ISSUE: DCA09-DEC-263.  The petitioner, Steven Clisset of Windstrips LLC, Inc. seeks a Declaratory Statement on Rule 9B-72 as it pertains to his roofing product.  Specifically, the Petitioner request a declaratory statement that Windstrips meets the definitions and fits within the guidelines of the State of Florida Product Approval System so that he may apply for approval according to rule 9B-72.090 as a unique and innovative form of new technology, that is part of the roof system, providing structural reinforcement as a main wind force resisting accessory.  Application would be made under the Category of “Roofing” and Subcategory of “Products introduced as a result of new technology” unless directed otherwise.

BACKGROUND:

Product description:  The Windsrips product is a 1-1/8” wide by 0.009” thick plastic strip.  The strip is yellow in color and imprinted with black ink.  Windstrips are installed along each edge of the felt and above the seams in the field with staples spaced every 9”. 

2007 Florida Building Code, Building:

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.

1507.2.8 Underlayment application. For roof slopes from two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (17-percent slope) and up to four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope), underlayment shall be two layers applied in the following manner. Apply a minimum 19-inch-wide (483 mm) strip of underlayment felt parallel with and starting at the eaves, fastened sufficiently to hold in place. Starting at the eave, apply 36-inch-wide (914 mm) sheets of underlayment overlapping successive sheets 19 inches (483 mm), by fastened sufficiently to hold in place. Distortions in the underlayment shall not interfere with the ability of the shingles to seal. For roof slopes of four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope) or greater, underlayment shall be one layer applied in the following manner. Underlayment shall be applied shingle fashion, parallel to and starting from the eave and lapped 2 inches (51 mm), fastened sufficiently to hold in place. Distortions in the underlayment shall not interfere with the ability of the shingles to seal.

1507.2.8.1 High wind attachment. Underlayment applied in areas subject to high winds (greater than 110 mph in accordance with Figure 1609) shall be applied with corrosion-resistant fasteners in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Fasteners are to be applied along the overlap at a maximum spacing of 36 inches (914 mm) on center.

1517.5 Fasteners.

 1517.5.1 Nails shall be minimum 12 gage, annular ring shank nails having not less than 20 rings per inch, heads not less than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) in diameter; and lengths sufficient to penetrate through the thickness of plywood panel or wood plank decking not less than 3/16 inch (4.8 mm), or to penetrate into a 1 inch (25 mm) or greater thickness of lumber not less than 1 inch. Nails or wood screws shall be hot dipped electro or mechanically galvanized to a thickness sufficient to resist corrosion in compliance with TAS 114, Appendix E, Section 2 (ASTM G 85). All nails shall be listed by a certification agency. All nail cartons or carton labels shall be labeled to note compliance with the corrosion resistance requirements. No roofing material shall be fully or partially adhered directly to a nailable deck, unless otherwise noted in the roof assembly Product Approval.

 1517.5.2 "Tin caps" shall be not less than 15/8 inches (41 mm) and not more than 2 inches (51 mm) in diameter and of not less than 32 gage (0.010 inch) sheet metal. "Cap nails" or prefabricated fasteners with integral heads complying with this section shall be an acceptable substitute. All "tin caps," "cap nails" or prefabricated fasteners with integral heads shall be tested for corrosion resistance in compliance with TAS 114 Appendix E, Section 2 (ASTM G 85), and shall be product control listed. All of cartons or carton labels "tin caps," "cap nails" or prefabricated fasteners with integral heads shall be labeled to note compliance with the corrosion resistance requirements.

1518.2 Underlayments. Underlayment shall be as defined in Section 1513. Underlayment shall be installed in compliance with the roofing component Product Approval and shall be in compliance with the following minimum requirements:

 1518.2.1 Underlayment shall be attached to a nailable deck in a grid pattern of 12 inches (305 mm) between the overlaps, with 6-inch (152 mm) spacing at the overlaps.

 1518.2.2 Where the architectural appearance of the underside is to be preserved, the underlayment shall be secured in accordance with Section 1519.5.2.

