See this article for a breakdown of the three most common types of window / door / glazing support mullions in our articles section. Learn the difference between a mullion, supporting frame, and structural column and how they are used in a construction project.
When A Glazed Opening Isn’t Exactly Square Often times a glazing product is approved for large missile impact, but requires a field modification for size. While the tested span cannot be exceeded and still meet the building code’s large missile impact requirements, the aspect ratio (the length to width ratio) can be altered so long …
Glass Aspect Ratio Limitations in Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Read More »
How To Apply For A Retrofit Window-Door-Garage Door Permit In South Florida Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Counties have adopted a unique set of rules for permitting window and door replacements (alteration level 1). While there are variations between cities, counties, & states, these requirements are similar. Alteration Level 1 Defined: FBC/IBC existing building Section …
The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Window – Door Retrofit Permit Package In South Florida Read More »
To determine the wind speed to use for your project, visit the ASCE Hazard Tool. This tool allows input of a project address and also returns flood, snow, ice & seismic information. Additional notes: There are several ‘risk categories’ associated with a location that determine what wind speed to use. A building that’s a risk …
ASCE Mean Roof Height – An Introduction A building’s height plays a large role in calculating the magnitude of wind pressures on a structure. Wind will affect a building and its components differently if it can travel overtop of the structure, or if wind travels around the building sides. The ASCE 7 standard uses a …
Eave Height and Mean Roof Height – Per ASCE 7 – Building Codes Read More »
Thanks to our partners at ASSA ABLOY, we’re happy to pass along this helpful glossary of industry lingo. Learn all about the many terms used in the door and hardware industry Click here to visit the ASSA ABLOY Glossary
For shop drawings requested for structural permit by this office, the following are typical specifications requested. Engineering Express routinely complies with these when providing certified plans for permit: Delegated Design: Design , including comprehensive engineering analysis by a qualified professional engineer, using performance requirements & design criteria indicated. Structural Performance: shall withstand the effects …
Performance Requirements Typically Requested On Project Specifications 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 »
READ BELOW BEFORE USING NON SITE-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONSFROM ENGINEERING EXPRESS FOR YOUR PROJECT General Information About Non Site-Specific Plans: Certified Performance Evaluations (also referred to as Master Plans, Technical Evaluation Reports (TER’s), Generic or Non Site-Specific Plans) you receive contain a physical or digitally certified engineer seal. They are intended to be used to assist …
Visit This Link on our Plan Store to find wind pressure charts for each of these items. We also have a site-specific calculator you could use. If you need the answer certified for permit, you can purchase that right on the calculator.
Residential & Commercial Glazing Differences & Common Terms 101 Engineering Express is typically asked what the difference between residential & commercial glazing & how we help each industry. Read below for answers to the most common questions & terms. Commercial Glazing What is Commercial Glazing? This generally involves the framing systems used …
Residential & Commercial Terms & Engineering Design Differences 101 Read More »
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 »
Understanding Wall Zones 4 & 5 Wind speed converts to wind pressure using a formula with many variables. There are many wind pressures on a building to one given wind speed. Zones 4 & 5 define two of those pressures on wall zones for buildings as described below. Key Terms Used In This Article About …
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. For Operable Windows & Glass Doors Inside the HVHZ …
What are The Span Limitations of Large Missile Impact Doors – Windows – Shutters? Read More »
From ASCE 7 (ASCE 7-22,16, 10 & previous standards): The “Least Horizontal Dimension” can be taken as the shortest possible distance that can be taken between two parallel lines that fully encompass the building The Least Horizontal Dimension is further demonstrated as follows: Where ‘B’ is the Least Horizontal Dimension. For further reference, see our …
ASCE 7 Least Horizontal Dimension – Minimum Building Width Read More »
ASCE 7 separates wind loading into three types: Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS), Components and Cladding (C&C), and Other Structures and Building Appurtenances. MWFRS is defined as “(a)n assemblage of structural elements to provide support and stability for the overall structure.” Typically, members that receive loading from two surfaces are designed to resist MWFRS …
ASCE 7 Main Wind Force vs. Components & Cladding Explained (MWFRS vs. C&C) Read More »
