ID – Request

RESEARCH TOPIC

ESTIMATED COST

Accessibility TAC

Project #1:

 

Definition of the problem:

Evaluate the seven Florida Specific items in the Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction and see if the research shows if the specific items need to be expanded, reduced or eliminated.

 

Scope of Work: Conduct literature/statistical review of existing research and data relevant to subject of concern.  (Note: Access Board, ANSI, public/private universities..etc. have published research and data on this subject).

Expected outcome and impact on the Code:

Provide technical bases for Florida-specific items.

Estimated cost:  $20,000

 

$20,000  

 

Energy TAC

Project #2: Review of homes airtightness and ventilation approaches to the FBC. (Also, see attached)

Definition of the problem:

Provide an update to the 1995 report, which would include tracking of house airtightness trends since 1995, review of current recommendations and policies regarding house envelope airtightness, an overview of mechanical ventilation options for the Florida climate, and alternative approaches to achieving acceptable levels of ventilation while avoiding the risks associated with super-tight home enclosures and potential mechanical system failures. 

Scope of Work:

Review of existing literature, examination of experimental data and calculations of the energy impacts of using or not using various types of ventilation systems.

Expected outcome and impact on the Code:

From the recommendations of this report, it is expected that the Florida codes will be modified or adjusted to take into account the best approaches to energy efficient ventilation, indoor air quality and occupant safety, and the specific requirements of the Florida climate.

Note: The 2013 FBC, Energy Conservation – will require testing for new dwelling unit to verify an air leakage rate of not exceeding 5 air changes per hour. 

 

 

$29,800

Energy TAC

Project #3: Mechanical Code Treatment of Return Air Plenums and Air Handler Closets in HVAC Change Outs.

Staff comment: This proposal appears contrary to new Florida law which prohibits requirements for existing equipment.

 

Not code related

 

Mechanical TAC

Project #4:  An Assessment of Energy Efficient Methods of Indoor RH Control in Florida Housing for Florida Building Commission Research (Also, see attached)

 

Definition of the Problem:  The thermal efficiency of homes has improved in recent decades. Some of those improvements have reduced the amount of sensible heat entering the house (sensible heat is associated with temperature rise while latent heat is associated with water vapor in the air). Wall and attic insulation, improved duct insulation, improved windows, and better shading of windows and houses have reduced sensible heat entry into the home, which can cause the A/C system to operate less. Reduced A/C operation can lead to a reduction in water vapor removal, and the potential for an increase in indoor RH.

Scope of Wrok: Two tasks are proposed. Task 1: Our research team proposes to perform a review of literature, examination of experimental data, and an assessment of the energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of various approaches to managing the latent load in homes. Humidity control is not just a question of which appliance or technology to choose.

Task 2.  Experiments will be implemented in a highly instrumented lab facility to assess indoor RH and energy consumption (with measurement of temperature and humidity, and system energy consumption) that results from various approaches and equipment types (including a high-efficiency dehumidifier) are implemented when various levels of ventilation air are introduced to the space.

Expected Outcome and Impact on The Code: The outcome of this research will be a report that assesses the pros and cons of various approaches to indoor humidity control, with a focus on the solutions that are most energy and cost-efficient. It will address the issue of ventilation and optimized humidity control. Recommendations will be presented on fixing problems that cause elevated indoor humidity, approaches to system design, and selection of systems/technologies that can achieve energy efficient humidity control. From the recommendations of this report, it is expected that the Florida codes will be modified or adjusted to take into account the best approaches to energy- and-cost effective control of humidity in the Florida climate.

 

$54,600

Fire TAC

Project #5: Evaluate Draft-stopping performance within Type V combustible concealed attic space.

Definition of the problem:

Under the SBC, Type VI buildings were restricted to three stories with 13R sprinkler systems.  Unsprinkled concealed combustible attic spaces did not exceed greater than the three story limitation in the SBC. Under the IBC, four story combustible concealed attic spaces are permitted with no fire sprinkler protection in the attic using 13R system. Even five stories are permitted in a pedestal type arrangement. This creates a critical reliance on the performance of draft-stopping to control fire spread in a type V unsprinklered attic. There have been significant fire event where fires have progressed into the unsprinklered attic spaces in type V buildings causing the complete loss of these structures. Attic fire is extremely difficult to fire with manual fire suppression efforts. The fire performance of the code specified draft stopping materials in an attic should be reviewed to see if it is appropriately mitigating the risk as the application has been expanded to taller structures.

Scope of Work:

Phase 1:

1. Literature Review Including:

1.      Review of the existing code provisions contained in the IBC on Attic Draft-stopping;

2.      Review of the history of Attic Drafts-topping initial code justifications in the SBCCI and ICC;

3.      Review of non-IBC approaches to dealing with fire confinement in concealed combustible attic spaced; (Non-US Codes)

4.      Review of the evolution of code provisions related to the increased heights/stories allowed in IBC type V buildings from the SBC to the IBC;

5.      Review of technical literature and available fire testing data related to fire testing of draft-stopping assemblies;

6.      Review of fire incident data related to attic fires in IBC type V buildings;

7.      Review of literature regarding manual fire suppression challenges of attic fires in IBC type V buildings.

2. Conduct a field sampling assessment of existing attic draft stopping installations in both new and existing type V buildings.

3. Data Analysis and Gap Assessment: Using the information complied in Task 1 and 2 above, assess what additional information may be needed to determine if code changes are necessary to the existing attic draft stopping provisions in the IBC and recommend a methodology for a Phase II study to fill these gaps.

