Proposed Modification to the Florida Building Code

Modification #:				Section 553.73, Fla Stat

Name:	Mike Moore					
Address:	3760 Tanglewood Ln, Davidsonville, MD 21035
E-mail:	mmoore@newportpartnersllc.com 					
Phone:	303.279.6769					
Fax:		303.279.6769
Code:		Residential				
Section #:	R101, 201

Text of Modification [additions underlined; deletions stricken]:

101  Retrofits Required.  Pursuant to Section 553.884, Florida Statutes, strengthening of existing site-built, single family residential structures to resist hurricanes shall be provided.

101.1	When a roof on an existing site-built, single family residential structure is replaced:
(a)	Roof-decking attachment and fasteners shall be strengthened and corrected as required by section 201.1.
(b)	A secondary water barrier shall be provided as required by section 201.2.

101.2	When a roof is replaced on a building that is located in the wind-borne debris region as defined in s. 1609.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building and that has an insured value of $300,000 or more or, if the building is uninsured or for which documentation of insured value is not presented, has a just valuation for the structure for purposes of ad valorem taxation of $300,000 or more: 
(a)	Roof to wall connections shall be improved as required by section 201.3.	
(b)	Mandated retrofits of the roof-to-wall connection shall not be required beyond a 15 percent increase in the cost of re-roofing.
(c)	Where complete retrofits of all the roof-to-wall connections as prescribed in Section 201.3 would exceed 15 percent of the cost of the re-roofing project, the priorities outlined in Section 201.3.5 shall be used to limit the scope of work to the 15 percent limit.

101.3	When any activity requiring a building permit that is applied for on or after July 1, 2008, and for which the estimated cost is $50,000 or more for a building that is located in the wind borne debris region as defined in s. 1609.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building and that has an insured value of $750,000 or more, or, if the building is uninsured or for which documentation of insured value is not presented, has a just valuation for the structure for purposes of ad valorem taxation of $750,000 or more.:
(a)	Opening protections as required within the Florida Building Code, Building or Florida Building Code, Residential for new construction shall be provided.

101.4	When retrofit enhancement of gable end bracing is provided during construction which otherwise requires a permit the techniques in Appendix A shall be allowed.

101.5 When a home inspector inspects an existing home as part of a real estate transaction and determines that the roof decking attachment does not meet the requirements of Section 201.1, adhesives shall be used to strengthen the decking attachment per Section 201.2, unless the roof is being replaced per Section 101.1.

201 Roof System Mitigation Techniques.  Roof sheathing fastening, secondary water barriers, roof to wall connection and gable end bracing shall be permitted pursuant to this section. 

201.1 Roof sheathing fastening for site-built single family residential structures during re-roofing.  For site-built single family residential structures the fasteners and spacing required in Table 201.1 are deemed to comply with the requirements of Section 511.5, Florida Building Code, Building.

Board roof decking secured with at least two 8d nails into roof framing members shall be deemed to be sufficiently connected.  Board roof decking secured with smaller fasteners than 8d nails or with fewer than two 8d nails per board shall be deemed sufficiently connected if two 8d clipped head, round head, or ring shank nails are in place on each framing member. 

Supplemental fasteners as required by Table 201.1 shall be 8d ring shank nails with round heads and the following minimum dimensions:

1. 0.113 inch nominal shank diameter
2. Ring diameter of 0.012 over shank diameter
3. 16 to 20 rings per inch
4. 0.280 inch full round head diameter
5. 2-1/4 inch nail length

Table 201.1
Supplement Fasteners at Panel Edges and Intermediate Framing
Existing fasteners	Existing spacing
	Wind speed 110 mph
or less
supplemental fastening shall be
no greater than	Wind speed greater
than 110 mph
supplemental
fastening shall be no greater than	
Staples or 6d 	Any	6” o.c. b	6” o.c. b	
8d clipped head, round head, or ring shank	6” o.c. or less	None necessary	None necessary	
8d clipped head or round head	Greater than 
6” o.c.	6” o.c.a 
	6” o.c.b	
8d round head
ring shank	Greater than
6” o.c.	6” o.c.a 	6” o.c.a 	

a.  Maximum spacing determined based on existing fasteners and supplemental fasteners.
b.  Maximum spacing determined based on supplemental fasteners only.

201.2  Roof sheathing fastening for site-built single family residential structures prior to re-roofing.  When a home inspection completed for a real estate transaction reveals that the roof decking attachment does not meet the fastener requirements of Table 201.1, and when this roof will not be re-roofed at the time of the transaction, an AFG-01 approved adhesive shall be applied in a 1/4" bead to the 90-degree joint between the underside of the roof decking and the supporting roof framing to strengthen this connection.

Renumber following and previous sections as appropriate.

