What is a Product Performance Evaluation & A TER?
A product performance evaluation or TER (Technical Evaluation Report) is a set of general instructions describing how to assemble a building product to a given performance limit without regard to a specific installation location.
Example of a Technical Evaluation Report (TER)
Unlike a location-specific (or site-specific) plan, performance evaluations are typically used by manufacturers and their installers to describe and bid projects using general installation conditions of a building product.
The general evaluation is then adapted for a permitted site-specific installation by a qualified design professional.
Product evaluations typically contain a number of installation combinations that the user is to select to determine their installation condition. Chapter 16 of the FBC/IBC describes the design parameters from which the master plan is compared or modified.
Like Assembling A Bike
These general performance reports can be compared to instructions of how to assemble a bicycle.
The bike assembly instructions don’t say how to assemble a bicycle just for you, but how they all go together and how the seat, handlebars, and gears can be set to your liking.
A site-specific plan and would be similar to saying how that specific bicycle settings are placed set for your specific use.
Code References That Govern Evaluation Reports
Governing engineering statutes in many states contain language regarding the development and use of product evaluation documents. As an example, Florida Administrative Code 61G15-36 defines Product Evaluation Documents as:
(2) Product Evaluation Documents. Engineering documents that define procedures, materials, devices, fabrication, and methods of construction and installation of a product, or standardized group of products, through product evaluation or rational analysis, with the objective of obtaining approval from the authority having jurisdiction of that product for installation. Product evaluation documents shall be generic and do not include documents prepared for a site specific project.
Also from the Florida Administrative Code
61G15-36.003 Common Requirements to all Product Evaluation Documents.
(1) The product evaluation for various sizes and design capacities shall be specific for each size and design capacity listed.
(2) The documents shall include engineering data presented in a manner that facilitates the application of the product at the project site. The documents shall be annotated to the effect that alterations or additions to the document are not permitted.
(3) The documents shall state under which conditions the product evaluation is suitable to be applied by the Contractor or under which conditions the product evaluation is only for use by a licensed engineer or architect acting as a Delegated Engineer. The requirements for submission of delegated engineering documents found in subsection 61G15-30.005(2), F.A.C., may be waived at the option of the engineer who prepares the product evaluation documents.
(4) The documents shall comply with Chapter 61G15-23, F.A.C., regarding seals, and shall bear the original seal, signature and date, or shall meet the procedure for signing and sealing electronically transmitted plans, specifications, reports or other documents.
Manufacturers typically request Master Plan Sheets for the building components they produce, while contractors and end users typically want a site-specific plan for their installation condition but could also use a certified master plan sheet (sealed by an engineer) to submit for a permit.
A design professional or permitte is responsible for verifying the applicability of the site-specific loading conditions. Building departments typically require performance evaluations to be marked up with the spans, details, conditions, and options selected for a project.
Engineering Express specializes in the adaptation of Master Plans to site-specific projects. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Engineering Express provides hundreds of TER’s and Master Plans in our Plan Store.
We create these for our manufacturer clients so their installers can quickly and easily obtain sealed copies to obtain their building permit.
Contact your local building official BEFORE ordering any engineering to determine what exactly is needed for permit. We can assist in providing documentation to building officials to substantiate our reports and provide site-specific loading conditions to verify the appliciblity of the document.
Manufacturers: Contact Us to discuss your need.
Additional Knowledge Base Articles
Product Approvals Are Not Always Required – Here’s Why
When is a Miami Dade Product Approval Required?
How do I Quickly Get a Certified TER or Master Plan?
Can a Plan Reviewer or Building Inspector Deny The Use of a TER or Master Plan?
What do I do if a TER isn’t enough for a permit?
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Last Update: May 5, 2025
