Staff Analysis for Declaratory Statement Request DS2016-048

 

Issue: Petitioner seeks a Declaratory Statement on an interpretation of Exception 1 of Section 1609.1.2. In relation to a product applying for Product Approval under Rule 61G20-3.

 

Question:

 

Would an opening protection system that is tested and analyzed for load resistance, is non-porous in accordance with ASTM E1996, has been tested for cycling and is used in accordance with aforesaid limits of use a. through k. be within the exemption requirements of Section 1609.1.2 Protection of openings and not require to be tested to an impact test?

 

 

 

 

 

Background:

The Petitioner, Ted Berman of Ted Berman and Associates LLC is seeking a Florida product approval “FL 1979” for their Plysnap hurricane protection system to be used for protection of openings.  The system consists of 7/16” wood panels attached to a structure with screws that support a wedge that keep the wood panels in position.  The system would enclose the opening to be protected and is considered a non-porous system in accordance with ASTM E1996.  The Plysnap hurricane protection system has been tested in accordance with TAS 202 (load test) and TAS 203 (cyclic test).  The petitioner is a consulting engineering firm working for a client firm of Eye Protection 2, LLC, located at 339 Spectrum Rd, Summerville SC 29486.  This client is seeking approval for their plysnap hurricane protection system to be used for protection of openings.

 

 

The product approval is being applied for with the following limits of use:

 

a)      Minimum thickness of wood panels 7/16 inch.

b)      Maximum Panel span 8 feet.

c)      Permitted use in one and two story buildings classified as Group R-3 or R4 occupancy.

d)      Panels shall be precut so that they shall be attached to the framing surrounding the opening containing the product.

e)      Panels shall be predrilled as required for the anchorage method.

f)       Panels shall be secured with the attachment hardware provided.

g)      Attachments shall be designed to resist the components and cladding loads determined in accordance with the provisions of ASCE 7

h)      Anchors shall be corrosion resistant permanently installed on the building.

i)        Buildings shall have a mean roof height of 45 feet or less.

j)        Wind velocity shall be less than 140 mph.

k)      Not be used on essential facilities.

 

The petitioner would like to know if an opening protection system that is test and analyzed for load resistance, is non-porous in accordance with ASTM 1996, has been tested for cycling, and used in accordance with the aforesaid limits of above, would be within the exemption requirements of Florida Building Code, Building, Section 1609.1.2, Exception 4, Protection of openings and not required to be tested to an impact test.  Petitioner respectfully believes that the answer is yes.

 

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REFERENCES:

 

5th Edition (2014) Florida Building Code, Building

Chapter 16

Section 1609.1.2

 

1609.1.2 Protection of openings. In wind-borne debris regions, glazed openings in buildings shall be impact

resistant or protected with an impact-resistant covering meeting the requirements of SSTD 12,

ANSI/DASMA 115 (for garage doors and rolling doors) or TAS 201, 202 and 203, AAMA 506. ASTM E 1996 and ASTM E 1886 referenced herein, or an approved impact-resistant standard as follows:

 

1. Glazed openings located within 30 feet (9144 mm) of grade shall meet the requirements of the

large missile test of ASTM E 1996.

 

2. Glazed openings located more than 30 feet (9144 mm) 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.

 

Exceptions:

 

1. Wood structural panels with a minimum thickness of 7/16 inch (11.1 mm) and maximum panel

span of 8 feet (2438 mm) shall be permitted for opening protection in one- and two-story build-

ings classified as Group R-3 or R-4 occupancy. Panels shall be precut so that they shall be

attached to the framing surrounding the opening containing the product with the glazed opening.

Panels shall be predrilled as required for the anchorage method and shall be secured with the

attachment hardware provided. Attachments shall be designed to resist the components and cladding

loads determined in accordance with the provisions of ASCE 7, with corrosion-resistant attachment

hardware provided and anchors permanently installed on the building. Attachment in accordance

with Table 1609.1.2 with corrosion-resistant attachment hardware provided and anchors permanently installed on the building is permitted for buildings with a mean roof height of 45 feet (13 716 mm) or less where Vasd deter- mined in accordance with Section 1609.3.1 does not exceed 140 mph (63 m/s).

 

2. Glazing in Risk Category I buildings as defined in Section 1604.5, including greenhouses that are occupied for growing plants on a production or research basis, without public access shall be per- mitted to be unprotected.

