loading

mechanical railing

Differences Between Designing a Railing For General Use vs. Rooftop Mechanical Equipment

Installing A Railing Around Mechanical Equipment? It could be easier than you think. Railings around mechanical equipment, as opposed to general use pedestrian railings, can be designed to a different standard. These types of railing include those that protect: •  Roofs of commercial buildings •  Industrial facilities •  Mechanical rooms Railing systems of all kinds …

Differences Between Designing a Railing For General Use vs. Rooftop Mechanical Equipment Read More »

The Updated Saffir-Simpson Scale

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. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based …

The Updated Saffir-Simpson Scale Read More »

Engineering Express Icon

Glossary of Engineering Terms

Glossary of Building Component Engineering Terms & Abbreviations These terms are published by Engineering Express to coincide with help menus for our online tools & published articles and as they relate to the Building Component Design industry. See also our FLOOD ENGINEERING GLOSSARY for more terms related to flood engineering. See Also SUNROOM TERMINOLOGY for …

Glossary of Engineering Terms Read More »

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,” …

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

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 …

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

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?

Understanding The ‘Effective Opening Area’ For Wind Pressure Design The theory goes that Mother Nature cannot blow her fury at the maximum force at all areas at the same time… Therefore, the larger the opening, the lesser that opening will all receive the full force of a windstorm at the same time. ASCE-7 contains provisions …

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 »

Scroll to Top