Declaratory Statement DS 2012-94

ISSUE: DS 2012-94. Petitioner seeks a Declaratory Statement on Section 1609.1.2 of the 2010 Florida Building Code, Building.

Petitioner in DS 2012-94 seeks clarification of the following questions:

Question 1: Does the term “protection of openings” mean the same as the term “opening protection”, as found in the text of the referenced section, and specific to “protection from windborne debris”?

Question 2: Is the non-glazed door required to comply with Section 1609.1.2?

Question 3: If the non-glazed door is not required to comply with Section 1609.1.2, but it complies with the wind load requirements of the code, would the door also comply with the code as “opening protection”?

Question 4: Would the state-approved, glazed garage door rated for non-HVHZ impact resistance be acceptable for the job (which is outside the HVHZ) without an NOA?

Background

2010 Florida Building Code, Building

1609.1.2 Protection of openings.

Glazed openings in buildings located in wind-borne debris regions shall be protected from wind-borne debris. Glazed opening protection for wind-borne debris shall meet the requirements of SSTD 12, ASTM E 1886 and ASTM E 1996, ANSI/DASMA 115 (for garage doors and rolling doors) or TAS 201, 202 and 203 or AAMA 506 referenced therein.

1. Glazed openings located within 30 feet (9.1 m) of grade shall meet the requirements of the large missile test of ASTM E 1996.

2. Glazed openings located more than 30 feet (9.1 m) above grade shall meet the provisions of the small missile test of ASTM E 1996.

3. Storage sheds that are not designed for human habitation and that have a floor area of 720 square feet (67 m2) or less are not required to comply with the mandatory windborne debris impact standards of this code.

4. Openings in sunrooms, balconies or enclosed porches constructed under existing roofs or decks are not required to be protected provided the spaces are separated from the building interior by a wall and all openings in the separating wall are protected in accordance with Section 1609.1.2 above. Such spaces shall be permitted to be designed as either partially enclosed or enclosed structures.

Products in question from the petitioner:

The request involves one of the manufacturer members, Clopay Building Product Company, offering state approved products as follows:

Product 1: State approved, non-glazed garage door not rated for impact resistance

Product 2: State approved, glazed garage door rated for non-HVHZ impact resistance

The garage doors in question will be used for separate jobs in Sarasota which is in a windborne debris region. Neither of these doors have a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA).

Staff Recommendation:

Answer: Yes, the term “protection of openings” is analogous to the term “opening protection” as referenced in Section 1609.1.2 of the 2010 Florida Building Code, Building and specific to “protection from windborne debris.”

Question 2: Is the non-glazed door required to comply with Section 1609.1.2?

Answer: No, Section 1609.1.2 is specific to glazed products.

Answer: A non-glazed door is not required to be protected in accordance with Section 1609.1.2 in a non-HVHZ zone

Question 4: Would the state-approved, glazed garage door rated for non-HVHZ impact resistance be acceptable for the job (which is outside the HVHZ) without an NOA?

Answer: Yes, if used as per the limits of use of the Product Approval.