 

3. Glazing in Risk Category II, III or IV buildings located over 60 feet (18 288  mm)  above  the ground and over 30 feet (9144 mm) above aggregate surface roofs located within 1,500 feet (458m) of the building shall be permitted to be unprotected.

 

TABLE 1609.1.2

WIND-BORNE DEBRIS PROTECTION FASTENING SCHEDULE FOR WOOD STRUCTURAL PANELSa, b, c, d

 

 

FASTENER TYPE

FASTENER SPACING (inches)

Panel Span

≤ 4 feet

4 feet < Panel Span ≤ 6 feet

6 feet < Panel Span ≤ 8 feet

No. 8 wood-screw- based anchor with 2- inch embedment length

 

16

 

10

 

8

No. 10 wood-screw- based anchor with 2- inch embedment length

 

16

 

12

 

9

1/4 -inch diameter lag-screw-based anchor with 2-inch embedment length

 

16

 

16

 

16

 

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 4.448 N, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.

 

a)    This table is based on a Vasd determined in accordance with Section 1609.3.1, of 140 mph and a 45-foot mean roof height.

 

b)    Fasteners shall be installed at opposing ends of the wood structural panel. Fasteners shall be located a minimum of 1 inch from the edge of the panel.

 

c)    Anchors shall penetrate through the exterior wall covering with an embedment length of 2 inches minimum into the building frame. Fasteners shall be located a minimum of 21/ inches from the edge of concrete block or concrete.

 

d)    Where panels are attached to masonry or masonry/stucco, they shall be attached using vibration-resistant anchors having a minimum ultimate withdrawal capacity of 1,500 pounds.

 

1609.1.2.4 Impact-resistant coverings.

1609.1.2.4.1
Impact-resistant coverings shall be tested at 1.5 times the design pressure (positive or negative) expressed in pounds per square feet as determined by Section 1609 or ASCE 7, for which the specimen is to be tested. The design pressures, as determined from ASCE 7, are permitted to be multiplied by 0.6.

1609.1.2.4.2 Impact-resistant coverings.
Impact resistant coverings shall be labeled in accordance with the provisions of Section 1710.8.

Current approval with similar scope to the application in question:

 

Product as approved affirms compliance with ASTM E 1886 and SSTD 12.

 

5th Edition (2014) Florida Building Code, Building

 

CHAPTER 1 SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION

 

[A] 104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of

construction and equipment. The provisions of this code

are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or

to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically

prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative

has been approved. An alternative material, design or

method of construction shall be approved where the building

official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and

complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and

that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose

intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code

in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability

and safety.

 

Staff anslysis:

 

Question: Would an opening protection system that is tested and analyzed for load resistance, is non-porous in accordance with ASTM E1996, has been tested for cycling and is used in accordance with aforesaid limits of use a. through k. be within the exemption requirements of Section 1609,1,2 Protection of openings and not require to be tested to an impact test?

 

Answer:

 

Option #1/Petitioner:  Petitioner respectfully believes that the answer is yes.  Section 1609.1.2 Protection of Opening is clear in requiring the impact testes on numerals 1 and 2, but the Exemption is added and the Plysnap hurricane protection system when tested and analyzed for loads, subject to a cycle test, and non-porous in accordance with ASTM E1996 and limit its use in accordance with the aforesaid limit a through k complies with the exemption requirements of Section 1609.1.2.  Therefore the product has complied with all the requirements of the Florida Building Code, 5th Edition (2014) and a Florida product approval may be granted.

 

Option #2/Staff:  The product in question is a proposed alternative to the Wood Structural Panels (prescriptive specification method for protection of opening) as specified in Section 1609.1.2, Exception, of the 5th Edition (2014) Florida Building Code “FBC”, Building.   As per Section 104.11 of the Florida Building Code, Building, an alternative method of construction to that prescribed in the FBC is subject to review and approval by the local building official, when such alternative is substantiated to be equivalent of that prescribed in the FBC in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety.  Therefore, the Florida Building Commission has no authority to approve said alternate as part of the State Product Approval Program.

 

Option #3/Staff: The answer is No. The product in question must also demonstrate compliance with the appropriate impact resistance standard(s) as required by Section 1609.1.2.