Fiscal Impact Statement [Provide documentation of the costs and benefits of the proposed modifications to the code for each of the following entities.  Cost data should be accompanied by a list of assumptions and supporting documentation.  Explain expected benefits.]:

A.	Impact to local entity relative to enforcement of code:
No impact.

B.	Impact to building and property owners relative to cost of compliance with code:
For most AFG-01 compliant adhesives, the material costs for application to a 4x8 sheathing panel ranged between approximately $1.50-$2.50, according to Clemson study.  Source: Clemson University Department of Civil Engineering
Wind Load Test Facility. Sutt, Ed; Reinhold, Tim; Judge, Beth. (2000). Holding on to Your Roof. Retrieved Aug 03, 2007, from  http://www.scseagrant.org/pdf_files/hotyr.pdf. 

This normalized cost would result in an overall price of roughly $100 to secure roof decking more effectively in a typical home.  When considering this cost, one should also consider that once a single sheet of roof decking is lost in a hurricane, a building will likely become a major loss because of the resulting water intrusion into the home.

C.	Impact to industry relative to cost of compliance with code:
No impact.

Rationale [Provide an explanation of why you would like this Proposed Modification to the Florida Building Code.]:
Currently, the proposed wind mitigation measures only increase the wind resistance of roof decking during the event of a re-roof.  Resales of homes are more common events than re-roofs.  Resales mark an opportunity for home inspections and cost-effective upgrades.  The State of Florida’s “My Safe Florida Home” program has already compiled a method for inspectors to use to determine nail spacing and size in existing attics.  This method is currently required for all wind mitigation inspections conducted by state contractors within the program.  According to a contractor that administers these inspections, the time required to determine roof deck nailing schedules is about 5 minutes.  

This proposed change would require the application of a ¼ inch adhesive bead to the 90 degree joint at the intersection of the roof sheathing and framing if the inspection completed at the time of resale reveals that the roof sheathing scheduling does not meet the requirements of 201.1.  Clemson’s research has revealed that application of adhesives in this manner can be a very effective and cost efficient intermediate measure to increase the uplift resistance of roofs until re-roofing is necessary.  In fact, adhesives can strengthen the uplift resistance by up to five (5) times.  This enhancement can bring roofs which are very susceptible to deck loss from high wind events to uplift levels well above those achieved by compliance with code.

Methodology for inspections of nailing schedules in existing roofs as well as methodology for application of adhesives have been developed and documented by the State of Florida and Clemson University’s Wind Load Test Facility, respectively.  The application of adhesives has been shown to be affordable and effective.  By enabling this measure to be required at resale, the Florida Code will increase the strength of existing roofs at a faster rate than is provided in current language, while doing this with an affordable method.  In addition, homeowners may also enjoy premium reductions from their wind insurance provider as a result. 

References::
•	Florida Department of Financial Services.  Wind Certification Entity Surveyor Training Program Resource Manual.  p 69-75.  Developed by FLASH.  Retrieved Aug 03, 2007 from  http://www.mysafefloridahome.com/images/WCESurveyorTrainingProgramResourceManual.pdf.  
•	Florida Department of Financial Services.  My Safe Florida Home Survey Checklist, p.6.  Retrieved Aug 03, 2007 from http://www.mysafefloridahome.com/images/DFSChecklistV10.1.pdf.  
•	Clemson University Department of Civil Engineering Wind Load Test Facility. Sutt, Ed; Reinhold, Tim; Judge, Beth. (2000). Holding on to Your Roof. Retrieved Aug 03, 2007, from http://www.scseagrant.org/pdf_files/hotyr.pdf. 

Please explain how the proposed modification meets the following requirements:
1.	Has a reasonable and substantial connection with the health, safety, and welfare of the general public:
Strengthens the wind uplift resistance of roof decking attachment by up to five (5) times.  This helps to reduce the likelihood of detached roof deck panels becoming dangerous wind-borne debris, and also significantly reduces the chances that severe water intrusion will occur in a home due to the loss of roof decking.

2.	Strengthens or improves the code, and provides equivalent or better products, methods, or systems of construction:
See above.  Also, this change would increase the diffusion of wind mitigation techniques into existing housing stock.  

3.	Does not discriminate against materials, products, methods, or systems of construction of demonstrated capabilities:
Adhesives are the logical choice for strengthening roof deck to roof framing attachments before re-roofing is required.  Similarly, the current language specifies mechanical fasteners be used when re-roofing (excluding adhesives).  Tests conducted by the Wind Load Test Facility at Clemson found that AFG-01 adhesives performed better than adhesives that were not compliant with this standard.  A report released by Clemson noted over 100 AFG-01 compliant adhesives.  As always, other approved methods may be used based on the discretion of the code official.

4.	Does not degrade the effectiveness of the code:
This modification in no way degrades the application or effect of the code.  

					Form No. 2000-01	Effective date:  11/28/00

Section for DCA Only

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