DCA09-DEC-025

Issue:  Brad Weatherholtz, Director of Technical Sales, Florida Roofing Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors Association, Inc. seeks a clarification regarding Section 611.7.1 of the 2007 Florida Building Code, Existing Building with the 2009 Supplement and provides for the following questions:

 

Question 1:  Is a 0.131 diameter nail, minimum 2.25” long, acceptable as an existing nail in lieu of the above referenced .141 diameters when re-nailing roof decks as per the 2007 FBC, Existing Building Volume, section 611.7.1 and associated sections.

Question 2:  Is .141 a typographical error?

 

Background: 

 

2007 FBC, Existing Building with 2009 Supplement:

 

611.7.1 Roof decking attachment for site-built single family residential structures.  For site-built single family residential structures the fastening shall be in accordance with section 611.7.1.1 or 611.7.1.2 as appropriate for the existing construction. 8d nails shall be a minimum of 0.141 inch in diameter and shall be a minimum of 2-1/4 inch long to qualify for the provisions of this section for existing nails regardless of head shape or head diameter.

 

Situation:

 

The FRSA members have recently discovered that the 0.141 diameter nail referenced above is not readily available and research shows special ordering would be required as stated by a large majority of distributors that were contacted.  The commonly stocked diameter nail is .131 when using ring shank, 2.25” length, round head fasteners.  Additionally it was stated that .0141 diameter nails would not work in a majority of pneumatic guns as well.

 

The Florida Roofing Sheet metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, Inc is requesting clarification on behalf of Advanced Roofing Service of Ft Myers regarding existing nail diameter requirements as listed above in section 611.7.1  Advanced Roofing Services is in the process of undertaking a roof covering replacement project in Ft Myers involving a single family home. 

 

2007 Florida Building Code, Building

Chapter 35 Referenced Standards - National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction- with 2005 Supplement

 

CHAPTER 23

WOOD

2306.1 Allowable stress design. The structural analysis and construction of wood elements in structures using allowable stress design shall be in accordance with the following applicable standards:

 

American Forest & Paper Association.

 

NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction

 

 

2306.3 Wood diaphragms.

 

2306.3.1 Wood structural panel diaphragms. Wood structural panel diaphragms are permitted to resist horizontal forces using the allowable shear capacities set forth in Table 2306.3.1 or 2306.3.2. The allowable shear capacities are permitted to be calculated by principles of mechanics without limitations by using values for fastener strength in the AF&PA NDS, structural design properties for wood structural panels based on DOC PS-1 and DOC PS-2 or wood structural panel design properties given in the APA Panel Design Specification (PDS).

 

Referenced standard

2005 AF&PA National Design Specification for Wood Construction   

 

                                                                                                            Table L4 p. 167

 

Staff recommendation:

 

Question 1:  Is a 0.131 diameter nail, minimum 2.25” long, acceptable as an existing nail in lieu of the above referenced .141 diameters when re-nailing roof decks as per the 2007 FBC, Existing Building Volume, section 611.7.1 and associated sections.

Answer:  Yes. It appears that there is an internal conflict within Section 611.7.1 with regard to the specifications for an 8d nails.  According to the National Design Specification for Wood Construction “NDS”, which is adopted by reference in the FBC, Building Volume “See Table L4 above”, the minimum diameter for an 8d common nail is (.131”).  There are no technical bases or justification available from the national standard of practice for the (.141”) specification.  Therefore, it is evident that the diameter for a standard 8d Common nail is “.131 inch” and not “.141 inch”.

 

 

Question 2:  Is .141 a typographical error?

Answer:  See above.