Interim Report for Project Entitled:

Investigation of Fastening of Wood Structural Panels for Opening Protection

PO Number A95F33

Performance Period: 1/6/2014 – 6/30/2014

Submitted on

March 15, 2014

Presented to the

Florida Building Commission

State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Forrest J. Masters, Ph.D., P.E., masters@ce.ufl.edu, (352) 392-9537 x 1505, Principal Investigator

Kurtis R. Gurley, Ph.D., kgurl@ce.ufl.edu, (352) 392-9537 x 1508

Designated Project Leader: Forrest Masters

Engineering School for Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1. Applicable Sections of the Code....................................................................................................... 1

2. Executive Summary........................................................................................................................ 1

2.1. Description of Issues................................................................................................................. 1

2.2. Recommendations for the Code.................................................................................................. 1

3. Scope of Work................................................................................................................................ 1

4. Deliverables.................................................................................................................................... 1

5. Detailed Project Description............................................................................................................. 1

6. Reference / Project Material............................................................................................................. 2

7. Appendix – Letter from the International Hurricane Protection Association............................................ 2

1. Applicable Sections of the Code

· 1209.1.2, Exception 1, Florida Building Code 2010: Building

· Table 1609.1.2, Florida Building Code 2010: Building

· R301.2.1.2, Exception, Florida Building Code 2010: Residential

· Table R301.2.1.2, Florida Building Code 2010: Residential

2. Executive Summary

2.1. Description of Issues

The letter from Joe Belcher on behalf of the International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA) describes the project (included in the Appendix). FBC Staff requested that we provide third-party technical input, witness testing, and provide a final review of the report.

2.2. Recommendations for the Code

· Nothing to report; section reserved for final report

3. Scope of Work

· Provide consultation to IHPA on the experimental design

· Witness testing at the certified product testing laboratory

· Interpret results, determine whether the problem requires action, and produce a report that explains the results and implications for the Code

4. Deliverables

· A report providing technical information on the problem background, results and implications to the Code submitted to the Program Manager by June 15, 2014

· A breakdown of the number of hours or partial hours, in increments of fifteen (15) minutes, of work performed and a brief description of the work performed. The Contractor agrees to provide any additional documentation requested by the Department to satisfy audit requirements

5. Detailed Project Description

The investigators convened an oversight committee formed by members of APA, the American Wood Council (AWC) and the International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA) to discuss issues related to use of structural wood panels for opening protection. Two teleconferences were held.

During the first meeting (January 15, 2014), the IHPA raised four issues:

1. Limited availability in Florida to find fasteners that satisfy requirements for embedment and permanent installation

2. Guidance for large openings, such as sliding glass doors

3. Inadequate resistance to catenary forces caused by out-of-plane deflection of the structural wood panel

4. Inadequate/missing edge distance requirements

Missile impact resistance was deemed to not be an issue, thus the discussion mainly centered on resistance to out-of-plane wind loads. APA, with input from AWC, presented a proposal to revise language for the sections listed in Section 1 based on APA T460, Hurricane Shutter Design Considerations in Florida. Major changes included the addition of stiffeners and removal of 7/16 in thick structural wood panels. The group concluded the discussion with the origin of the original provisions. Ultimately, it was decided to research the background further.

In the second meeting (February 24, 2014), APA and AWC presented a revised version of the proposed code modification that excluded earlier recommendations for panel stiffeners. Basis research conducted by the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and Applied Research Associates was discussed. The APA contacted several individuals responsible for the current language in the code and determined that they “…were based on a code change proposal submitted by Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). In a discussion with IBHS, it was evident that the current code provisions are originally intended to provide a level of opening protection against possible wind-born debris impacts during a high wind event … The 7/16 inch wood structural panels were tested by IBHS at … Clemson University … in accordance with ASTM E1996 and SBCCI SSTD-12. The test results, including impact tests and cyclic pressure tests, supported the current code provisions and adopted by the IBC, IRC, and FBC committees. Note that the intent of the exception in Sections R301.2.1.2 and 1609.1.2 was intended to address the debris impact…”

One major takeaway was that structural wood panel opening protection was considered to be sufficiently air permeable to reduce cladding loads. The committee supported Dr. Masters’ proposal to conduct a series of experiments to quantify pressure equalization across the panel. UF is currently preparing a test protocol for review. UF will use a pressure loading actuator to apply sudden pressures (< 10-20 ms) to wood panel shutter systems to characterize the change in load.

The group did not reach consensus on revising the specifications for fasteners, thus Dr. Masters asked IHPA to review the proposed code modification with its members and affiliates. Engineering Express and Disaster Smart are now working with IHPA to frame a response. We are currently waiting to receive that feedback. Concurrently, we are preparing the test protocol for the pressure equalization testing for review. Testing will likely be conducted in April.