Issue: Discussion of
application of the State Product Approval System to the
installation and the superstructure of AC Equipment
Background:
(1) 2007
301.12 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. Roof mounted mechanical units and supports shall be secured to the structure. The use of wood "sleepers" shall not be permitted.
(2) Declaratory
Statement DCA-08-DEC-205 clarifying that pursuant to section 301.13 Florida
Building Code, Mechanical Volume: "mechanical equipment, appliances and
support 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.
(3) At the June 2009 meeting, Broward County Board of
Rules and Appeals (BORA) requested that
the
Commission address issues regarding the Mechanical Code's requirement for
mechanical equipment exposed to wind to be designed for wind resistance.
(4) Hurricane Research Advisory Committee (HRAC).
The Commission
referred this issue to the HRAC so they could work with stakeholders to ensure
that the wind-load requirements of the Code are being complied with and to
evaluate issues and options for ensuring same. At the October 2009 HRAC meeting
there were multiple presentations on this topic “see attached report from the
October 09 HRAC meeting”. As part of the
discussion, the Committee discussed whether the State Product Approval Program
can be used to approve the structural aspects/attachments of AC units for
demonstrating compliance with the wind requirements of the FBC.
(5) Rule
9B-72 State Product Approval System
9B-72.005 Scope
(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.
9B-72.010 Definitions.
(d) For roofing products:
built up roofing, modified bitumen roof system, single ply roof systems, spray
applied polyurethane roof system, roofing fasteners, roofing insulation,
asphalt shingles, wood shingles and shakes, roofing slate, roof tile adhesives,
cements-adhesives-coatings, liquid applied roof systems, underlayments, metal
roofing, roofing tiles, waterproofing, roofing accessories that are an integral
part of the roofing system and products introduced as a result of new
technology;
(g) For structural
components: truss plates, wood connectors, anchors, exterior coolers-freezers,
insulation form systems, engineered lumber, pre-engineered air conditioner
stands, structural wall components, and roof deck, and products introduced as a
result of new technology.
9B-72.070 Product Evaluation and Quality Assurance
for State Approval
Product Compliance Methods:
There are two methods by which a manufacturer can demonstrate that their product complies with the Code:
Method 1: This method encompasses products, for which the code establishes performance criteria, standardized testing or comparative or rational analysis. Approval under this method would require submittal and validation using one of the following compliance methods:
(a) Certification mark or listing,
(b) Test report,
(c) Evaluation report from an entity or
(d) Evaluation report from an architect or engineer.
Method 2: This method covers products, for which there is no standardized testing, or comparative or rational analysis established in the code. Approval under this method would require submittal and validation using one of the following compliance methods:
(a) Evaluation report from an entity.
(b) Evaluation report from an architect or engineer.
(6) Similar
products currently approved under the PA program:
Roofing products:
Roofing accessories that are an integral
part of the roofing system:
Ridge vents, Turbien ventilation
Products introduced as a result of
new technology
Roof
top Solar AE – Collectors
DC
– PVB Penthouse Fan Enclosure
Structural components:
Pre-engineered air conditioner stands
Aluminum A/C Stands, Mechanical stands for solar collectors
panels
Products introduced as a result of new
technology
Staff recommendation:
It is the staff’s
opinion that AC equipments that are attached to the building envelope fall
within the scope of Rule 9B-72 as follows:
(1) Roof top AC equipments
(a) Category of
product: Roofing products; and Subcategory: either “roofing accessories that
are an integral part of the roofing system” or “product introduced as a result
of new technology, or
(b) Category of
product: Structural components; and
Subcategory: either “pre-engineered air conditioner stands” or “products
introduced as a result of new technology”.
(2) Wall mounted AC equipments:
Category of
product: Structural components; and
Subcategory: either “pre-engineered air conditioner stands” or “products
introduced as a result of new technology”.
Compliance method: Certification mark or listing, test report, evaluation report from an entity or evaluation report from an architect or engineer.