FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION
BUILDING (STRUCTURAL) TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2014
1:00 P.M. – 4:59 P.M

 

TELECONFERENCE/WEBINAR MEETING 
FROM TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
Public point of access: Suite 90A, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida.

 TAC/POC MEMBERS AND OBJECTIVES

STRUCTURAL TAC MEMBERS Present: James Schock, CW Macomber, Dick Wilhelm for Steve Strawn, Daniel L. Lavrich, Do Y. Kim, Jamie Gascon, Warner Chang, David Compton

Ř Objectives 
* To accept final reports on research projects

Discuss and recommend potential research topics for consideration by the Commission

 MEETING AGENDA

OBJECTIVE

REVIEW OF OBJECTIVES WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:  Description of issue, discussion by TAC, public comment, TAC action

1:00 P.M.

 1)

Welcome and Opening Roll Call

Reviewed and Approved of the June 24, 2014 Meeting Agenda
Reviewed and Approved the June 6, 2014 Minutes.

2)

The TAC felt the reports satisfied the contractual agreement on research projects.  The TAC also felt that an amendment to the motion was needed to add a provision for an on-site meeting prior to the Commission taking up the final report so that further discussion can be achieved.  The following projects were unanimously accepted with the added provision

1)      Investigation of wood structural panels for opening protection. ( Project #3 )

The TAC heard a presentation of a final report from DR. Forrest Masters of the University of Florida Engineering School for Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment regarding their findings of wood structural panel research.  Comments made were:

a). A comment was stated that hurricane protection industry is using an alternative test method to ASTM E-330, tend to use a ramp load method to failure and divide by 1.5, not really using the .6 multiplier.  It was stated that future tests may want to be run and divide by 1.67 instead of 1.5

 

b).It was stated that there was no insurance reduction granted for using wood structural panel.

 

c). It was asked are impact resistant coverings testing for all coverings the minimum be 140asd design pressure?  It was stated that it may be a little hard to show this on the teleconference on 1 screen.  It was stated 130 within 1 mile of the coast.  There was a comment that the problem is that the Building volume says 140 and the Residential says 130 there is a difference in this section in the two volumes of the code.  It was stated that he just wanted to add this for future discussion and this includes all impact resistant coverings.  It was said from a user standpoint they are following the standard not a chart in the FBC and when choosing the pressure for a structure they rely on an engineer to test for ultimate.

 

d) It was asked what type of OSB (grade) was used.  APA classifies 2 different types with one with superior glues and one may be more durable in wet conditions.  Dr. Masters said he will include that in final report with grade stamp and that phase 2 should address the grades and saturation and deterioration levels.

 

e). It was asked how much degradation to fastener holes and how many seasons will you get out of the panel before you have to replace them and possibly should be considered.

 

2)     Full scale wind load testing of aluminum screen enclosures ( Project # 4 )

The TAC heard a presentation from Dr. Sungmoon Jung from Florida State University on a Phase I study of aluminum screen enclosures. 

a). A comment was made on the thickness of the coupon.  Also clarification of and the correlation of the test windspeed and the design windspeed was asked for. 

b). Failures of past screen enclosures/cages were because lack of lateral bracing and racked

c).  Does the AAF design guide address the attachment.  It was stated that it is possible but no one was sure.

d).  There was also a comment that there was a lot of testing to do in such a short timeframe.  There is a good baseline data set and should be careful making any assumptions.

e).  It was also stated that all the code changes mentioned would go before the TAC through the code change process. 

f).  It was asked why this testing was done and Sungmoon commented that this was the first time ever that full-scale testing was done.  There were some smaller tests done in the past but no full scale tests were done.

g).  It was asked why exposure B and not exposure D.  It was stated that the St. Johns county focus group was used which is exposure B.  It was also the maximum the facility could perform for the testing.

h).  Was any analysis done on catenary forces was asked and Sungmoon Jung said no catenary forces testing was done.

i).  It was stated again that this is difficult to discuss over teleconference and a face-to-face meeting would be preferred.

3). Feasibility study for in-home storm shelters in Florida residential homes. ( Project # 5)

The TAC heard a presentation from Dr. David Prevatt from the University of Florida Engineering School for Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment on their Phase I study on in-home storm shelters.

a)       It was stated that everything in the presentation was based upon what was found in Joplin and their construction in those portions of the country is different.  Tornadoes there are somewhat different in that portion of the country.  The reason those roofs come off that is that they are not anchored.  Dr. Prevatt agreed with what was said that roofs are blown off in Florida and just because we have a good building code it means that 70% of the homes are not up to standards and he saw them that they were not up to now. 

b)      It was also stated that there was no comparison to those homes built under the Florida Building code today to those of homes built in the 60’s.

c)      It was also stated that corner buttressing to prevent wall collapse should be considered.

d)      It was stated that too much attention is being made towards tornadoes and not hurricanes.

e)      It was also stated that this a Phase 1 feasibility study and that if more attention to roof types

f)       Storm shelters are a good idea for the interior areas of the State.  Title for study should be called “Storm Shelters for Florida residential Homes not located in the Evacuation Zone  Don’t want the homeowner to have false sense of security and want the citizens to evacuate.  Help could not be available for several days.

g)      Strapping down the roof is very important not sure how cost effective the corner bracing will be

3)

The committee voted to defer the Discussion and recommendation of potential future research topics for consideration by the Commission to the next Structural TAC meeting.

4)

With no other business and comments from TAC and public

5)

Adjourned at 4:59 PM

 STAFF CONTACTS: Joe Bigelow, Planning Analyst joe.bigelow@myfloridalicense.com
 (850) 717-1829 or Mo Madani, Manager mo.madani@myfloridalicense.com

Note: This document is available to any person requiring materials in alternate format upon request.  Contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Suite 90, 1940 N. Monroe, Tallahassee, Florida 32399 or call 850-487-1824.