Issue: DS 2012-097 by Robert Moody, Jr., Chief Operating Officer of URETEK Holdings,Inc. The request is specific to the application and the use of polyurethane resins under an existing dwelling for soil stabilization.

Background:

2010 Florida Building Code, Residential

CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION

SECTION R101 TITLE, SCOPE AND PURPOSE

R101.1 Title. These provisions shall be known as the Florida Building Code, Residential, and shall be cited as such and will be referred to herein as "this code."

R101.2 Scope. The provisions of the Florida Building Code, Residential , shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal and demolition of detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures.

Exception: Existing buildings undergoing repair, alteration or additions, and change of occupancy shall comply with the Florida Existing Building Code.

R101.2.1 The provisions of Chapter 1, Florida Building Code, Building, shall govern the administration and enforcement of the Florida Building Code, Residential .

R101.3 Purpose. Reserved.

R318.1 Termite Protection.

Termite protection shall be provided by registered termiticides, including soil applied pesticides, baiting systems, and pesticides applied to wood, or other approved methods of termite protection labeled for use as a preventative treatment to new construction. See Section 202, REGISTERED TERMITICIDE. Upon completion of the application of the termite protective treatment, a Certificate of Compliance shall be issued to the building department by the licensed pest control company that contains the following statement: “The building has received a complete treatment for the prevention of subterranean termites. Treatment is in accordance with rules and laws established by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.”

R318.5 Foam plastic protection.

In areas where the probability of termite infestation is “very heavy” as indicated in Figure R301.2(6), extruded and expanded polystyrene, polyisocyanurate and other foam plastics shall not be installed on the exterior face or under interior or exterior foundation walls or slab foundations located below grade. The clearance between foam plastics installed above grade and exposed earth shall be at least 6 inches (152 mm).

Exceptions:

1. Buildings where the structural members of walls, floors, ceilings and roofs are entirely of noncombustible materials or pressure-preservative-treated wood.

2. When in addition to the requirements of Section R318.1, an approved method of protecting the foam plastic and structure from subterranean termite damage is used.

3. On the interior side of basement walls.

2010 Florida Building Code, Building

CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 101 GENERAL

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Florida Building Code hereinafter referred to as "this code."

101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.

Exceptions:

1. Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the Florida Building Code, Residential .

2. Existing buildings undergoing repair, alterations or additions and change of occupancy shall comply with Chapter 34 of this code.

2010 Florida Building Code, Existing

101.2 Scope.

The provisions of the Florida Building Code, Existing Building shall apply to the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings.

101.4 Applicability.

This code shall apply to the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of all existing buildings, regardless of occupancy, subject to the criteria of Sections 101.4.1 and 101.4.2.

101.5 Compliance methods.

The repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition or relocation of all existing buildings shall comply with one of the methods listed in Sections 101.5.1 through 101.5.3 as selected by the applicant. Application of a method shall be the sole basis for assessing the compliance of work performed under a single permit unless otherwise approved by the code official. Sections 101.5.1 through 101.5.3 shall not be applied in combination with each other.

Exception: Subject to the approval of the code official, alterations complying with the laws in existence at the time the building or the affected portion of the building was built shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code unless the building is undergoing more than a limited structural alteration as defined in Section 807.4.3. New structural members added as part of the alteration shall comply with the Florida Building Code, Building. Alterations of existing buildings in flood hazard areas shall comply with Section 601.3.

101.5.1 Prescriptive compliance method.

Repairs, alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 3 of this code in buildings complying with the Florida Fire Prevention Code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

101.5.2 Work area compliance method.

Repairs, alterations, additions, changes in occupancy and relocated buildings complying with the applicable requirements of Chapters 4 through 12 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

101.5.3 Performance compliance method.

Repairs, alterations, additions, changes in occupancy and relocated buildings complying with Chapter 13 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS

ADDITION. An extension or increase in floor area, number of stories, or height of a building or structure.

ALTERATION. Any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than a repair or addition. Alterations are classified as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.

CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY. A change in the purpose or level of activity within a building that involves a change in application of the requirements of this code.

REPAIR. The patching, restoration and/or minor replacement of materials, elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures for the purposes of maintaining such materials, elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures in good or sound condition.

CHAPTER 3 PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE METHOD

301.2 Building materials.

[B] SECTION 304 REPAIRS

304.1 General.

Buildings and structures, and parts thereof, shall be repaired in conformance with this section and with Section 301.2. Work on nondamaged components that is necessary for the required repair of damaged components shall be considered part of the repair and shall not be subject to the requirements for alterations in this chapter. Routine maintenance required by Section 301.2, ordinary repairs exempt from permit in accordance with Section 105.2, and abatement of wear due to normal service conditions shall not be subject to the requirements for repairs in this section.

304.1.1 Dangerous conditions.

Regardless of the extent of structural or nonstructural damage, the code official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.

304.2 Substantial structural damage to vertical elements of the lateral-force-resisting system.

A building that has sustained substantial structural damage to the vertical elements of its lateral-force-resisting system shall be evaluated and repaired in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 304.2.1 through 304.2.3.

304.2.1 Evaluation.

The building shall be evaluated by a registered design professional, and the evaluation findings shall be submitted to the code official. The evaluation shall establish whether the damaged building, if repaired to its pre-damage state, would comply with the provisions of this code for wind loads. Wind loads for this evaluation shall be those prescribed in Section 1609 of the Florida Building Code, Building.

304.2.2 Extent of repair for compliant buildings.

If the evaluation establishes compliance of the pre-damage building in accordance with Section 304.2.1, then repairs shall be permitted that restore the building to its pre-damage state using materials and strengths that existed prior to the damage.

