope is appropriate based on your specific design scenario. METAL ROOF PANEL. An interlocking…
Here are some useful sites to check the seismic criteria for a location: https://www.fema.gov/earthquake-hazard-maps https://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards/designmaps/
There’s more to consider when designing interior glass than just how it looks. Turns out there are quite a few design and safety factors to adhere to. In accordance with both the International and Florida Building Codes (2015 & 2014/2017 respectively): Regarding differential horizontal movement: (Section 2403.4) Interior Glazed Areas: Where interior glazing is…
In Florida (as well as many states): If an engineer produces a drawing that is not a final plan, it needs to be sealed and stated as such. Releasing unsealed plans violates 61G15-23.001 as highlighted below. If the drawings an engineer produces are final plans, they need to be signed and sealed (as in the red text…
Here is a list of fastener markings for various grades of anchors. Information is reprinted courtesy of American Fastener FASTENER GRADE MARK (SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A CHART OF MARKINGS ON THE FASTENER TO IDENTIFY THEM) Identification Grade Mark Specification Fastener Description Material Nominal Size Range (in.) Mechanical Properties Proof Load(psi) Yield StrengthMin (psi)…
Product Approvals for building components are the general rule in Florida. Building officials, architects, insurance companies, even homeowners ask for them all the time, frequently refusing permits, insurance discounts, and product installations. So what is the legal ruling on when and if product approvals are required for this product? The Florida Building Code requires only…
Many ask if there’s a difference between a 1 hour fire rating on a wall product vs a 1 hour fire rating on a roof product. If you think about it, fire (AKA heat) does behave differently as it rises vs. spreads. In fact, there is a difference: In the Florida Building Code (2014), Section 1505.1,…
The Scenario The question comes up from time to time regarding requirements for a fence or railing to be 75% open (such as in the Lighthouse Point FL Building Code Amendments). This is the case for example in Florida when overlooking the Intracoastal in Broward County. This porosity also affects the design calculations for the…
Section 1809.5 of the Florida Building Code (2017) and 2012, 2015 & 2018 International Building Code describe the design requirements of shallow foundations in regions where soil is subjected to seasonal ground freezing. The code requires that footings are protected from frost to prevent a phenomenon known as heave. Frost heave occurs when water penetrates…
Explanation In the event of a high wind event, it is the concern of building codes ASCE-7 and ASTM specifications that windows and doors don’t fail and develop an opening breach in the building. An opening would allow more wind to enter the structure and pressurize the inside of the building, leading to other doors…
The UL 325 is a safety standard for door, drapery, gate, louver, and window operators and systems. The standard was developed by underwriters laboratories Inc. in an open non-exclusionary process for manufacturers to use in designing products. This standard provides minimum requirements for the manufacture and installation of gate operators. It applies to electric operators…
The directionality factor (Kd) used in the ASCE 7 wind load provisions for components and cladding is a load reduction factor intended to take into account the less than 100% probability that the design event wind direction aligns with the worst case building aerodynamics. Per ASCE 7-10,Section 26.6, the Directionality Factor Kd is defined…
Per ASCE 7-10, buildings are composed of 5 different zones, depending on the wind loading they are subjected to. These zones are defined as follows: Zone 1: Has the lowest load; this zone accounts for approximately 80% of the roof surface, represented in the interior zones of the roof. Zone 2: Higher loading than Zone 1; this…
Per ASCE 7, the Mean Roof Height (h) is defined as the average of the roof eave height and the height to the highest point on the roof surface, except that, for roof angles of less than or equal to 10°, the mean roof height is permitted to be taken as the roof eave height. Visually, AAMA TIR A15-14…
Per the Aluminum Design Manual (ADM) 2010, the allowable bending stress of round tubes shall be determined for the limit states of yielding, rupture, and local buckling: that given by section F.6.1 (compressive yielding), or that given by section F.6.1 (tensile yielding), or that given by section F.6.1 (tensile rupture), or that given by section…
This is provided to inform clients of the requirements of the 2010 Aluminum Design Manual, Chapter M – Section M.7 Structures of the alloys covered by the Aluminum Design Manual are not ordinarily painted. Surfaces shall be painted where: 2014-T6 alloys are exposed to corrosive environments. Aluminum alloy parts are in contact with, or are fastened…
Per the National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS) 2012, Section 11.1.4.6 the minimum penetration (not including the length of the tapered tip) of the lag screw into the main member for single shear connections or the side member for double shear connections shall be four times the diameter, Pmin = 4Ø. A 1/2″ lag…
Regarding any aluminum railing project, it is imperative to understand the life-safety issue that arises when welding an aluminum railing or sign post. For example, a rail is classified as a life-saving fall guard for any elevation above 31 inches. The aluminum alloys normally used (such as 6061-T6) get their strength from a heat-treatment process.…
