Definition of the term “Research” as approved by the Commission at the August Commission meeting:

Research:  An important and necessary endeavor that aimed at studying specific code related issue(s)/topics for the purpose of providing solutions to a specific problem or future code change(s) directed at improving the implementation and enforcement of the FBC.  The issue to be researched must be fully understood (i.e. with clear purpose of doing the research/goals); clearly defined with specific scope of work/approach; and within budget.

 

TAC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSION ACTION – August 22, 2013

 

The TAC recommends the following actions to the Florida Building Commission:

1.) The Commission approve a project to work with an independent third party expert to evaluate

the issue of corrosion of exterior building system fasteners in the form of a survey/assessment

research project. The focus should be to clearly define the problem, analyze relevant issues and to

develop recommendations for actions going forward.

The TAC agreed to conduct a TAC meeting in the near future to clearly scope the parameters of the

proposed corrosion of fasteners issue. TAC members and members’ of the public should provide

their recommendations to Mo Madani. Mo will compile the proposed scoping issues and

recommendations and the TAC will conduct a teleconference meeting to scope the proposed

research/assessment project.

Scoping issues received:

From: Brian Swope [mailto:brian@tamparoofing.com]
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2013 12:59 PM
To: Peters, Marlita
Cc: Madani, Mo
Subject: RE: Research project - corrosion of fasteners

My recommendation/request for the research project would be to try and determine the cause for the corrosion in roofing fasteners. There was discussion in the last Roofing TAC meeting about corrosion due to dissimilar metals, but in my opinion is not the issue. There is a chart in the building code that spells out what metals are/aren’t compatible. I feel that the issue is due to the coatings that are being applied to the nails. How is this coating being effected when struck with a hammer or when it goes through a shingle? Also, are the failures that we are seeing a direct result of inferior raw materials? The question/issue keeps coming up as an “exterior building fastener” issue. I am probably a little more biased/selfish than I should be, but I would like to see the research focus mainly on roofing fasteners.

From[MM1] : Mark Zehnal [mailto:Mark@floridaroof.com]
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2013 4:21 PM
To: Madani, Mo
Subject: RE: Research project - corrosion of fasteners

Send out a Survey Monkey questionnaire to roofing contractors and inspectors licensed in the state of Florida.

Ask multiple choice questions about observing any roofing fastener corrosion issues,

1)      Type of fastener (circle all that apply) 

       a. Smooth           b. Ring shank              c. Barbed             d. Screw

2)      Type of corrosion resistance (circle all that apply)

 

a.       Electro Galvanized     b. Hot Dipped Galvanized  c. Nonferrous Metal 

3)      Locations of building

       a.   County____________________    b. Wind Bourn Debris Region (Yes)   (No)

4)      Type of roofing system (circle all that apply)

       a.   Asphalt Shingle   b. Clay/Concrete Tile      c. Architectural Metal     d. Other_________________

5)      Approximate age of roofing system

       a. _______________

6)      frequency of findings: _____________________________________________________________

 

7)      Do you check for and find that fastener packages bear the manufacturer's identifying marks and approved testing agency labels for code compliance?   (Yes)  (No)  (Sometimes)

 

8)      I am a licensed:

 

9)      Roofing Contractor___   b. Inspector ___ c. Building Official___  d. Other ____________________

 

From: Rosalie Bianco [mailto:roseb@arl-test.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2013 2:57 PM
To: Madani, Mo
Subject: RE: TAC committee meeting Fort Lauderdale Hilton

In my personal opinion and briefly, (what I believe is the most important) first is to question whether or not you want to start from the existing side (what has already been installed) or from the distribution/manufacturing side.

With this said should a “Field Evaluation” survey or assessment project be done and pulling nails from jobs are decided, the industry must be prepared for what we may find.  What if the nails fail?  What would the plan of action be from here?  Reroofs could possibly be happening all over the State of Florida.  Think of how many homes were built during the Florida Building Boom alone, do the numbers and prepare for the worse. 

Next, I believe the Miami Dade Protocol TAS 114 G85 Appx. E is sufficient.  It is a good test method. This does not need to be changed in my personal opinion.  I personally believe we should consider the method of Quality Control and Testing. 

Let’s use the EPA program introduced in 1992 for example, Energy Star.

TO QUOTE: “conduct a basic engineering research and technology program to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate non–regulatory strategies and technologies for reducing air pollution.”

When a 3rd party testing lab ( such as ARL ) is contracted to do Energy Star testing, we, as a certifying body and testing lab are certified by Energy Star. (same as Miami).  Then, WE are required to pull from the shelves 10% of our product pool every year.  This is a requirement.  The manufacture is responsible for all expenses. 

(I realize Miami Dade has a similar program, however Miami Dade pulls the box from the shelf and the manufacture gets to choose the approved Miami Dade testing lab).  I also believe they have a lot on their plate. 

The next responsibility of the Testing Lab is to report to Energy Star (we can say Miami Dade in the fastener realm) yearly.  Miami Dade runs the program, but the Testing Labs do all the reporting.

 

I think this is a better way to do it. 

To sum it up, a survey/assessment research project is certainly needed to specifically report the current issue at hand.  Should we get a bad storm, this will show its face anyway as Hurricane Andrew did.

These will be the first deciding factors. 

I can certainly help with this personally and my lab can easily help with the corrosion testing. 

 

 


 [MM1]