304.2.3 Extent of repair for noncompliant buildings.

If the evaluation does not establish compliance of the pre-damage building in accordance with Section 304.2.1, then the building shall be rehabilitated to comply with applicable provisions of the Florida Building Code, Building for load combinations, including wind. The wind loads for the repair shall be as required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction, unless the damage was caused by wind, in which case the wind loads shall be as required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction or as required by the Florida Building Code, Building, whichever are greater. New structural members and connections required by this rehabilitation design shall comply with the detailing provisions of the Florida Building Code, Building for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.

304.3 Substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components.

Gravity load-carrying components that have sustained substantial structural damage shall be rehabilitated to comply with the applicable provisions of the Florida Building Code, Building for dead and live loads. Existing gravity load-carrying structural elements shall be permitted to be designed for live loads approved prior to the damage. Nondamaged gravity load-carrying components that receive dead or live loads from rehabilitated components shall also be rehabilitated or shown to have the capacity to carry the design loads of the rehabilitation design. New structural members and connections required by this rehabilitation design shall comply with the detailing provisions of the Florida Building Code, Building for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.

304.3.1 Lateral force-resisting elements.

Regardless of the level of damage to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system, if substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components was caused primarily by wind effect, then the building shall be evaluated in accordance with Section 304.2.1 and, if noncompliant, rehabilitated in accordance with Section 304.2.3.

304.4 Less than substantial structural damage.

For damage less than substantial structural damage, repairs shall be allowed that restore the building to its pre-damage state using materials and strengths that existed prior to the damage. New structural members and connections used for this repair shall comply with the detailing provisions of the Florida Building Code, Building, for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.

Work Area Method:

CHAPTER 5 REPAIRS

CHAPTER 5 REPAIRS

502.2 New and replacement materials.

Except as otherwise required or permitted by this code, materials permitted by the applicable code for new construction shall be used. Like materials shall be permitted for repairs and alterations, provided no dangerous or unsafe condition, as defined in Chapter 2, is created. Hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead-based paint, shall not be used where the code for new construction would not permit their use in buildings of similar occupancy, purpose and location.

506.2 Repairs to damaged buildings.

Repairs to damaged buildings shall comply with this section and Section 611, Reroofing.

506.2.1 Repairs for less than substantial structural damage.

For damage less than substantial structural damage, the damaged elements shall be permitted to be restored to their predamage condition.

506.2.2 Repairs for substantial structural damage to elements of the lateral-force-resisting system.

A building that has sustained substantial structural damage to the elements of its lateral force-resisting system shall be evaluated in accordance with Section 506.2.2.1, and either repaired in accordance with Section 506.2.2.2 or repaired and rehabilitated in accordance with Section 506.2.2.3 depending on the results of the evaluation.

506.2.2.1 Evaluation.

The building shall be evaluated by a registered design professional, and the evaluation findings shall be submitted to the code official. The evaluation shall establish whether the damaged building, if repaired to its predamaged state, would comply with the provisions of the codes that were in effect when the building was permitted.

506.2.2.2 Extent of repair for compliant buildings.

If the evaluation establishes that the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 506.2.2.1, then the damaged elements shall be permitted to be restored to their predamage condition.

506.2.2.3 Extent of repair for noncompliant buildings.

If the evaluation does not establish that the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 506.2.2.1, then the building shall be rehabilitated to comply with the provisions of this section. The wind load for the repair and rehabilitation shall be those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction, unless the damage was caused by wind, in which case the wind loads shall be in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Building.

506.2.3 Substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components.

Gravity load-carrying components that have sustained substantial structural damage shall be rehabilitated to comply with the applicable provisions for dead and live loads in the Florida Building Code, Building. Undamaged gravity load-carrying components that receive dead or live loads from rehabilitated components shall also be rehabilitated if required to comply with the design loads of the rehabilitation design.

506.2.3.1 Lateral force-resisting elements.

Regardless of the level of damage to elements of the lateral force-resisting system, if substantial structural damage to load-carrying components was caused primarily by wind effects, then the building shall be evaluated in accordance with Section 506.2.2.1 and, if noncompliant, rehabilitated in accordance with Section 506.2.2.3.

Staff recommendation:

One future project involves application of the polymer to an approximate 2,000 square foot

single‐family dwelling that is approximately sixteen years old of masonry wall and spread

footing construction. In this example, the polymer is injected deep under the perimeter

foundation walls in a process that surgically injects the material at an exact elevation, usually

4.0’ below land surface or deeper. The installed polymer is not in contact with the foundation

in this application.

A second future project involves application of the polymer to a similar 2,000 square foot

single‐family dwelling, however in this example there is monolithic slab construction with

integral footing in which there is void space beneath the slab as the result of ground

subsidence. In this example, the polymer is injected through the slab in a process that fills the

voids, penetrates the soils and restores the capability of the soil to accommodate all loads. The

installed polymer is in contact with the foundation/slab in this application.

Question No. 1

Is the installation of a rigid structural geotechnical polymer into the ground as a method of

soil stabilization for an existing building prohibited by the 2010 Florida Building Code,

Residential, Chapter 3, Code Section R318.5?

Answer: No. The provisions of Section R318.5 of the FBC, Residential do not apply to the projects in question.

Question No. 2

Are soil stabilization techniques as discussed herein regulated by 2010 Florida Building Code –

Residential and/or Existing Building?

Answer: The applications of the soil stabilization techniques in question fall within the technical scope of the 2010 Florida Building Code, Existing Building and not the Florida Building Code, Residential.