Per AISC-ANSI-360-10, the minimum edge distance for bolts is to follow the below table J3.4 https://www.scribd.com/doc/115942657/Minimum-Edge-Distance-Table-AISC-ANSI-360-10-Specifications-for-Structural-Steel-Buildings or buy direct from AISC: https://www.aisc.org/store/p-1578-steel-construction-manual-14th-ed-fourth-printing-hardbound.aspx
Metal fastening is designed per the requirements of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC): Specification for Structural Steel Buildings in conjunction with the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA): TIR-A9-14 Design Guide for Metal Cladding Fasteners. The (2) most common types of fastener threads used in construction are Unified Coarse Thread (UNC) more commonly…
Note: Updated March 2018 in response to 3 negative user feedback comments for more information. Please thumb this up! A canopy is a structure which provides overhead protection from the elements such as rain, snow, or sunlight. Canopies can be attached to a structure or they can be free standing with their own supports. They…
According to Section 1710.8.4 of the Florida Building Code Fifth Edition (2014), “Opening protection components, fasteners, and other parts evaluated by an approved product evaluation entity, certification agency, testing laboratory, architect, or engineer and approved by the holder of the product approval may be interchangeable in opening protection assemblies provided that the opening protection component(s)…
A building is considered “enclosed” if it does not comply with the requirements for open or partially enclosed buildings (ASCE 7-10, Section 26.2, “BUILDING, ENCLOSED”). From the ASCE 7-05 Commentary BUILDING, ENCLOSED, OPEN, PARTIALLY ENCLOSED: These definitions relate to the proper selection of internal pressure coefficients, GCpi . Building, open and building, partially enclosed are specifically…
A building is considered open if each wall is at least 80 percent open (ASCE 7-10, Section 26.2, “BUILDING, OPEN”). This condition is expressed for each wall by the equation Ao ≥ 0.8 Ag where Ao = total area of openings in a wall that receives positive external pressure, in ft2 (m2) Ag = the…
A building is considered “Partially Enclosed” if it complies with both of the following conditions (ASCE 7-10, Section 26.2, “BUILDING, PARTIALLY ENCLOSED”): the total area of openings in a wall that receives positive external pressure exceeds the sum of the areas of openings in the balance of the building envelope (walls and roof) by more…
The Building Codes in the US reference ASCE-7 for the design of the components and cladding of buildings (26.1.2.2 ASCE 7-(10)). The theory of wind design goes that the smaller the area in consideration, the greater the probability that a maximum burst of wind will occur in that area over any 3 second period. Wind…
From the 5th Edition of the Florida Building Code (2014) section 1603.1.4 and from section 1603.1.4. of the 2012 International Building Code, construction documents shall show the following: Ultimate design wind speed, Vult (3-second gust), miles per hour and nominal design wind speed (Vasd) as determined in accordance with code section 1609.3.1 Risk Category…
Missile Level E 6.2.1.1 Enhanced Protection (Essential Facilities): Buildings and other structures designated as essential facilities, including but not limited to hospitals, other health care facilities having emergency treatment facilities, jails and detention facilities, fire, rescue and police stations, and emergency vehicle garages, designated emergency shelters, communications centers and other facilities required for emergency response,…
In the 5th Edition Florida Building Code (2014), missile level E is valid in and outside of the HVHZ (Broward and Dade Counties) when it came to essential facilities. Sure it is in section 1626.2.4 of the FBC which falls under HVHZ but section 449.4.2.5.1 refers to 1626. In previous codes it was in section 419…
First, it needs to be said that there is a complicated formula that converts wind velocity to wind pressure. Many wind pressure values can exist from a single wind velocity which vary based on roof height, topography, terrain, even code version, and more. See our wind speed to wind pressure calculators for different ASCE codes by…
The one-third stress increase has a long history of use in Allowable Stress Design (ASD). It is most commonly used to account for the improbability of two transient loads concurrently acting at their maximum lifetime values– for example, will the design earthquake really occur at the same time as the design snowstorm? Recent changes in…
What is a Notice To Owner (NTO)? This notice alerts a homeowner in Florida that someone has or will provide improvements to their property, either by furnishing services or materials. It puts the owner on legal notice that they now have a responsibility to make certain that that person gets paid, if not, that person…
About Exposure D Exposure ‘D’ is a multiplier when converting wind velocity to wind pressure that represents coastal areas. It’s used in many formulas in ASCE 7 for wind, a larger topic than covered here. Non coastal areas have Exposure categories B and C. Exposure D is a moving target from the coastline based on…
The answer to that question varies with location and type of building, but feel free to download the attachment listed below which is an exhaustive list of the wind speeds used in the general Florida locale and another general map for the country. Please be sure to verify with your local Building Department as these…