FMA Works with Florida Building Commission

by Dick Wilhelm

The Florida Building Commission met in Tampa, Fla. to consider petitions for declaratory statements, revise the Commission work plan for 2006 and identify future research and development needs of the Commission among other goals. The Commission also looked at establishing ground rules for the May code/rule development workshop process, receiving an update on the Florida Building Commissions' 2006 legislative package, providing a preliminary report on the Florida Panhandle Wind Borne Debris study and reviewing the Hurricane Research Advisory Committee Work Plan, and the Commission took three days to get through it all.

Declatory Statement, DCA-05-DEC-219, L/175 by Dr. Farooq

Undertaking the issue of declaratory statement DCA 05-DEC-219 requested by Dr. Farooq, professional engineer (P.E.) of the Al-Farooq Corp., the Structural Technical Advisory Committee (Structural TAC) discussed and provided recommendations on the request.

Much of the discussion centered around ASTM E 1300-02. Among the discussions on the topic were the interpolation between three and four sided support charts (single hung windows) and two and four sided support charts (sliding glass doors) in ASTM E 1300-02. The question arose that ASTM E 1300-02 permits for one or two sided flexible support conditions based on engineering analysis and boundary conditions, but in the ensuring conversation it was pointed out that the same document "assumes firm support of the glass edges (L/175 maximum deflection), and there are no procedures given or implied for flexible support conditions."

(It was later stated that "the use of the ASTME 1300-02 charts for interpolation for windows or doors with flexible support(s) is outside the scope of ASTM E 1300-0" and decided that "if this interpolation is done, it is at the discretion of the engineer.")

Additionally, the Structural TAC also discussed whether testing to 1.5 times the design load provides enough safety factor for brittle materials (such as glass), citing the same ASTM standard's requirement for testing to 2.5 times the design load. It was decided that

"the factor of safety to be used in testing the product in question (sliding glass door with one or two sided flexible support) must be in accordance with the testing criteria of AAMA/WDMA 101/I.S.2/NAFS and TAS 202 for the HVHZ. The code does not specify a specific deflection limit for the product in question. Therefore, the deflection limit must be used."

Also at issue was whether "ASTME 1300-02 charts for four sided support cannot be used for glazing products with one or two sides supported by flexible members/meeting rails without further engineering analysis."

This belief, the Structural TAC answered, is incorrect, as "the AAMA/WDMA 101/I.S.2/NAFS standards allow the use of ASTM E 1300 for residential and commercial windows and doors without regard to the amount of deflection of the glass supports. The only products that are explicitly required by AAMA/WDMA 101/I.S.2/NAFS or TAS 202 to meet the L/175 maximum deflection criteria are HC (Heavy Commercial) and AR (Architectural) rated products as defined in the AAMA/WDMA 101/I.S.2/NAFS standards."

The Commission accepted these answers at the Plenary Session by unanimous vote and Jaime Gascon, P.E. with Miami-Dade Product Control asked the Commission not to include TAS 202 in the response to the question regarding to what design load tests should be run and further stated that Miami-Dade cannot support the response about four-sided support being used for glazing products.

Revised Commission Work Plan for 2006 of Interest to the Fenestration Industry

The commission also looked at the revised work plan for 2006 with regard to the fenestration industry. The tasks carried over from 2005 are:

· Research and Development Needs Identified by Hurricanes Dennis and Wilma

· 2004 FBC Glitch Amendments/2006 Annual Interim Amendments (May 2 and 3, 2006 in Orlando)

· Revise Rule 9B-3.004 to Allow Alternates for Committee Members (Workshop on May 6, 2006)

· 2007 Update to the Florida Building Code (Implemented April 2009)

· Panhandle Hurricane Ivan Study, see (SB1774/HB1187, 2006 Legislative Session).Effective date will be six months after bill becomes law.

· Exposure Category C Study see (SB1774/HB1187, 2006 Legislative Session)

And in 2006, the Commission decided to also take on some additional tasks, including:

· Develop and Implement an Accelerated Revocation Process for Noncompliant Product and Entity Approvals
(Recommendation to Commission on August 6, 2006)

· Develop Product Validation Criteria for Methods of Demonstrating Compliance with the Code (Recommendation to Commission on July 12, 2006)

· Develop Window Labeling and Default Installation Criteria (Recommendation to the Commission on August 23, 2006)

· Asses Transition to the IECC as the Base for the Florida Energy Code (Recommendation to the Commission on July 12, 2006)

Assessing and recommend changes to the Florida Building Code on these issues is the Fenestration Manufacturers
Association (FMA), which remains an integral part of the committees.

Future Research and Development Issues

After addressing the declaratory statement DCA 05-DEC-219, the Structural TAC discussed issues for future research to be addressed by the Hurricane Research Advisory Committee. Measures the Structural TAC hopes to see implemented are:

1. Glazing requirements above 60 feet;
2. Underlayments need better protection from exposure for extended period of time;
3. Soffit test methods and design installation for water intrusion;
4. Multiple planar intersections in roof structures, increase pressures?
5. Types of roof decking (e.g., OSB, fire treated plywood);
6. Review current use of plywood as large missile protection;
7. Length of fasteners for roofing shingles;
8. Post hurricane statistical sampling;
9. HVHZ underlying attachment to deck sheeting;
10. Thickness of underlying material;

The Department of Community Affairs will establish a budget request to be presented to the 2007 Florida Legislature.

