December 6, 7 and 8, 2010
Crowne Plaza Oceanfront
2605 Highway A1A N
Melbourne, Florida, 32903
(321-777-4100)
LEGAL
REPORT
FIRST HEARING
DCA10-DEC-209 by
Michael Murray of StormWatch, Inc
Question #.
1. Is 1613.1.9 intended to mitigate fatigue failure,
“entering the plastic range”, of metal storm shutters and/or metal shutter
supporting structures and components By limiting the deflection to 2” based on
a length to deflection formula of L/30?
Answer: Section 1613.1.9, Item (9), applies to
all storm shutters regardless of the products’ materials or physical
properties.
Question #. 2. Has it been
determined that “Fabric Storm Panels” or fabric shutters have a “plastic range”
or that they suffer from fatigue failure induced by deflections greater than 2”
based on a length to deflection formula of L/30 or any other?
Answer: Not
possible. Determination of specific
product strength and material is subject to testing and evaluation as
determined through the product approval process.
Question #.
3. 1613.1.9
Specifically and only refers to a minimum separation from the glass. Has it
been determined that openings or areas that have no glass are subject to
1613.1.9?
Answer: Section 1613.1.9,
Item (9), is applicable to an opening regardless of whether it is a glazed
opening or not.
Question #.
4. The language of 1613.1.9 specifically requires a
storm shutter to be installed in such a manner that after maximum permissible
deflection the shutter would have a separation from the glass within the
precise range of 1-2” from the glass.
Question: Will storm shutters be required to be
installed to deflect into this narrow range of separation?
Answer: Storm shutters
must provide a minimum clear separation from the glass a minimum of 1 inch and
the deflection limit of the shutter fabric must not exceed 2 inches.
Question: Will storm shutters be permitted to be more
than 2” from the glass after maximum deflection?
Answer: “Yes” as long as
the deflection limit of the product does not exceed 2 inches.
Question #.
5. The relationship between L/30 and the
2” deflection limit is not directly indicated as a requirement by the language
of 1613.1.9, but inferred from the language. Statements have been made in POC
meetings that what is in the code is the rule and no interpretation as to
intent of the rule can be allowed. Is it not the case that the relationship
between the 2” deflection and L/30 is in itself an interpretation to clarify
the intent of the rule, and if the rule can be interpreted to clarify intent to
one end, it can be interpreted to clarify the intent to another end, such that
1613.1.9 is only intended to apply to metal shutters preventing excessive
deflection which would lead to fatigue failure and being that fabric storm
panels and some other shutter types that are designed to bend and do not suffer
from deflection induced fatigue failure would not be subject to 1613.1.9 and be
exempt from L/30?
Answer: See answer to Question #1.
Question #.
6. Florida Statute
553.842 provides that manufactures have the option of receiving a state or
local approval. If 1613.1.9 is intended to prevent deflection induced fatigue
failure of metal components and the code section continues to be applied to
products that are not subject to this type of failure how are manufacturers
guaranteed a means other than a local approval to demonstrate compliance within
the HVHZ?
Answer: See
answer to Question #1.
DCA10-DEC-216 by Geoff
Mcleod of MESA Modular Systems, Inc.
Question 1: “Can the Commission
approve our pad according to Mechanical Code Section 304.9 “other approved
material?”
Answer 1: NO, the term “approved” means “Acceptable
to the code official or authority having jurisdiction”; the code official
charged with the administration and enforcement of this code is the local
building official or his/her authorized representative.
Question 2: “Does
our anchoring system fall within Rule 9N-3 “State Product Approval System?”
Answer 2: NO, the product in question is not part of the building
envelope and thus does not fall within the scope of Rule 9N-3.
DCA10-DEC-217 by Dwight
Wilkes - Consultant for AAMA
Question: Does
the Florida Building Code allow the Manufacturer through engineering practice
to submit additional information that will allow the substitution of anchors and installation into different substrates for a
product submitted using the Certification Method and using AAMA 506-06.
