Issue: Review and evaluate the technical aspect of the evaluation report submitted as the technical documentation for FL #8809

Note: FL #. 8809 - The POC requested that staff refers the evaluation report for this product to the Structural TAC for review and evaluation.

Background:

- Product FL8809 was submitted to the Commission for approval at the December Commission meeting.

- Product description: Plylox clips are designed to provide an alternative method to secure wood structural panels, Section 1609.1.2, Exceptions, to recessed window and door openings for protection against wind born debris.

- Status of the product – Withdrawn by the manufacturer. The Commission has no authority to approve alternate materials to those required by the Code.

- The Evaluation Engineer for this product is Ms. Kristina S. Daugherty, P.E.

- At the POC meeting, Mr. Ted Berman, Program Administrator, stated that the evaluation report, as written by Ms. Dougherty, substantiate that the product “ Hurricane Clip” was tested to and in compliance with ASTM E1996, although the test report lacks such substantiation.

- 2007 Florida Building Code, Building

1609.1.2 Protection of openings. Glazed openings in buildings located in wind-borne debris regions shall be protected from wind-borne debris. Glazed opening protection for wind-borne debris shall meet the requirements of SSTD 12, ASTM E 1886 and ASTM E 1996, ANSI/DASMA 115 (for garage doors and rolling doors) or TAS 201, 202 and 203 or AAMA 506 referenced therein.

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

2. Glazed openings located more than 30 feet (9144 mm) above grade shall meet the provisions of the Small Missile Test.

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. 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 a maximum span of 8 feet (2438 mm) shall be permitted for opening protection in one- and two-story buildings. Panels shall be precut so that they shall be attached to the framing surrounding the opening containing the product with the glazed openings. Panels shall be predrilled as required for the anchorage method and all required hardware shall be provided. Attachment shall be designed to resist the components and cladding loads determined in accordance with the provisions of ASCE 7, with permanent corrosion-resistant attachment hardware provided and anchors permanently installed on the building. Attachment in accordance with Table 1609.1.2, with permanent 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 wind speeds do not exceed 140 mph (63 m/s)

2. Glazing in Occupancy 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 permitted to be unprotected.

3. Glazing in Occupancy Category II, III or IV buildings located over 60 feet (18 288 mm) a1,500 feet (458 m) of the building shall be permitted to be unprotected.

TABLE 1609.1.2 WIND-BORNE DEBRIS PROTECTION FASTENING SCHEDULE FOR WOOD STRUCTURAL PANELS

FASTENER TYPE	FASTENER SPACING (inches)^1,2
	Panel Span ≤ 2 ft	2 foot < panel Span ≤ 4 feet	4 feet < Panel Span ≤ 6 feet	6 feet < Panel Span ≤ 8 feet
#8 Wood screw-based anchor with 2-inch embedment length^3	16	16	10	8
#10 Wood screw-based anchor with 2-inch embedment length^3	16	16	12	9
^1/4 Lag screw-based anchor with 2-inch embedment length^3	16	16	16	16

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 305 mm.
1. This table is based on a maximum wind speed of 140 mph (63 m/s) and mean roof height of 45 feet (13 716 mm) or less.
2. Fasteners shall be installed at opposing ends of the wood structural panel.
3. Where screws are attached to masonry or masonry/stucco, they shall be attached using vibration-resistant anchors having a minimum withdrawal capacity of 1500 lb (6673 kN).

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. When alternate life safety systems are designed, the SFPE Engineering Guide to Performance-Based Fire Protection Analysis and Design of Buildings, or other methods approved by the building official may be used. The building official shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claim made regarding the alternative.

Staff review and findings:

- According to the test reports (see attached), test methods were modified to focus the testing on evaluating the ability of Plylox clips to continue to restrain the panel under multiple significant missile impacts.

- Test reports do not affirm that the wood structural panel product as anchored with the Plylox clips complies with the structural and impact tests standards referenced in the test reports.

- The evaluation report and the product application list ASTM E 330-02, ASTM 1886-05 and ASTM E 1996-05 as the compliance testing standards used to test and evaluate the product for compliance with the 2007 FBC without qualifying or clarifying that the testing standards were modified to focus the testing on the clips and not the protection assembly as a system.

- This product application in question falls outside the scope of Rule 9N-3 State Product Approval Program.