Staff Analysis for Declaratory Statement Request DS 2017-036

Issue: DS 2017-036. Petitioner seeks a Declaratory Statement on whether Rule 61G20-3 State Product Approval applies to Structa Wire. The Petitioner requests clarification to the following questions:

Does Structa Wire require a separate Florida Building Report# to meet Florida Building requirements as per Rule 61G20 -3?

Background:

Situation:

Structa Wire Corp. engineers, manufactures and markets welded wire stucco lathing products through-out North America. According to the manufacturer, Structa products are fully tested and approved by IAPMO ER 2017 and comply with the Florida Building Code. Structa Wire Corp is seeking written clarification from the Commission as to whether the Structa Wire Stucco Reinforcing products fall within the scope of Rule 61G20-3 and require approval from the Florida Building Commission to be sold and used in construction in Florida. Such a clarification will clear up questions from distributors, building officials & inspectors, contractors and building owners who are unfamiliar with Structa Wire products.

The manufacturer provides for following facts:

In 2008 we received such a Declaratory Statement- but there is a need for further clarification and renewal of that 2008 Declaration (attached).

As part of our IAPMO Evaluation we have met and exceeded requirements and maintain required quality assurance procedures. We have attached our ER 2017 report with a separate Florida Supplement.

ER 2017

Ref Para PRODUCT NAME

3.1 .1 Structalath Ill No. 17 SFCR

3.2.1 Structalath Ill SFCR 316

3.3.1 Structalth No. 17 SFCR twin Trac 2.5

3.4 Structa Mega Lath

3.5.1 Structa V Truss WC Lath II

Structa products are non-structural reinforcing components for use in stucco wall systems and are fully tested and approved by IAPMO ER 2017. As part of the approval process Structa products were approved in comparative tests and showed that the panels utilizing Structa Wire products exceed the allowable transverse loading of other metal lathing products allowed in the Code. Therefore Structa Wire's lathing products comply with prevailing Florida codes and can be used as alternates to other metal laths.

Rule 61G20-3 PRODUCT APPROVAL

61G20-3.001 Scope.

(1) Products in the following categories as defined by subcategories of subsection 61G20-3.002(33), F.A.C., shall be available for approval by the Commission pursuant to Rule 61G20-3.007, F.A.C., for use in the state:

(a) Panel Walls;

(b) Exterior Doors;

(c) Roofing Products;

(d) Skylights;

(e) Windows;

(f) Shutters;

(g) Structural Components; and

(h) Impact Protective Systems.

(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.

Rulemaking Authority 553.842(1) FS. Law Implemented 553.842(5) FS. History–New 11-22-06, Formerly 9B-72.005, 9N-3.001, Amended 4-1-14.

61G20-3.002 Definitions.

31) Structural component means any part or assembly of buildings that comprises the main wind force resisting system and components or cladding.

(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.

2014 Florida Building Code, Building

SECTION 2507 LATHING AND PLASTERING

2507.1 General.

Lathing and plastering materials and accessories shall be marked by the manufacturer’s designation to indicate compliance with the appropriate standards referenced in this section and stored in such a manner to protect them from the weather.

2507.2 Standards.

Lathing and plastering materials shall conform to the standards listed in Table 2507.2 and Chapter 35 and, where required for fire protection, shall also conform to the provisions of Chapter 7.

TABLE 2507.2 LATH, PLASTERING MATERIALS AND ACCESSORIES

MATERIAL STANDARD

Accessories for gypsum veneer base ASTM C 1047

Blended cement ASTM C 595

Exterior plaster bonding compounds ASTM C 932

Gypsum casting and molding plaster ASTM C 59

Gypsum Keene’s cement ASTM C 61

Gypsum plaster ASTM C 28

Gypsum veneer plaster ASTM C 587

Interior bonding compounds, gypsum ASTM C 631

Lime plasters ASTM C 5; C 206

Masonry cement ASTM C 91

Metal lath ASTM C 847

Plaster aggregates

Sand ASTM C 35; C 897

Perlite ASTM C 35

Vermiculite ASTM C 35

Plastic cement ASTM C 1328

Portland cement ASTM C 150

Steel screws ASTM C 1002; C 954

Steel studs and track ASTM C 645; C 955

Welded wire lath ASTM C 933

Woven wire plaster base ASTM C 1032

SECTION 2510 LATHING AND FURRING FOR CEMENT PLASTER (STUCCO)

2510.1 General.
Exterior and interior cement plaster and lathing shall be done with the appropriate materials listed in Table 2507.2 and Chapter 35.

2510.2 Weather protection.
Materials shall be stored in such a manner as to protect such materials from the weather.

2510.3 Installation.
Installation of these materials shall be in compliance with ASTM C 926 and ASTM C 1063.

2510.4 Corrosion resistance.
Metal lath and lath attachments shall be of corrosion-resistant material.

2510.5 Backing.
Backing or a lath shall provide sufficient rigidity to permit plaster applications.

2510.5.1 Support of lath.
Where lath on vertical surfaces extends between rafters or other similar projecting members, solid backing shall be installed to provide support for lath and attachments

Florida Statutes

553.8425 Local product approval.—

(1) For local product approval, products or systems of construction shall demonstrate compliance with the structural windload requirements of the Florida Building Code through one of the following methods:

(a) A certification mark, listing, or label from a commission-approved certification agency indicating that the product complies with the code;

(b) A test report from a commission-approved testing laboratory indicating that the product tested complies with the code;

(c) A product-evaluation report based upon testing, comparative or rational analysis, or a combination thereof, from a commission-approved product evaluation entity which indicates that the product evaluated complies with the code;

(d) A product-evaluation report or certification based upon testing or comparative or rational analysis, or a combination thereof, developed and signed and sealed by a Florida professional engineer or Florida registered architect, which indicates that the product complies with the code;

(e) A statewide product approval issued by the Florida Building Commission; or

(f) Designation of compliance with a prescriptive, material standard adopted by the commission by rule under s. 553.842(15).

(2) For product-evaluation reports that indicate compliance with the code based upon a test report from an approved testing laboratory and rational or comparative analysis by a Florida registered architect or Florida professional engineer, the testing laboratory or the evaluating architect or engineer must certify independence from the product manufacturer.

(3) Local building officials may accept modifications to approved products or their installations if sufficient evidence is submitted to the local building official to demonstrate compliance with the code or the intent of the code, including such evidence as certifications from a Florida registered architect or Florida professional engineer.

(4) Products demonstrating compliance shall be manufactured under a quality assurance program audited by an approved quality assurance entity.

(5) Products bearing a certification mark, label, or listing by an approved certification agency require no further documentation to establish compliance with the code.

(6) Upon review of the compliance documentation, and a finding that the product complies with the code, the authority having jurisdiction or a local building official shall deem the product approved for use in accordance with its approval and limitation of use.

(7) Approval shall be valid until such time as the product changes and decreases in performance; the standards of the code change, requiring increased performance; or the approval is otherwise suspended or revoked. Changes to the code do not void the approval of products previously installed in existing buildings if such products met building code requirements at the time the product was installed.

Staff Analysis:

Question: Does Structa Wire require a separate Florida Building Report# to meet Florida Building requirements as per Rule 61G20 -3?

Answer: No, as per Rule 61G-3.001 Scope and Rule 61G-3.002 Definitions, Structa Wire product is not a structural component and therefore does not fall within the scope of Rule 61G20-3 State Product Approval. However, the product in question is subject to approval by the local authority having jurisdiction.