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ASCE 7 WIND EXPOSURE CATEGORIES AND HOW EXPOSURE ‘D’ WORKS
Wind Exposure Category OverviewASCE-7 is the governing referenced standard for design loads on buildings & other structures for…
ASCE 7 Wall Zones Explained
ASCE 7-16 has expanded on the definition of component & cladding wind zones from previous ASCE 7 standards.…
Mean Roof Height (ASCE 7)
Per ASCE 7, the Mean Roof Height (h) is defined as the average of the roof eave height and…
ASCE 7 Least Horizontal Dimension – Minimum Building Width
From ASCE 7 (ASCE 7-22,16, 10 & previous standards): The "Least Horizontal Dimension" can be taken as…
ASCE 7 Basic Wind Speed
Per definition by ASCE 7-22, ASCE 7-16 & ASCE 7-10, Section 26.2 is defined as: BASIC WIND…
About ASCE 7’s Directionality Factor Kd
The directionality factor (Kd) used in the ASCE 7 wind load provisions for components and cladding is a…
ASCE 7 Main Wind Force vs. Components & Cladding Explained (MWFRS vs. C&C)
ASCE 7 separates wind loading into three types: Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS), Components and Cladding (C&C),…
ASCE 7 Risk Categories Explained
ASCE 7 Risk Category Background Building codes require that buildings be classified by their level of importance in…
Wind Speed to Wind Pressure For Sunrooms – Canopies – Pergolas Using ASCE 7-16
ASCE 7-16 is introduced into the 2018 International Building Code and 7th Edition Florida Building Code (2020) as…
How to Find Wind Speed & Snow Using the ASCE and ATC Hazards Tools by Location Websites
The 2 Ways To Find Wind Speed, Snow & Related Values For Projects in the US There are…
ASCE Wind Speed Risk Category To Use with Signs & Building Components On-Off Buildings
ASCE 7-10, ASCE 7-16 Wind Pressure Information and Wind Pressure Calculators In terms of determining the risk category…
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…
Whats the difference between the Miami Dade NOA Quality Assurance Date and the Building Code Expiration Date?
Learn How To Quickly Spot And Use QA Expiration & Code Dates On a Miami Dade NOA Why…
What’s the difference between ground and roof snow load for patio covers?
Ground vs. Roof Snow Load Many don't understand that the snow load that's rated for an area typically…
Performance Limitations for Mechanical Equipment & TER Certifications
Summary of Building Code & Research Intent The intent & provisions of the 2018 International Building Code (IBC),…
Snow Build-Over On Pergolas, Trellises & Mechanically Louvered Roofs (Cornice)
Beware of Snow Buildup On Open Roofs An important and frequently overlooked requirement for checking snow loads on…
Performance Requirements Typically Requested On Project Specifications
For shop drawings requested for structural permit by this office, the following are typical specifications requested. Engineering Express…
The building department is asking for design wind speed – risk category – exposure – address on my master plan – TER What do I tell them?
In the case of Master Plans and Technical Evaluation Reports, product evaluations, master plans, and technical evaluation reports…
I need a wind load chart for window – door – garage door installation. What do I do?
visit This Link on our Plan Store to find wind pressure charts for each of these items. We…
Residential & Commercial Terms & Engineering Design Differences 101
Residential & Commercial Glazing Differences & Common Terms 101 Engineering Express is typically asked what the difference…
Instructions for proper use of rooftop equipment wind pressure calculator
HELP PAGE For the Engineering Express®Rooftop Equipment Wind Pressure CalculatorNote: See Limitations & Conditions of Use at the…
About ASTM E1996-17 Missile Levels
Overview As of the 2020 Florida Building Code & 2018 International Building Code, ASTM E1996-17 is the adopted…
What is a canopy awning & which wind forces should I use to design?
A canopy is a structure which provides overhead protection from the elements such as rain, snow, or sunlight.…
The Updated Saffir-Simpson Scale
First, it needs to be said that there is a complicated formula that converts wind velocity to wind…
How To Determine Uplift Reactions For Canopies-Carports-Pergolas
Canopies & Wind Understand this - A backyard canopy attached to the back of your house, a…
Is Steel or Reinforcing or Fibermesh Required in Posts & Footings of Building Components?
INTRODUCTION The main purpose foundations serve is to distribute and resist the forces or loads experienced by the…
What wind speed should I use for my project?
The answer varies with location and type of building. There are several 'risk categories' associated with a location…
Is a large missile impact window or door automatically approved for small missile impact?
Overview Changes to the 2020 Florida Building Code for Porous Impact Protection Devices Porous Impact Protective Systems: ASTM…
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…
What are porosity and closure angles when defining a porous building opening?
Explanation: In the event of a high wind event, it is the concern of building codes ASCE-7 and…
Our Directory of Engineering & Testing Firms We Work With
The information contained herein is offered as an unbiased list of firms and services that complement the services…
Glossary of Engineering Terms
Glossary of Building Component Engineering Terms & Abbreviations These terms are published by Engineering Express to coincide with…
2020 FBC Product Evaluation Updates
There are many updates to the Florida Building Code 7th Edition (2020), but several of them directly impact…
Starter List in Evaluating Your Building Component For Product Approvals & TER’s
Designers and manufacturers create building products based on how they think people will use them and conditions they…
Flood Engineering Glossary
FLOOD GLOSSARY The following is provided as a curated summary of terms taken from the referenced standards that…
Flood Resistant Design & Floodproofing of Buildings
An engineer's walk through of the design requirements for flood resistant design of building components With Engineering Express's…
Wind Speed vs. Wind Pressure Explained
Many don’t understand how wind works & state that a product is rated to a specific wind speed. …
Case Study: Phantom Screens – Is a Florida Product Approval Required?
Product Approvals for building components are the general rule in Florida. Building officials, architects, insurance companies, even homeowners…
About Porosity & When is a Fence or Railing 75% Open?
The Scenario The question comes up from time to time regarding requirements for a fence or railing to…
Frost Protection For Concrete Footings On Grade – Heave
Concrete Footing Frost Protection - An Explanation Section 1809.5 of the Florida Building Code (2020) and 2015 &…
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…
How do I tell if my building is considered an “open building”?
A building is considered open if each wall is at least 80 percent open (ASCE 7-16, Section 26.2,…
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…
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…
The One-Third (1/3) Stress Increase: Where Is It Now?
While the 1/3 stress increase is all but a memory, this article explains its history & origin. The…
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…