Staff Analysis for Declaratory Statement Request DS2015-150

Issue: Petitioner seeks a Declaratory Statement on interpretation of Section 301.15 of the Florida Building Code, Mechanical. Specifically, requesting clarification on whether equipment other than air conditioning equipment would have to follow the wind resistance requirements of Section 301.15, Florida Building Code 5th Edition (2014), Mechanical.

 

Background:

 

The Petitioner, Rolando Soto, Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals, Chief Code Compliance Officer, request clarification concerning the following Code Sections. Florida Building Code 5th Edition (2014) Mechanical, Chapter 2, Definitions – Equipment. Florida Building Code 5th Edition (2014) Mechanical. Chapter 3, Section 301.15 Wind Resistance. Florida Building Code 5th Edition (2014), Residential, Chapter 13, M1301.1. Specifically the Petitioner is seeking a uniform application of the Wind Resistance requirements of Section 301.15 to equipment other than air conditioning equipment.

 

The circumstances of the Petition are as follows.

 

For question #1:

A residential development is being built in one of our municipalities. It will include single family homes and townhomes (classified R-3}. Some of the residences may include emergency electrical generators. These generators will be installed outdoors, and are exposed to the wind. The mentioned equipment has lightweight service panels or cabinets made of screwed or bolted together panels or parts that could potentially, loosen up and become projectiles during a storm.

 

The 2010 FBC Residential had section M1307.2.1 Wind resistance. Mechanical equipment, appliances and supports that are exposed to wind shall be designed and installed to resist the wind pressures on the equipment  and the supports as determined in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Building.

 

 

 

For question # 2:

A gas station and convenience store is being built in one of our municipalities.  The store will have coolers and freezers for storage and display of consumer products, the condensers will be located in the exterior of the building. Several gasoline and diesel dispensers will be installed outside for public use. The store will also be provided with an emergency electrical generator with an above ground fuel tank.

 

The equipment mentioned in question # 2 (with the exception of the above ground fuel tank, please see question #3) is often exposed to the wind. Frequently but not uniformly, some type of attachment detail and/or calculations are required by the A.H.J. All of the mentioned equipment has

lightweight service panels or cabinets made of screwed or bolted together panels or parts that could potentially, loosen up and become projectiles during a storm.

 

For question # 3:

A high-rise mixed use building has applied for permits in one of our municipalities. The HVAC system includes, hydronic water pumps, valves and piping. The equipment mentioned in question # 3 is exposed to the wind. The mechanical equipment mentioned in question # 3 is usually compact and without lightweight panels.

 

The Petitioner feels that without clarity on this issue; there may be inconsistent, or contradictory enforcement of the Florid Building Code throughout Broward County, or the rest of the state. Which can also be dangerous to the residents and unfair to contractors.

 

----

 

Reference Material.

 

 

Florida Building Code 5th Edition (2014) Mechanical

 

Chapter 2 Definitions

 

EQUIPMENT. All piping, ducts, vents, control devices and other components of systems other than appliances which are permanently installed and integrated to provide control of environmental conditions for buildings. This definition shall also include other systems specifically regulated in this code.

-

 

Chapter 3, Section 301.15

 

301.15 Wind resistance. Mechanical equipment, appliances and supports that are exposed to wind shall be designed and installed to resist the wind pressures determined in accordance

with the Florida Building Code, Building.

 

---

 

Florida Building Code 5th Edition (2014) Residential

 

Chapter 2 – Definitions

 

APPLIANCE. A device or apparatus that is manufactured and designed to utilize energy and for which this code provides specific requirements.

 

EQUIPMENT. All piping, ducts, vents, control devices and other components of systems other than appliances that are permanently installed and integrated to provide control of environmental conditions for buildings. This definition shall also include other systems specifically regulated in this code.

 

SUPPORTS. Devices for supporting, hanging and securing pipes, fixtures and equipment

-

 

Chapter 13 – General Mechanical System Requirements

 

M1301.1 Scope.
The provisions of this chapter shall govern the installation of mechanical systems not specifically covered in other chapters applicable to mechanical systems. Installations of mechanical appliances, equipment and systems not addressed by this code shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Florida Building Code, Mechanical and the Florida Building Code, Fuel Gas.

 

M1307.1 General.
Installation of appliances shall conform to the conditions of their listing and label and the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The manufacturer’s operating and installation instructions shall remain attached to the appliance.

-

 

Chapter 14 – Heating and Cooling Equipment and Appliances.

 

M1401.1 Installation.
Heating and cooling equipment and appliances shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the requirements of this code.

 

M1401.4 Exterior installations.
Equipment and appliances installed outdoors shall be listed and labeled for outdoor installation. Supports and foundations shall prevent excessive vibration, settlement or movement of the equipment. Supports and foundations shall be in accordance with Section M1305.1.4.1.

