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Guide To Mechanical Unit Permits and Engineering Requirements In Florida & The US

Mechanical Equipment Design – A National Requirement Generally speaking, building codes are national in nature, but are adopted locally for unique geographic conditions. While national codes require designing code-compliant structures during design events, areas such as South Florida take the lead on high-wind requirements  for rooftop mechanical units & serve as a guide for design …

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PRODUCT APPROVALS ARE NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED! HERE’S WHY:

3 Myths About Product Approval Requirements Background Product evaluations (also referred to as “product approvals”, “ICC reports”, Miami Dade NOA’s, TDI Evaluations, or similar) for building products are general requirements as found in the International Building Code.  Building officials, architects, insurance companies, third-party reviewers, and even homeowners ask for them all the time.    Permits …

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Performance Limitations for Mechanical Equipment & TER Certifications

Summary of Building Code & Research Intent The intent & provisions of the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) & 2020 Florida Building/Residential Codes are to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health, and general welfare of occupants of new and existing buildings & structures. From 2022 / 2020 …

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Impact Requirements For Mechanical Equipment in the Florida Building Code & For Essential Facilities

Mechanical Equipment – Does It Need To Qualify For Large Missile 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 …

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Pros and Cons of Obtaining a Florida Statewide Approval Vs A Miami Dade Approval and how a TER fits in

Which Florida Approval Is Right for You? Pros and Cons of FSA, NOA, and TER Two common means of product evaluations in Florida are Florida Statewide Approvals (FSA’s) and Miami-Dade Notices of Acceptance (NOA’s). To help determine whether these evaluations would be right for you, we’ve compiled a list of pros & cons for each …

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What are The Span Limitations of Large Missile Impact Doors – Windows – Shutters?

Size Limitations For Impact Rated Products A Frequent question is what are the span, height, pressure, and installation limitations for large & small missile impact products. The following takes into consideration the Florida Building Code  8th Edition (2023) limitations for designing & installing operable and non-operable windows/glass doors & impact protection devices. This also applies …

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Technical Evaluation Report – TER – Types of Product Evaluations Typically Performed By Engineering Express

Engineering Express provides structural design evaluations of various types of mechanical equipment exposed to weather.  There are four (4) evaluation types typically performed, each with their own benefits and limitations of use.  This article explores each type and provides examples and summary of output. Some notes to first understand:   All tiers listed below include …

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Florida Statewide Approvals (FSA) – Quality Assurance and Validator Requirements

Florida Statewide Approvals (FSA): Validator & Quality Assurance Requirements Florida’s Statewide Product Approval (FSA) system ensures that every product used in construction meets the state’s strict building code requirements. Two key components of this process are Validation and Quality Assurance (QA) — both critical for maintaining credibility and compliance throughout a product’s approval lifecycle. The …

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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 ask for them all the time, frequently refusing permits, insurance discounts, and product installations. So what is the legal ruling on when and if product approvals are required for this product? The Florida Building Code requires only …

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Can a Building Inspector or Plan Reviewer Deny The Use of a TER or Performance Evaluation?

Have You Been Denied For A Building Permit Using One Of Our TER’s? Plan reviewers have the authority to question any document submitted to their building department for permit. But they also must follow code-written guidelines in their review & approval. Let’s explore the code and your options if our building product evaluations are not …

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FAQ: What do I do if a TER or Generic Performance Evaluation isn’t approved for a permit?

Why Your TER Might Get Rejected — and How to Fix It A Technical Evaluation Report (TER) is an engineer-certified evaluation of a product’s structural performance limits (wind, gravity, etc.). However, submitting a TER alone does not guarantee approval by a permitting authority. Various factors during the permit review process can lead to additional requirements …

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Eastern Metal Supply: Gutter Beam Span Charts 2023 Update

What Doesn’t A Technical Evaluation Report (TER) or Product Evaluation Do?

What’s A TER? A TER, or Technical Evaluation Report, are engineer-certified, code-compliant evaluation of a building products performance limitations. They provide limiting capacities for wind, snow, seismic, and other forces for a variety of product sizes and installation conditions.  TER for a gutter beam for Eastern Metal Supply.  What Doesn’t A TER Do? TER’s don’t …

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