Declaratory Statement DS2013-104

ISSUE: DS2013-104 Petitioner seeks a Declaratory Statement regarding the 2010 Florida Building Code and luminaires in the public right-of-way.

Petitioner in DS2013-104 seeks clarification of the following questions:

Question 1. Does the 2010 FBC-B specify that the calculation of wind loads under Section 1609.1.1 Exception 7 applies solely to luminaires located within a public right-of-way?

Question 2. Is it the intent of the 2010 FBC-B to limit the calculation of wind loads under Section 1609.1.1 Exception 7 solely to luminaires located within a public right-of-way?

Question 3. If the answers to Questions 1 and 2 are both "No," are there any site-specific locations or conditions where the calculation of wind loads for luminaires would be disallowed under the provisions of the 2010 FBC-B Section 1609.1.1 Exception 7?

Background

Situation:

Milton Engineering Consultants (MEC) provides structural engineering design services including the design of foundations for manufactured light poles. The installed light pole assemblies (i.e. luminaires) generally consist of the pole itself and one or more lighting units either attached to the top of the pole or offset from the face of the pole using a bracket/arm component. These light pole assemblies are often used to provide lighting along various public/private roadways, and site/security lighting for residential properties, commercial properties, parking lots and public amenities (such as parks, community centers, schools, etc.)

MEC is in the process of undertaking several light pole foundation design projects in Palm Beach County, Florida. These projects can generally be classified under one of the following project types:

- Type 1 Project: Luminaires provided for street lighting. These luminaires are typically situated along a roadway and are located within a public right-of-way.

- Type 2 Project: Luminaires provided for site lighting. These luminaires are typically situated in parking lots or around buildings and are located outside the public right-of-way.

- Type 3 Project: A combination of Types 1 and 2.

When calculating design wind loads for these three types of in-ground luminaire projects under the provisions of 2010 FBC – B Section 1609, MEC references Section 1609.1.1 Exception 7 which allows wind loads to be calculated in accordance with AASHTO LTS -4 Standard Specification for Structural Supports for Highway signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals.

2010 Florida Building Code, Building

Chapter 1 Scope and Administration

102.4 Referenced codes and standards.

The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between provisions of this code and referenced codes and standards, the provisions of this code shall apply.

Chapter 2 Definitions

201.4 Terms not defined.

Words not defined herein shall have the meanings stated in the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas, or the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Words not defined in the Florida Building Codes, shall have the meanings in Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged.

Highway a: – a road or way on land or water that is open to the public use as a matter or right whether or not a thoroughfare: a public road or way (as a footpath, road, or waterway) including the right-of-way …compare Private way. B: Such a road or way established or maintained (as by a state) in accordance with law….

Chapter 16 Structural Design

1609.1.1 Determination of wind loads.

Wind loads on every building or structure shall be determined in accordance with Chapters 26 through 30 of ASCE 7 or the provisions of the alternate all heights method in Section 1609.6. Wind shall be assumed to come from any horizontal direction and wind pressures shall be assumed to act normal to the surface considered.

Exceptions:

1. Subject to the limitations of Section 1609.1.1.1, the provisions of ICC 600 shall be permitted for applicable Group R-2 and R-3 buildings.

2. Subject to the limitations of Section 1609.1.1.1, 1609.1.4, and 1609.3, provisions of ANSI/AF&PA WFCM, Wood Frame Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwellings shall be permitted for applicable wood frame buildings of Group R-3 occupancy where V_asd, determined in accordance with Section 1609.3.1 is150 mph or less.

3. Subject to the limitations of Section 1609.1.1.1, residential structures using the provisions of AISI S230.

4. Designs using NAAMM FP 1001. Specification for Design Loads of Metal Flagpoles.

5. Designs using TIA-222 for antenna-supporting structures and antennas shall be permitted for communication tower and steel antenna support structures.

6. Wind tunnel tests in accordance with Chapter 31 of ASCE 7.

7. Designs using AASHTO LTS-4 Structural Specifications for Highway Signs, Luminaries, and Traffic Signals.

8. Wind loads for screened enclosures shall be determined in accordance with Section 2002.4.

The wind speeds in Figure 1609A, 1609B and 1609C shall be converted to nominal wind speeds, V_asd in accordance with Section 1609.3.1 when the provisions of the standards referenced in Exceptions 1 through 5 and 7 are used unless the wind provisions in the standards are based on Ultimate Wind Speeds as specified in Figures 1609A, 1609B or 1609C or Chapter 26 of ASCE 7.

Chapter 35 Referenced Standards

AASHTO

Standard Referenced

reference in code

number Title section number

LTS 4 Structural Specifications for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1609.1.1

AASHTO

1.2 Definitions

Luminaire – a complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the parts designed to distribute the lights to position and protect the lamps and to connect the lamps to the electric power supply.

Section 1.1 Scope

The provisions of these standard specifications for Structural Support for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals, hereinafter referred to as the Specifications, are applicable to the structural design of supports for highway signs, luminaires, and traffic signals…..

Staff analysis:

Question 1. Does the 2010 FBC-B specify that the calculation of wind loads under Section 1609.1.1 Exception 7 applies solely to luminaires located within a public right-of-way?

Answer: Yes, according to the technical scope of the AASHTO LTS-4 standard as referenced in the Florida Building Code, Building, the wind loads calculation of the said standard are limited in scope to luminaires that are located within highways that are open to the public.

Question 2. Is it the intent of the 2010 FBC-B to limit the calculation of wind loads under Section 1609.1.1 Exception 7 solely to luminaires located within a public right-of-way?

Answer: Yes, calculation of wind loads under Section 1609.1.1 Exception 7 is limited in scope to luminaires that are located within highways that are open to the public.

Answer: No answer is needed since the answers to questions 1 and 2 are in the affirmative.

(Note: Wind loads calculation for luminaires that fall outside the technical scope of AASHTO LTS-4 (i.e. outside the public right-of-way/highway) are subject to the design criteria of ASCE 7 as applicable.