ISSUE: DS 2012-052. Ms Kavita Vallabhaneni, Petitioner, seeks a Declaratory Statement concerning whether windload provisions of the code apply to chillers.

Petitioner in DS 2012-052 seeks clarification on the requirements of the Florida Building Code, Mechanical, as follows:

1. Does the Florida Statute 553.844(4) exempt exposed mechanical equipment, including the cooling tower structural system, from design for wind loads in accordance with the Florida Building Code?

2. Does Senate Bill 704 (Building Construction and Inspection), which was signed by Governor Rick Scott, extend the expiration of FS 553.844 until 2013?

The Baltimore Aircoil Company is a manufacturer of cooling towers for installation in the United States. In many cases cooling towers are located on a roof top, bolted to supports, and are exposed to the wind and other elements. A customer in South Florida asked if cooling towers are included in Florida Statute 553.844(4). Petitioner needs clarification as to whether the FBC requirements pertain to the cooling tower structural system itself or just to tie down supports.

Background:

1. Section 908.4 of the Florida Building Code, Mechanical, Support and anchorage, states (in part): “Supports for cooling towers, evaporative condensers and fluid coolers shall be designed in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Building.”

2. Section 301.12 of the Florida Building Code, Mechanical, states: “Mechanical equipment, appliances and supports that are exposed to wind shall be designed and installed to resist the wind pressures on the equipment and the supports as determined in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Building. Roof-mounted mechanical units and supports shall be secured to the structure. The use of wood “sleepers” shall not be permitted.”

3. Ch 553.884, Section 16 (4), Florida Statutes, states: “Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, exposed mechanical equipment or appliances fastened to a roof or installed on the ground in compliance with the code using rated stands, platforms, curbs, slabs, or other means are deemed to comply with the wind resistance requirements of the 2007 Florida Building Code, as amended. Further support or enclosure of such mechanical equipment or appliances is not required by a state or local official having authority to enforce the Florida Building Code. This subsection expires on the effective date of the 2013 2010 Florida Building Code.

Recommendations: Staff provides the following suggested responses to petitioner’s questions:

1. To the question, Does the Florida Statute 553.844(4) exempt exposed mechanical equipment, including the cooling tower structural system, from design for wind loads in accordance with the Florida Building Code?, the answer is NO, Section 908.4 of the Florida Building Code, Mechanical, requires supports for cooling towers, evaporative condensers and fluid coils to be designed in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Building.

2. To the question, Does Senate Bill 704 (Building Construction and Inspection), which was signed by Governor Rick Scott, extend the expiration of FS 553.844 until 2013?, the answer is YES, HB 704 provides for extending the expiration of an exemption from the wind resistance requirements of the Florida Building Code that are specific to enclosure of exposed mechanical equipment or appliances.