Can an engineer design alternate anchorage for a Florida product approval or other product evaluation?
Say you have an evaluation report for a window or door.
The report calls out for one brand of anchors, but you want to use another.
Do you violate the provisions of the evaluation?
The answer is yes, anchors can be substituted for anchors shown on the product evaluation documents.
According to Section 1709.9.4 of the Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023):
“All Impact-resistant coverings shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and in accordance with the product approval.
Installation instructions shall be provided and shall be available to inspection personnel on the job site.
Opening protection components, fasteners, and other parts evaluated by an approved product evaluation entity, certification agency, testing laboratory, architect, or engineer and approved by the holder of the product approval may be interchangeable in opening protection assemblies provided that the opening protection component(s) provide equal or greater structural performance and durability as demonstrated by testing in accordance with approved test standards.“
Although not specifically referenced in the International Building Code, this method is considered by many to be industry standard. FBC 1709 & FBC 1710 provides baseline standards on the topic.
Commentary
It is understood that the evaluation is for the ‘product’. Anchors represent the ‘method of attachment of the product.
Therefore, if it can be demonstrated that the method of attachment is equivalent to the attachment in the evaluation, the ‘product’ knows no difference.
There are 2 caveats to this:
1 – If the product is designed for large missile impact, then due to impact and cyclical forces, the anchorage has to be equivalent to the tested standard, whereas non-impact anchorage only has to meet equivalent design for the imposing static load.
2- Shim space also needs to be considered. As it is beyond the product, it can vary as well, but anchor bending, fatigue, water infiltration, and finishes need to be considered in the design as well.
Example of a window installed using custom shims and anchors through wood bucks into masonry.
How We Can Help
Engineering Express is a national, large-scale evaluator of building products. We also provide product evaluations for major anchor companies including DeWALT, Hillman, ITW, among others.
We can help you design an equivalent component connection. Submit a quote request to have us take a look at your next project.
Last Update: August 22, 2025