Answer: Yes,
Section 1714.5.4.1 of the Florida Building Code, Building, allows substitute
anchoring systems for different substrates using rational engineering analysis
"accepted engineering practice". As long as the spacing has not
been changed or altered from the original test.
DCA10-DEC-219 by David
Karins, P.E. of Karins Engineering Group, Inc.
Question #. 1: Does the deflection and L/30 apply to positive
pressures only or does L/30 apply to negative pressure as well?
Answer#. 1: The deflection
and L/30 apply to both positive and negative pressure.
Question #2: Does the deflection criteria and L/30
apply to flexible materials such as shutters fabricated from screen materials
unlike a rigid material such as plastic or aluminum?
Answer: Yes, Section
1613.1.9, Item (9), applies to all storm shutters regardless of the products’
materials or physical properties.
Question #. 3: How is the L/30 deflection limit applied? Does it
apply to overall system or to individual components?
Answer: As per Section 1613.1, the L/30
deflection limit applies to both “system” and component.
Question #4: Does the L/30 apply
to two-way systems or one-way systems?
Answer: The L/30 applies to both systems
“one-way and two-way systems”.
Question #5: If the clear separation of the glass is
limited to maximum of 2 inch (negative pressure) and a minimum of 1 inch
(positive pressure), does this mean the system can only deflect a maximum of ½
inch in each direction with the system being placed at 1-1/2 inch away from the
glass?
Answer:
No, the clear separation must be
a minimum of 1 inch and the deflection limit of the shutter “fabric” must not
exceed 2 inches...
DCA10-DEC-220, DCA10-DEC-221, DCA10-DEC-222, DCA10-DEC-224, DCA10-DEC-225 by John
H. Kampmann Jr., PE of MEA Engineers Inc.
Question
#. 1: Does L/30 apply to fabric shutters? Fabrics do not
have a loss of performance with deflections. It is my understanding that L/30
only applies to rigid materials.
Answer: Yes, Section 1613.1.9, Item (9),
applies to all storm shutters regardless of the products’ materials or physical
properties.
Question
#. 2: Under what circumstances would this product be able
to get a FL Approval for HVHZ? Would this project be able to get an HVHZ
approval for installations that limited its use for NON-GLAZING installations,
such as on the exterior of non-glazed lanais, vents, doors - including garage
doors, and any other non-glazing installations?
Answer: Section
1613.1.9, Item (9), is applicable to an opening regardless of whether it is a
glazed opening or not.
Question
#. 3. Would this product be able to be considered as part
of a panel wall system, providing impact protection while maintaining a
separation between this product and the panel wall system?
Answer: Not possible. The question is outside
the scope of the product in question.
Question
#. 4: Could this product be considered as a structural
component for use in the HVHZ?
Answer: Not possible. The
question is outside the scope of the product in question.
Question
#. 5: Can this product be installed in the HVHZ and protect
glazing as long as the deflection of the fabric exceeds a separation to glazing
of 1 inch?
Answer: See answer to Question #1.
Question
#. 6: Please clarify the language in 1613.1.9:
"...shall provide a minimum clear separation from the glass of 1 inch
(25mm) but not to exceed 2 inches (51mm) when the shutter or awning is at its
maximum point of permissible deflection... " Specifically, what is the
required separation to glass, including any limitations such as maximum
deflection. The language in 1613.1.9 says that the separation to glass must be
between 1 and 2 inches when at its maximum permissible deflection. The 2 inches
is mentioned relative to clear separation, not relative to deflection as
written. Some have said that there is a maximum 2 inch deflection limit, but I
have not found that language in the code. If that is an interpretation of
1613.1.9, please explain it, the words do not support that definition to me.
Answer:
Not
possible. No specific question provided.
Question
#. 7: In 1613.1.9, is the maximum deflection L/30?
Answer: Yes,
if the opening is not a glazed opening.
Question
#. 8: Is it also another fixed amount regardless of the
span, such as 2 inches? If so, where in the code is this written?
Answer:
According to 1613.1.9, Maximum
deflection is L/30 but not to exceed 2 inches if the opening is a glazed
opening.