Codes & Standards

Our interpretations of the many codes and standards in our engineering industry

Steel Bolt Edge Distance Requirements

Per AISC-ANSI-360-16, the minimum edge distance for bolts to the edge of a connected part is to follow the below table J3.4 (inches)   AISC/ANSI 360-16 is a free publication from AISC/ANSI Visit Our Pre-Engineered Plans & Evaluation Reports

Can an engineer design alternate anchorage for a Florida product approval or other product evaluation?

The answer is yes.   According to Section 1709.9.4 of the Florida Building Code 7th Edition (2020): “All Impact-resistant coverings shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and in accordance with the product approval. Installation instructions shall be provided and shall be available to inspection personnel on the job site. Opening protection …

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How do I tell if my building is considered “enclosed”?

A building is considered “enclosed” if it does not comply with the requirements for open or partially enclosed buildings (ASCE 7-16, Section 26.2, “BUILDING, ENCLOSED”). From the ASCE 7-16 Commentary C26.2 Definitions: BUILDING, ENCLOSED; BUILDING, OPEN; BUILDING, PARTIALLY ENCLOSED; BUILDING, PARTIALLY OPEN: These definitions relate to the proper selection of internal pressure coefficients, (GCpi). “Enclosed,” …

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How do I tell if my building/enclosure is considered “partially enclosed”?

A building is considered “Partially Enclosed” if it complies with both of the following conditions (ASCE 7-16, 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 …

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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?

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 & ASCE 7-16).   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 …

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? Read More »

Did the wind loading requirements change for rooftop structures for ASCE 7-22 – ASCE 7-16 & The Florida Building Code?

Regarding ASCE 7-16 & the 2020 Florida Building Code (FBC) Also Applies for ASCE 7-22 & 2023 Florida Building Code (8th Edition)   YES. Section 1609.1.1 and Chapter 35 of the 2020 FBC refer to ASCE 7-16 as the governing code for loading requirements on most rooftop structures*. *Section 1609.5 of the 2020 FBC lays …

Did the wind loading requirements change for rooftop structures for ASCE 7-22 – ASCE 7-16 & The Florida Building Code? Read More »

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?

Most all products are evaluated using the ASD method (unless noted otherwise). ASD method in, then ASD method out. Among the notable changes in ASCE 7-10 & ASCE 7-16, the wind speed map and the importance factor for wind loads have been replaced with three wind load maps based on difference and newly defined return …

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? Read More »

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