-

 

Chapter 23 – Solar Energy Systems

 

M2301.2.2 Roof-mounted collectors.
The roof shall be constructed to support the loads imposed by roof-mounted solar collectors. Roof-mounted solar collectors that serve as a roof covering shall conform to the requirements for roof coverings in Chapter 9 [the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) shall comply with Chapter 44] of this code. Where mounted on or above the roof coverings, the collectors and supporting structure shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or fire-retardant-treated wood equivalent to that required for the roof construction.

-

 

Chapter 24 – Fuel Gas

 

G2403 (202) General Definitions

APPLIANCE. Any apparatus or device that utilizes a fuel or raw material to produce light, heat, power, refrigeration or air conditioning.

 

G2404.6 (301.10) Wind resistance.
Appliances and supports that are exposed to wind shall be designed and installed to resist the wind pressures determined in accordance with this code.

 

---

 

Florida Building Code 5th Edition (2014) Building

 

Chapter 2

Section 202 - Definitions

[A] STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed.

-

 

Chapter 16 - Chapter 16 – Structural Design

 

1609.1 Applications.
Buildings, structures and parts thereof shall be designed to withstand the minimum wind loads prescribed herein. Decreases in wind loads shall not be made for the effect of shielding by other structures. All exterior wall coverings and soffits shall be capable of resisting the design pressures specified for walls for components and cladding loads in accordance with Section 1609.1.1. Manufactured soffits shall be labeled in accordance with Section 1710.9 of this code.

1609.1.1 Determination of wind loads.
Wind loads on every building or structure shall be determined in accordance with Chapters 26 to 30 of ASCE 7 or 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.

 

1620 - HIGH-VELOCITY HURRICANE ZONES—WIND LOADS

 

1620.1 Buildings and structures, and every portion thereof, shall be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of Chapters 26 through 31 of ASCE 7.

 

1620.6 Rooftop structures and equipments.
The lateral force on rooftop structures and equipment with Af less than (0.1Bh) located on buildings of all heights shall be determined from Equation 29.5-1 of ASCE 7 in which the value of GCf shall be taken as 3.1. GCf shall be permitted to be reduced linearly from 3.1 to 1.1 as the value of Af is increased from (0.1Bh) to (Bh). The value of G from Section 26.9 of ASCE 7 shall not be used. Additionally, a simultaneous uplift force shall be applied, given by Equation 29.5-1 of ASCE 7 in which GCf = 1.5 and Af is replaced by the horizontal projected area, Ar, of the rooftop structure or equipment. For the uplift force GCf shall be permitted to be reduced linearly from 1.5 to 1.0 as the value of Ar is increased from (0.1BL) to (BL).

 

---

 

ASCE 7-2010

Chapter 29

Section 29.5 Design Wind Loads – Other Structures

 

 

 

ASCE 7-2010

Chapter 29

Figure 29.5-1

 

 

---

 

2012 IRC Code and Commentary Volume 2

Chapter 13: General Mechanical System Requirements

Section M1301.1 Scope.

 

M1301.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the installation of mechanical systems not specifically covered in other chapters applicable to mechanical systems. Installation of mechanical appliances, equipment and systems not addressed by this code shall comply with the applicable provisions of the International Mechanical Code and the International Fuel Gas Code.

 

v  Commentary: This section provides general requirements for mechanical systems not specifically covered in other chapters of the code. In addition, it refers to the IMC and the IFGC for regulations governing equipment not addressed by the code.

 

---

 

Florida Statures 553.844

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, exposed mechanical equipment or appliances fastened to a roof or installed on the ground in compliance with the code using rated stands, platforms, curbs, slabs, or other means are deemed to comply with the wind resistance requirements of the 2007 Florida Building Code, as amended. Further support or enclosure of such mechanical equipment or appliances is not required by a state or local official having authority to enforce the Florida Building Code. This subsection expires on the effective date of the 2013 Florida Building Code.

 

 

 

 

Staff Analysis

 

Question #1:  Does section 301.15 apply to equipment other than air conditioning equipment in residential applications?

 

Answer:         No, the subject of “emergency electrical generator” fall outside the technical scope of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Mechanical and the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Residential and therefore, section 301.15 does not apply to the equipment in question.

 

 

Question #2:  Does the section 301.15 apply to refrigeration units, fuel dispensers, or generators.

 

Answer:         With regard to the fuel dispensers and generators in question, the answer is “No”. This is because the subject of fuel dispensers and generators fall outside the technical scope of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Mechanical.  However, with regard to the refrigeration units in question, the answer is “Yes”.  The subject of refrigeration units fall within the technical scope of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Mechanical.

 

Question #3:  Does the section 301.15 apply to process water pumps and valves, above ground fuel tanks?

 

Answer:         Yes, the subject of hydronic piping and fuel storage fall within the technical scope of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Mechanical and therefore, section 301.15 would apply to the water pumps and the fuel tanks in question.