The Structural TAC also held a discussion to identify and rank several of the issues not addressed by the expedited rule process. Of significance to our industry, the number one issue remains the wind-driven water intrusion through doors and windows.

The FMA Installation Committee is meeting in Jacksonville, FL on the 29th and 30th of March to finalize the FMA standard (FMA 100-06) addressing this issue.

The FMA took the lead in November 2005 by asking the Hurricane Advisory Research Committee to allow the industry to put forth a proposal to eliminate this problem in Florida construction. After many hours of labor by 30 members of the business, including many who are not members of the FMA, a prescriptive standard will be introduced at the FMA Spring Conference. This standard will move forward and be presented to the ASTM E 2112 Committee for review and action.
The ultimate goal is to define language for an amendment to the 2006 Florida Building Code based on FMA 100-06.

Ground Rules for the 2004 Florida Building Code Glitch Cycle

The Commission Chairman established the ground rules for introducing amendments into the 2004 Florida Building Code.
After reviewing these rules, the Commission was made aware that it should be prepared to defend its position on all amendments that members previously assumed would not meet the criteria of being "hurricane related" therefore not being eligible to go before the Florida Building Commission in May.

CLICK HERE for a copy of these ground rules.

Update on the 2006 Florida Building Commission Legislative Package

The 2006 Florida Building Commission Legislative package, which contains Florida Building Commission initiatives, is partially contained in Senate Bill 1774 by Senator Constantine and House companion bill HB 1187 by Representative Murrin.

The bill to watch is SB 1774. Essentially, it authorizes the Florida Building Commission to update and modify the standard for wind design; repeals the definition of "exposure category c;" revises requirements for selecting codes to form the updated FBC; authorizes approval and publication of certain amendments; authorizes certain authorities to enforce amendments to the FBC; and prohibits certain procedures from being invoked to interpret the Accessibility Code. If passed, it would take effect on July 1, 2006.

The Senate bill was filed on Feb. 2, 2006 by Senator Constantine and was referred to two Senate committees, the Community Affairs Committee and the Regulated Industries Committee. The bill was heard and amended in the Senate Community Affairs Committee on March 23 and now resides in the Senate Regulated Industries Committee.

The following amendments were made to the bill at a March 23 hearing and are considered part of the overall bill to date:

· Authorizing the Florida Building Commission to update or modify the wind-design standard applicable to construction in Florida. The Commission is specifically authorized to identify those areas in the Florida Panhandle which are subject to wind-borne debris.

· The wind-borne debris line shall be promulgated using the Chapter 120, FAC rule making process BUT shall not take effect for 6 months following the completion of rule-making or May 31, 2007, whichever occurs sooner.

Jack Glenn, Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) announced at the Commission meeting that the delay in implementation of the Panhandle wind-borne debris line is needed to allow "time to train contractors".

Panhandle Wind-borne Debris Study

The contractor, ARA and Dr. Kurt Gurley of the Univ. of Florida presented preliminary results of the mathematical modeling of the "treed" environment of the Florida Panhandle. Using data from Hurricane Ivan data in the initial damage survey, and the wind tunnel tests, wind tunnel tests and velocity profiles for homes are complete. Initial measurements demonstrate a pressure reduction on buildings in a treed environment of greater than 30 percent.

The contractor (ARA) final report presentation is scheduled for the May Commission meeting in Orlando.

Hurricane Advisory Committee Work Plan

Reviewing the Hurricane Advisory Research Committee Work Plan, the fenestration industry is advised to pay attention to the recommendation to "Develop window water leakage test and performance criteria specific to hurricane prone regions."

It must be assumed this research will target the current testing methods required under AAMA/WDMA 101/I.S.2 (i.e., the 15% of design pressure). The Committee Work Plan reads in part, "Conduct R&D in support of AAMA standard development. FY06-07 Windows Work Group."

The current strategy will be for the FMA to continue to monitor progress and particpate if possible. Dave Olmstead, PGT Industries represents the fenestration industry the committee is represented on this Committee.

What Has FMA Done for Me Lately?

In addition to participating in Work Groups, the FMA Installation Committee, chaired by Mark Daniels of Sika Corporation, is busy developing an installation standard for windows in wood and masonry construction specific for Florida conditions.
Specifics of this standard will be submitted as an amendment to the 2006 Florida Building Code. The standard will also be submitted to the ASTM E 2112 Committee for review as a consensus standard. Work is under way to develop the FMA standard as a core document which will assist members, installers and building officials better understand that the wall is a complex system and our window or door is but one component of that system. As Barry Hardman, Building Science Consultant stated, "It is time for the manufacturers to take back their windows from the rest of the trades when it comes to installation."

Placement of this standard into the Florida Building Code will provide a "legal defense" to our manufacturers and installers in Florida.

The FMA Thermal Committee, under the tutelage of Chairman Ivan Zuniga, AFG Glass and Jon Hill, Keystone Certifications, Inc. are busy developing a course on meeting the new energy code requirements. This course will be presented at the Spring FMA Conference and will also be submitted to the Florida Department of Professional Regulation and the Florida Building Commission for CEU credit.

The Special Projects Committee, Chaired by Bruce Jasewic, WinDoor Corp. and the Codes and Technical Committee, chaired by Mike LaFevre of Custom Windows, are engaged in discussions with Dr. Masters at the University of Florida in the "Wall of Wind" Project.

To contact FMA with questions or comments about the Association, call Dick Wilhelm at 850/294-7963