THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AS FOLLWS:

61G20-1.002 Alternative Design Method for Screen Enclosures.

(1) The purpose of this Rule is to provide an alternate method for designing aluminum screen enclosures as defined by the Florida Building Code permitting the loads of the structural frame to be based on portions of the screen in the screen walls removed, retracted, moved to the open position or cut. The use of framing materials other than aluminum is allowed in accordance with section 104.11 of the Florida Building Code, Building. The method applies only to walls and roofs with 100% screen. The provisions of Chapter 1 of the FBC, Building shall govern the administration and enforcement of this Rule.

1. Screen enclosure frames designed in accordance with the screen removal alternates of this rule, shall be designed using signed and sealed site-specific engineering and shall be designed in accordance with the wind load provisions of the Florida Building Code, Section 1609.1.1.

2. Designs that consider these screen alternates shall comply with Florida Building Code, Building, Section 2002.4 and Table 2002.4 using the 110 mph column and as modified by Table 2002.4Awith all screen panels in place.

3. Designs using strength design or load and resistance factor design in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Building Section 1605.2, or allowable stress design methods of the Florida Building Code, Building, Section 1605.5.3.1 shall be permitted.

4. The design shall be by rational analysis or by 3D Finite Element Analysis. Either method will be acceptable.

(2) Where screen enclosures are designed in accordance with the screen removal alternates of this rule, removable screen may consist of removable panels, retractable panels, or by designating specific screen panels in the design in which the screen is to be removed by cutting the screen. Removable panels shall be removed, retractable panels shall be placed in the retracted position without increasing the load on the affected area. Screen designated in the design to be cut shall be completely cut when wind speeds are forecast to exceed 75 mph.

(3) Where screen enclosures designed in accordance with the screen removal alternates of this rule serve as the barrier required by the Florida Building Code at Sections 424.2.17 and R4101.17.1, the required minimum height of the barrier shall be maintained when screen panels are retracted, removed, moved to the open position, or cut.

(4) Where screen enclosures are designed in accordance with the screen removal alternates of this rule, retractable screen panels, removable screen panels, and screen panels identified to be cut shall be clearly identified on adjacent structural members with highly visible permanent labels, at each panel, or by other means approved by the local building department.

(5) Where screen enclosures are designed in accordance with the screen removal alternates of this rule, the retraction of screen panels, removal of screen panels, or cutting of screen panels shall not require the use of ladders or scaffolding.

(6) Engineering documents submitted with building permit applications shall identify the panels to be removed, retracted, opened, or cut.