Mechanical Equipment – Impact or Not Impact? 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 …
Editorial changes are permitted within the state product approval system when an approved product is modified but no additional uploads are needed, and there is no change to the number of products or product performance. This is a limited revision, and should only be used when fixing items such as: Typographical errors Changes to the …
If you need to find a Florida Approval number please visit https://floridabuilding.org/pr/pr_app_srch.aspx For a Miami Dade NOA please visit http://www.miamidade.gov/building/pc-search_app.asp
QUESTION: Why do certain door products rate a certain p.s.f like -60/+60 then lower ratings are shown throughout the product approval? Usually, the higher door pressure performance are not taking the water testing & infiltration conditions into consideration. A deeper search into the evaluation will likely reveal limitations of performance if water infiltration is …
About Door Product Pressure Ratings and Water Infiltration Read More »
We are frequently asked what are the limitations applied on Small Missile Impact and Large Missile Impact products. Engineering Express takes into consideration the following code limitations while preparing design charts for operable windows/glass doors and non-operable windows/glass doors: Referencing Florida Building Code Seventh Edition, (2020) Chapter 2411.3.2.4.i & 1709.5.1.3.i for Operable Windows and Glass …
What are Limitations of Small & Large Missile Impact Designs? Read More »
Overview As of the 2020 Florida Building Code & 2018 International Building Code, ASTM E1996-17 is the adopted reference standard. The title is ‘Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, & Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes’. (Exterior garage doors & rolling doors are covered by ANSI/DASMA 115 & …
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 7-16,Section 26.6, the Directionality Factor Kd is defined as …
Sunrooms across the US are categorized into 5 categories. AAMA published these in their AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100-12 publication which made its way into the Florida & International Building Codes. FBC (17, 20) lists this in Chapter 20 section 2002.6 directly siting the AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100 spec. IBC 2015/2018 References AAMA 2100 in IRC Chapter 44 Please refer …
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: FS 553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections.— (1)(a) … Whenever a permit required under this section is denied or revoked because the plan, or …
Requirements of Plan Reviewers When Denying Permits Read More »
Wind Exposure Category Overview ASCE-7 is the governing referenced standard for design loads on buildings & other structures for building codes throughout the US. ASCE 7 (26.7 of ASCE 7-16) describes the process to which wind speed is converted into wind pressure to design such structures. The formula is based on many variables. One of …
ASCE 7 WIND EXPOSURE CATEGORIES AND HOW EXPOSURE ‘D’ WORKS Read More »
The answer varies with location and type of building. There are several ‘risk categories’ associated with a location that determine what wind speed to use. A building that’s a risk category I for example has a lower wind speed requirement than a more important risk category II or III building. We explain risk categories here. …
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 (2020), & …
Risk Category 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 …
Overview Changes to the 2020 Florida Building Code for Porous Impact Protection Devices Porous Impact Protective Systems: ASTM E1996-12A brought a significant change to Porous Impact Protective Systems (PIPS). A Porous Impact Protective System is defined as “An assembly whose aggregate open area exceeds 10% of its projected surface area”. Prior to ASTM E1996-12A, any …
As of January, 2021, here is an explanation from Miami Dade County’s Product Approval System (Product Control) on the differences, timeframes, and fees for their various applications: Renewal: This extends the expiration date of the approval (for up to 5 years, contact Miami Dade for your specific time frame). A renewal does not include …
Miami Dade NOA Revision vs Renewal & Fees Explained Read More »
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, 2015, & 2018 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 …
What wind information is required for construction documents? Read More »
