Issue: DCA10-DEC248. Kraig Mackett, LivingSpace Sunrooms, LLC. Petitioner is requesting clarification on whether or not the structure, a vinyl covered aluminum sunroom structure frame system that is made of 6005 T-5 and designed in accordance with Chapter 20, Aluminum, of the Florida Building Code.

Petitioner asks the question: “Does our product fall under the scope of rule 9N-3?”

Background:

1. The Petitioner’s product is a custom one-of-a-kind vinyl coated aluminum structural frame, which is fabricated to specific measurements and shipped to the site for installation. The only portion of the sunroom in question that does not have an individual product approval is the structural frame, which is engineered for a specific project as per the Aluminum Design Manual.

2. The Florida Building Code 2007 – Section 2002.2, Structural aluminum construction, of Chapter 20, states in part; “The design, fabrication and assembly of structural aluminum for buildings or structures shall conform to AA ASM 35 and specifications for Aluminum Structures, Aluminum Design Manual, Part 1-A and 1-B, of the Aluminum Association….”

3. Rule 9N-3.003 states:

“Products listed in Rule 9N-3.001, F.A.C., shall be approved according to the provisions of this rule.

(1) Prescriptive. Products that have prescriptive specification standards and are manufactured under quality assurance procedures as specified in the Code will be deemed approved. Such products shall include but not be limited to the following:

(a) Structural components covered by United States Department of Commerce Product Standards;

(b) Structural components comprised of products that are assembled or placed in the field and are subject to standardized field testing procedures contained within nationally recognized standards adopted within the Code may demonstrate compliance by a batch ticket or bill of lading made available at the site of assembly or placement; and

(c) Custom (one of a kind) pre-engineered buildings.

(2) Performance. Products, methods and systems of construction specifically addressed in the Code through performance criteria shall demonstrate compliance pursuant to Rule 9N-3.005, F.A.C., and shall be approved pursuant to Rule 9N-3.007, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 553.842(1) FS. Law Implemented 553.842(5), (7) FS. History–New 5-5-02, Amended 9-4-03, 3-9-04, 11-22-06, Formerly 9B-72.030.

Florida Statutes:

553.842(10), Products, other than manufactured buildings, which are custom fabricated or assembled shall not require separate approval under this section provided the component parts have been approved for the fabricated or assembled product’s use and the components meet the standards and requirements of the Florida Building Code which applies to the product’s intended use.

Staff Recommendations:

Question: “Does our product fall under the scope of rule 9N-3?”

Answer: To the extent that the Petitioner’s pre-engineered system “sunrooms” is constructed specific to plan or design “custom/one of a kind” and designed in accordance with specification standards referenced in the FBC, the system itself falls outside the scope of the state approval established by Rule 9N-3. However, local approval of the Petitioner’s system may be achieved through building plans review and inspection providing the system is manufactured under quality assurance as specified in the Code.