It is often asked of us to explain the validator and quality assurance requirements of the Florida Statewide Product Approval System. While there is much more to learn about the topic of obtaining a Florida Statewide approval, the following explains these terms and requirements. Contact an engineer at Engineering Express to discuss your product approval…
WHAT IS A MASTER PLAN SHEET / PRODUCT EVALUATION / TER? Think of a master plan sheet product evaluation, or TER (they’re all similar in nature) as a set of general instructions of how to assemble a building component without regard to a specific installation. Unlike an address-specific (or site-specific) plan, Master Plan Sheets are…
HERE’S 3 MYTHS ABOUT PRODUCT APPROVALS: Background: Product evaluations (sometimes called “product approvals”, “ICC reports”, NOA’s or similar) for building components are the general rule in the International Building Code. Building officials, architects, insurance companies, third party reviewers, even homeowners ask for them all the time, frequently refusing permits, insurance discounts, and product installations.…
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…
YES OR NO? While plan reviewers, inspectors, and other building officials have the authority to question any document submitted if the document complies with the intent of the applicable building code and related codes & standards, the if the site specific project complies with the limitations of the certified evaluation report, the short answer is…
FIRST, A WORD ABOUT FLORIDA & THE IBC Florida is one of few states leading the Product Evaluation requirement. Many other states accept documentation from Florida provided it meets the intended use in some form or another as the International Building Code has similar requirements. The Florida Building Code (Building commission rule 61G20-3.001) requires certain…
THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT WON’T ACCEPT MY TECHNICAL EVALUATION REPORT (TER)? Sometimes, municipalities or contract documents require more information than just submitting a TER (Technical Evaluation Report). Typical reasons why TER’s aren’t approved include: No certification is provided that the product meets the job specific project requirements SOLUTION: A Design Professional needs to certify that the…
FIRST, WHAT’S A CERTIFIED TER & Master Plan Sheet? TER’s or Technical Evaluation Reports and Master Plan Sheets must bear the original signature and raised seal or a digital seal of the evaluating engineer to be valid for use by code. This is a code requirement and necessary to maintain quality control, liability, and integrity…
FIRST, WHAT IS A TER? TER’s or Technical Evaluation Reports are evaluation of a product’s performance. They are not intended to approve product for a specific application, but rather provide limiting values based on installation options. SO WHAT DOESN’T A TER DO? TER’s don’t provide the full assembly or installation of a product and should…
A TER or Technical Evaluation Report, is an engineering evaluation based on testing and/or rational analysis for the performance of a building product or component. In the case of Engineering Express, we are evaluating the structural aspects of a product only. The authority for a qualified engineer to create a technical evaluation report is given…