Declaratory Statement DS 2012-76

ISSUE: DS 2012-76.  Petitioner seeks a Declaratory Statement on Sections 2411.1.11 and 2411.3.3.7 of the 2010 Florida Building Code, Building.

Petitioner in DS 2012-76 seeks clarification of the following questions:

Question 1:  Is this large missile impact rated window (see case 1), with IG impact glass consisting of non-safety rated glass as the exterior pane, acceptable for installation into the 10th floor of the building mentioned above or must casement windows exterior single pane glass be tempered/safety glazed?

Question 2: Is this large missile impact rated window (see Case 2) , with IG impact glass consisting of non-safety rated glass as the exterior pane, acceptable for installation next to the door as described above or must the windows exterior single pane of glass be tempered/safety glazed?

Question 3: Is this large missile impact rated door (see case 3), with IG impact glass consisting of non-safety rated glass as the exterior pane, acceptable for installation into the building described above or must the doors exterior single pane of glass be tempered/safety glazed?

Background:

2010 Florida Building Code, Building

 

SECTION 2410 HIGH-VELOCITY HURRICANE ZONES— GENERAL

2410.1 Exterior wall cladding, surfacing and glazing, where provided, shall be as set forth in Sections 2410 through 2415.

2410.2 Exterior wall cladding, surfacing and glazing shall be designed and constructed to sufficiently resist the full pressurization from the wind loads prescribed in Chapter 16 (High-Velocity Hurricane Zones) and the concentrated loads that result from hurricane-generated wind-borne debris.

1.         Exterior wall cladding, surfacing and glazing, within the lowest 30 feet (9.1 m) of the exterior building walls shall be of sufficient strength to resist large missile impacts as outlined in Chapter 16 (High-Velocity Hurricane Zones).

2.         Exterior wall cladding, surfacing and glazing located above the lowest 30 feet (9.1 mm) of the exterior building walls shall be of sufficient strength to resist small missile impacts as outlined in Chapter 16 (High-Velocity Hurricane Zones).

Exception:       Exterior wall cladding, surfacing and glazing when protected by fixed, operable or portable shutters or screens which have product approval to resist full pressurization from wind loads as well as large and small missile impacts as outlined in the high-velocity hurricane provisions of Chapter 16, without deforming to the point where the substrate being protected is compromised.

SECTION 2411 HIGH-VELOCITY HURRICANE ZONES— WINDOWS, DOORS, GLASS AND GLAZING

2411.1.11 Exterior lite of glass in an insulated glass unit shall be safety glazed.

Exceptions:

1.         Large missile impact-resistant glazed assemblies.

2.         Nonmissile impact units protected with shutters.

2411.3.3.7 Exterior lite of glass in an insulated glass unit shall be safety glazed.

Exceptions:

1.         Large missile impact-resistant glazed assemblies.

2.         Non-missile impact units protected with shutters.

2411.4.3 Glazed panels located adjacent to, or in doors, shall be of safety glazing, in accordance with the following:

1.   All glazed panels through which a 3-inch-diameter (76 mm) sphere is able to pass.

2.   In all occupancies, any glazing material adjacent to a door within 48 inches (1219 mm) of the door in the closed position and below the top of the door.

Exceptions:

1.   Wired glass in fire doors.

2.   Leaded glass of 30 square inches (.02 m2) or less.

3.   Curved glass in revolving doors.

4.   Commercial refrigerated cabinet doors.

5.   A solar screen may serve as a safeguard where such screen complies with strength requirements of railings.

Petitioner Cases:

Case 1. Large missile impact approved exterior casement window being installed into an opening at the 10th floor of a building located in Miami-Dade County (HVHZ).  Window has large missile impact rated IG glass that consists of laminated exterior glass and single pane annealed exterior glass.  Windows located in the below floors are potentially small missile rated products.

Case 2: Large missile impact approved exterior fixed window being installed directly next to an entry door of a building located in Miami- Dade County (HVHZ). Window height is that of the door, its day light opening width is at least 36”, the window sill extends to the floor level, and the window has large missile impact rated IG glass that consists of laminated interior glass and single pane annealed exterior glass.

Case 3. Large missile impact approved exterior out-swing French full light glass door being installed as a main entry door into a building located in Miami-Dade County (HVHZ).  Door has large missile impact rated IG glass that consists of laminated interior glass and single pane annealed exterior glass. 

Staff Recommendation:

Question 1.  Is this large missile impact rated window (see case 1), with IG impact glass consisting of non-safety rated glass as the exterior pane, acceptable for installation into the 10th floor of the building mentioned above or must casement windows exterior single pane glass be tempered/safety glazed?

Answer: For a window as stated in Case 1, the casement window in question must meet the requirements of both section 2410.2(2) and section 2411.1.11 Florida Building Code, Building.  This means that the window in question must be of sufficient strength to resist the small missile impact applications as outlined in Chapter 16 (HVHZ) and must have an Exterior lite that is safety glazed.

Question 2: Is this large missile impact rated window (see Case 2) , with IG impact glass consisting of non-safety rated glass as the exterior pane, acceptable for installation next to the door as described above or must the windows exterior single pane of glass be tempered/safety glazed?

Answer: For a window as stated in Case 2, the exterior fixed window in question must meet the requirements of both section 2411.4.3 and section 2411.1.11 of the Florida Building Code, Building.   This means that in addition to meeting the requirements of Section 2411.1.11, the window in question must also comply with the safety glazing requirements of Section 2411.4.3 as applicable.

Question 3: Is this large missile impact rated door (see case 3), with IG impact glass consisting of non-safety rated glass as the exterior pane, acceptable for installation into the building described above or must the doors exterior single pane of glass be tempered/safety glazed?

Answer: For a door as stated in Case 3, the door in question must meet the requirements of both section 2411.4.3 and section 2411.1.11 of the Florida Building Code, Building.  This means that in addition to meeting the requirements of Section 2411.1.11, the door in question must also comply with the safety glazing requirements of Section 2411.4.3 as applicable.