 1518.2.3 Tin caps and nails or cap nails shall be applied as defined in Section 1517.5.2.

 1518.2.4 Underlayment nails shall be as defined in Section 1517.5.1.

2007 Florida Building Code, Residential:

R904.4 Fasteners.

 R904.4.1 Nails. Nails shall be corrosion-resistant nails conforming to ASTM F 1667. The corrosion resistance shall meet ASTM A 641, Class I or an equal corrosion resistance by coating, electrogalvanization, mechanical galvanization, hot dipped galvanization, stainless steel, nonferrous metal and alloys or other suitable corrosion-resistant material.

 R904.4.2 Screws. Wood screws shall conform to ANSI/ASME B 18.6.1. Screws shall be corrosion resistant by coating, galvanization, stainless steel, nonferrous metal or other suitable corrosion-resistant material. The corrosion resistance shall be demonstrated through one of the following methods:

 1.           Corrosion resistance equivalent to ASTM A 641, Class 1; or

 2.           Corrosion resistance in accordance with TAS 114, Appendix E; or

 3.           Corrosion-resistant coating exhibiting not more than 5 percent red rust after 1,000 hours exposure in accordance with ASTM B 117.

 R904.4.3. Clips. Clips shall be corrosion-resistant clips. The corrosion-resistance shall meet 0.90 oz per sq ft (0.458 kg/m2) measured according to ASTM A 90/A 90M, TAS 114 Appendix E or an equal corrosion resistance by coating, electro galvanization, mechanical galvanization, hot dipped galvanization, stainless steel, nonferrous metals and alloys or other suitable corrosion resistant material. Stainless steel clips shall conform to ASTM A 167, Type 304.

R905.2.7 Underlayment application. For roof slopes from two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (17-percent slope), up to four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope), two layers of underlayment complying with ASTM D 226 Type I or Type II, ASTM D 4869 Type I or Type II, or ASTM D 6757 shall be applied in the following manner:

 1.           Apply a minimum 19-inch-wide (483 mm) strip of underlayment felt parallel with and starting at the eaves.

 2.           Starting at the eave, apply 36-inch-wide (914 mm) sheets of underlayment overlapping successive sheets 19 inches (483 mm). Distortions in the underlayment shall not interfere with the ability of the shingles to seal.

 3.           End laps shall be offset by 6 feet (1829 mm)

 4.           Corrosion-resistant fasteners are to be applied along the overlap at a maximum spacing of 36 inches (914 mm) on center.

 For roof slopes of four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope) or greater, one layer of underlayment complying with ASTM D 226 Type I or Type II, ASTM D 4869 Type I or Type II, or ASTM D 6757 shall be applied in the following manner:

 1.           Underlayment shall be applied shingle fashion, parallel to and starting from the eave and lapped 2 inches (51 mm).

 2.           End laps shall be offset by 6 feet (1829 mm)

3.            Corrosion-resistant fasteners are to be applied along the overlap at a maximum spacing of 36 inches (914 mm) on center.

9B-72.005 Scope.

(1) Products in the following categories as defined by subcategories of subsection 9B-72.010(31), F.A.C., shall be available for approval by the Commission pursuant to Rule 9B-72.090, F.A.C., for use in the state:

(a) Panel Walls;

(b) Exterior Doors;

(c) Roofing Products;

(d) Skylights;

(e) Windows;

(f) Shutters; and

(g) Structural Components.

(2) This rule applies to approval of products and systems, which comprise the building envelope and structural frame, for compliance with the structural requirements of the Florida Building Code.

Specific Authority 553.842(1) FS. Law Implemented 553.842(5) FS. HistoryNew 11-22-06.

Analysis: 

(1)    The State Product Approval System is limited in scope to products that are subject to performance standards by the Florida Building Code.  Prescriptive requirements of the FBC falls out side the scope of Rule 9B-72.

(2)    Approval of alternatives to prescriptive requirements of the Florida Building Code is subject to local approval/building official approval (see Section 104.11)

 

Staff recommendation:

Question:  Does the Windstrips product fall under the scope of Rule 9B-72 under the category “roofing” and subcategory “products introduced as a result of new technology”?

Answer:  No.  The porduct in question falls out side the scope of Rule 9B-72.