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 elsewhere.
Start Here: IBC/FBC Chapter 16
On a national level, following down to all local codes in the US is the requirements of Chapter 16- Structural Design.
This is the basis for requiring that all parts of building comply with the code – for combinations of wind, snow, seismic, and other forces.
From Chapter 16 IBC/FBC
(as of 2023 FBC / 2021 IBC)
Down To the South Florida County Level
While each municipality in Broward have their specific forms, Broward County Board of Rules & Appeals controls all Broward Municipality requirements.
Palm Beach County municipalities each produce their own requirements, but frequently base their work on Broward County Rules.
Dade County is a mix of both, but still with rooftop equipment high-wind requirements.
Broward County Role Model City
While the rules in Broward County are all the same (and similar for other Florida Counties), this form from the City of Pompano does the best job in summarizing requirements.
It serves as a best-in-class guide for the permitting process.
The form lists the process & provides links to Broward County Applications.
How Structural Engineering Fits In
From the combination of Chapter 16 FBC & the specific inclusion of tie down requirements, both AC/generator cabinets & their mounts (stands, tie downs, ground pads, wall brackets, etc.) must be certified by a design professional to withstand code design forces.
From The Pompano Form
REQUIRED PERMIT APPLICATIONS & DOCUMENTS:
Submit a completed Broward County Uniform Permit Application (Mechanical Checked) from a licensed mechanical contractor.
Submit a completed Owner / Builder Statement Affidavit, should the applicant utilize Florida Statute 489.103 Exemptions and assume responsibilities of a contractor. (Owner/Builder option is not applicable for work in Condominiums)
Submit a completed Broward County Uniform Permit Application (Building Checked) from a licensed general contractor for new installs, mini splits, or if the configuration or layout has changed.
Submit a completed Broward County Uniform Permit Application (Electrical Checked) from a licensed electrical contractor for new installs, mini splits, or if the configuration or layout has changed.
Submit a completed Zoning Compliance Permit Application from a licensed contractor for new installs, mini splits, or if the configuration or layout has changed.
If there are trees located adjacent to the work, submit a completed Tree Permit Application with Tree Protection Plan and Tree Protection Detail.
‘AHRI Certificate of Product Ratings’ page for the A/C equipment being installed.
A completed A/C Equipment Change Out form, officially called the “Broward County Uniform Data Form for Residential and Light Commercial Air Conditioning Replacements.”
-PAYING SPECIFIC ATTENTION TO THIS SECTION-
Attachments details for equipment exposed to the outside, shall be submitted in the following format:
- ‘Florida Product Approval’ or ‘Miami Dade Notice of Acceptance’ Tie Down details
— OR —
- Original signed & sealed engineer plans or documents
— OR —
- If applicable: plans & documents reviewed by a Private Provider shall be signed, dated & stamped.
How Engineering Express Helps With Mechanical Equipment Engineering
Engineering Express exclusively provides structural designs of building products in Florida and across the US. Here are some ways we can help
We Provide Sealed Pre-Engineered Plans For Permit
We provide sealed reports for over 300 models from most all major carriers including Trane, Carrier, Daikin as well as stands & pads from manufacturers such as Diversitech & Miami Tech & dozens more
We Provide Site-Specific Engineering When Needed
Approved contractors gain VIP access to expedited engineering, quoting & personal project management.
Begin a quote to request your custom need & start a relationship with us.
Help, Help, & More Help
Use Our Free Directory of ALL Product Approvals
Browse our extensive industry Knowledge Base
See our extensive Mechanical Equipment Forces Page
Live Chat With Us
Send Us A non-project-specific message
Smart Search Miami Dade NOA, Florida Product Approvals
& certifications from other agencies all at once with our nationally acclaimed directory search tool EngineeringPlans.com.
Use an approval from an accredited agency instead of needing an engineer-sealed plan for product certification.
Use our Free Rooftop Equipment Wind Pressure Calculator to calculate pressures & forces for up to (5) rooftop units. Order certified copies for permit or compare results with your product approval or engineering plan.
Last Update: March 26, 2025
