Wiki Search
Search Results:Click title to view article
*** Find More Help With Product Approvals ***
Find more general help with Florida & Miami-Dade Product Approvals by visiting the support articles of EngineeringPlans.com. …
What are editorial changes to products registered in the Florida Product Approval System?
Editorial changes are permitted within the state product approval system when an approved product is modified but no…
I need to create an NOA / product approval for my product. What’s the process?
Start by reading our articles about product approvals by Clicking Here. You'll learn when they're really needed, what…
Can you help me with Florida Product approval or Miami Dade NOA information?
If you need to find a Florida Approval number please visit FloridaProductApprovals.com For a Miami Dade NOA please…
Proof Florida Product Approvals and NOA’s Don’t Require The Original Engineering Seal
We frequently get asked to re-seal our product approvals after they have been approved by the state. They…
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…
PRODUCT APPROVALS ARE NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED! HERE’S WHY:
Here Are 3 Myths About Product Approval Requirements Background Product evaluations (sometimes called “product approvals”, “ICC reports”, NOA’s…
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…
Florida Product Approval and Miami Dade NOA Requirements
WHEN IS A FLORIDA PRODUCT APPROVAL OR MIAMI DADE NOA REQUIRED & HOW TER'S AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS FIT…
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…
How Do I Get Approval To Substitute Glass Type-Interlayer On My Product Evaluation?
If you are a manufacturer with a Florida or Miami Dade Approval, or if you are trying to…
Pros and Cons of Obtaining a Florida Statewide Approval Vs A Miami Dade Approval and how a TER fits in
Two common means of product evaluations in Florida are Florida Statewide Approvals (FSA’s) and Miami-Dade Notices of Acceptance…
About Door Product Pressure Ratings and Water Infiltration
QUESTION: Why do certain door products rate a certain p.s.f like -60/+60 then lower ratings are shown throughout…
Requirements of Substituting Insulated Glass Spacers in Glazed Products
ASTM 1996-17 Regarding Insulated Glass Spacers. This 2017 standard added section A1.9.2 stating tested air spacers making up…
2020 FBC Product Evaluation Updates
There are many updates to the Florida Building Code 7th Edition (2020), but several of them directly impact…
Florida Statewide Approvals (FSA) – Quality Assurance and Validator Requirements
About Validators & Quality Assurance ComplianceIt is often asked of us to explain the validator and quality assurance…
Master Plan Sheet – Product Evaluation – TER Explained
What is a Master Plan Sheet - Product Evaluation & TER? A master plan, also known as a…
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…
What is the process to renew a Miami Dade NOA I have?
Introduction A Miami-Dade NOA (notice of acceptance) renewal is required to extend the NOA expiration date another 5…
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…
How To Use Master Plans – TER’s – Calculator Reports Purchased From Engineering Express
READ BELOW BEFORE USING NON SITE-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONSFROM ENGINEERING EXPRESS FOR YOUR PROJECTGeneral Information About Non Site-Specific Plans:Certified…
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…
CHECKLIST FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS – SUNROOMS
CHECKLIST OF DESIGN ITEMS NEEDED FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS, PERGOLAS & SUNROOMS Engineering Express provides…
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…
Miami Dade NOA Revision vs Renewal & Fees Explained
As of January, 2021, here is an explanation from Miami Dade County's Product Approval System (Product Control) on…
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…
CAD Drafting Guidelines for Engineering Express Plan Submissions
Engineering Express Drafting Shop Drawings – Tips & Tricks At Engineering Express, we pride ourselves with the…
What is the HVHZ – High Velocity Hurricane Zone – in Florida?
The High Velocity Hurricane Zone (or HVHZ) in Florida encompasses only Miami-Dade And Broward Counties. It is a…
What is the Minimum Roof Slope for Metal Panels and other Roof Types?
The minimum roof slope requirement for metal panels varies depending on panel connection conditions. The required roof slope…
When is an Engineer Seal Required, Why Do We Write ‘Draft’ on Unsealed Work, And About Digital Seals
In Florida (as well as many states): If an engineer produces a drawing that is not a final…
Can a Building Inspector or Plan Reviewer Deny The Use of a TER or Master Plan Sheet?
DENIED - YES OR NO? While plan reviewers, inspectors, and other building officials have the authority to question…
What do I do if a TER or Master Plan isn’t enough for a permit?
THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT WON'T ACCEPT MY TECHNICAL EVALUATION REPORT (TER)? Sometimes, municipalities or contract documents require more information…
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…
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…
What is a TER and how is it used for permitting?
A TER or Technical Evaluation Report, is an engineering evaluation based on testing and/or rational analysis for 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…
What Services Do We Offer And Don’t Offer?
Engineering Express is a national engineering firm that only provides structural design services for building components for commercial…
Requirements of Substituting Glass Panels In Insulating Glass Systems
ASTM 1996-17 Regarding Glass Substitution Section A1.8 states: “A1.8.1.1 The impact resisting lite (monolithic or laminated) of an…
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EXPRESSPASS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EXPRESSPASS What is ExpressPass? ExpressPass is designed to help businesses get the certified designs…
Can you substitute spacers for insulating glass units (IGU)?
The question of whether or not an installer can substitute the spacer that separates the outer from the…