4. If no additional testing or data is necessary, develop code changes submittals to that ICC and justification.

Phase 2 (Potentially some all or none of these tasks depending on phase 1 results.)

  1. Fire testing;
  2. Develop code change submittals to the ICC and justification.

 

Phase 1 could be accomplished for less than $25,000. Fire Protection Engineering firms would most likely be the ones to bid this work.

 

$25,000 (phase 1)

Structural TAC

Project #6: Evaluate the structural integrity of the fastening specification for wood structural panels currently prescribed in the FBC. (Also, see attached)

Definition of the problem:

International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA) testing conducted in the recent past indicates there is a problem with the ability of the code specified fastening schedule to resist the structural loads specified by the Code for opening protection products.  Additionally, it was discovered during the testing that the fasteners specified by the code are not readily available in the marketplace.

Scope of Work:

Engineering Analysis. The performance of engineering analysis based on a review of the LRWPS and including catenary loading based on the findings of the testing previously sponsored by IHPA2 to develop values for a table that incorporates edge distance on the buck, edge distance on the panel, tensile strength, deflection, end failure, and yielding or over-pulling of the anchors used for attachment of wood structural panels. A test strategy will be developed based on the final calculations considering appropriate safety factors for wood structural panels installed using common anchors that are widely available in the marketplace.

2. Testing Program. We envision a maximum of three tests to validate the data generated in the engineering analysis. A dry test and a wet test using OSB wood structural panels in accordance with the methodology of the LRWPS and a dry test using a plywood structural panel. A Florida Building Commission approved testing laboratory, Architectural Testing, Inc., has submitted a proposal for testing at $2,925.00 per test. (Attached) All testing will be on a wood substrate in accordance with the methodology of the Study and the ATI proposal.

 

Expected outcome and impact on the Code:

The results of the engineering analysis and testing will be used to validate the existing values or develop final recommendations for new table values to replace those of Tables 1609.1.2 and R301.2.1.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building and Residential, respectively. Since previous testing indicates the current schedule is inadequate, the program will result in code provisions that improve the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

 

$10,000

Structural TAC

Project #7: Determine what types of straps in existing buildings are acceptable for insurance purposes.

Staff comment: Outside the technical scope of the FBC.

 

Not code related

 

Structural TAC

Project#8:

Definition of the problem:

Develop guidelines for strengthening a room or an area within an existing home necessary to achieve an acceptable level of protection from severe windstorm.

Scope of Work:  Investigate cost effective ways to improve protection from windstorms.  The main focus of the work is to develop concepts and methods for strengthening a room or an area within an existing house.

Phase 1: Develop methods/concepts necessary to strengthening a room or an area within an existing house through engineering and good construction practices. (Projected funds:  $20,000)

Phase 2: Validate the outcomes from phase #1 using full scale wind testing analysis.  (Projected funds: $50,000) 

Expected outcome and impact on the Code:

Provide retrofit guidelines/concepts for safe room for an existing home.

 

$20,000 (phase 1)

 

Structural TAC

Project #9: Project to evaluate the efficacy of the AAF Guide and a sample of popular engineering currently employed in the field with regard to the design and construction of screen enclosures in high wind events. (Also, see attached)

 

 

Definition of the problem:

Past storms have identified problems with screen enclosures in high wind events. The AAF has addressed the problems through scale model wind tunnel testing and extensive engineering analysis. The testing and analysis led to the development of the Guide to Aluminum Construction in High Wind Areas (Guide) by AAF and a large group of engineers practicing in the aluminum industry. The Guide was subsequently adopted as a prescriptive standard by the Florida Building Commission within the Florida Building Code. The industry is requesting assistance in the form of funding to test the efficacy of the Guide and to evaluate a sample of popular engineering currently employed in the field.

We have discussed the feasibility of such a project with Dr. Timothy Reinhold, PhD, PE, of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IIBHS). The project is considered feasible with the fee for the lab and full scale wind testing at $16,000.00 per day. The project would consist of full scale wind testing of two screen enclosures. One screen enclosure would be erected in compliance with the Guide to Aluminum Construction in High Wind Areas 2010; the other screen enclosure would be erected in compliance with popular engineering available today as identified by AAF. AAF agrees to provide all materials and labor to construct the screen enclosures at the IIBHS facility. Funds to a maximum of $50,000.00 are sought from the Commission to cover the costs of the lab time ($32,000.00 for two days), transportation of materials to the IIHBS facility, and to cover the costs for travel of the construction crew plus three representatives of AAF.

Scope of Work: 

The research proposal is to review erect two full scale screen enclosures attached to a host structure and test them using a predetermined wind speed. The enclosures will be tested separately using a uniform wind that follows an open country mean profile with typical small scale turbulence. AAF is currently discussing the engineering to be used, but the current thought is to obtain the engineering from an AAF member for a project that has been issued a building permit and duplicating the structure. A separate screen enclosure using the same parameters for size will be designed and built in accordance with the Guide.  (see attached for more details)

 

Expected outcome and impact on the Code:

The data generated by the testing will be used to:

a. Verify or invalidate current practices.

b. If indicated by tests as needed, modify existing provisions of the Guide and

submit for adoption into the code.

c. Explore possibility of using data garnered to develop provisions for retrofitting

existing screen enclosures to improve their ability to withstand high winds.

d. Advise the Florida Engineering community of the results of the testing.

$50,000

Roofing TAC

TBD - Will meet August 22, 2013