Storm & Security

16 STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / FORECAST 2015 CODE UPDATE Benefits for the Public and Industry Key points of the Florida Building Code 5th Edition (2014) Florida building permits applied for after midnight on June 30, 2015, will be required to comply with the new Fifth Edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC), which takes effect at that time. Due to provisions enacted by the Florida legislature, all Florida-specific amendments to the base code (International Code) sunset at each triennial update of the Florida code. The hurricane and storm protection industry, through efforts by the International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA), has managed to secure a number of changes to the code that benefit both the public and the industry. This article is intended to highlight some of the key points of the new code of interest to the industry. 1. Wind Zones. The Wind Zone 4 changes approved in the 2012 Supplement to the 2010 Florida Building Code are included in the FBC Fifth Edition in both the Building and Residential volumes of the code. This change prevents the more stringent provisions adopted in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward County) from being applied in a wider area of the state. FBC-B 1609.1.2.2. Application of ASTM E 1996. The text of Section 6.2.2 of ASTM E 1996 shall be substituted as follows: 6.2.2 Unless otherwise specified, select the wind zone based on the strength design wind speed, Vult, as follows: 6.2.2.1 Wind Zone 1—130 mph ≤ ultimate design wind speed, Vult < 140 mph. 6.2.2.2 Wind Zone 2—140 mph ≤ ultimate design wind speed, Vult < 150 mph at greater than one mile (1.6 km) from the coastline. The coastline shall be measured from the mean high water mark. 6.2.2.3 Wind Zone 3—150 mph (67 m/s) ≤ ultimate design wind speed, Vult ≤ 170 mph (76 m/s), or 140 mph (63 m/s) ≤ ultimate design wind speed, Vult ≤ 170 mph (76 m/s) and within one mile(1.6 km) of the coastline. The coastline shall be measured from the mean high water mark. 6.2.2.4 Wind Zone 4— ultimate design wind speed, Vult >170 mph (76 m/s). FBC-R R301.2.1.2.1 Modifications to ASTM E 1996. Section 6.2.2 of ASTM E 1996 shall be modified as follows: 6.2.2 Unless otherwise specified, select the wind zone based on the ultimate design wind speed, Vult as follows: 6.2.2.1 Wind Zone 1 - 130 mph (58 m/s) ≤ ultimate design wind speed, Vult < 140 mph (62.5 m/s), and Hawaii. 6.2.2.2 Wind Zone 2 - 140 mph (62.5 m/s) ≤ ultimate design wind speed, Vult < 150 mph 67m/s) at greater than one mile (1.6 km) from the coastline. The coastline shall be measured from the mean high water mark. 6.2.2.3 Wind Zone 3 - 150 mph (67 m/s) ≤ ultimate design wind speed, Vult ≤ 170 mph (76 m/s), or 140 mph (62.5 m/s) ≤ ultimate design wind speed, Vult ≤ 170 mph (76 m/s) and within one mile (1.6 km) of the coastline. The coastline shall be measured from the mean high water mark. 6.2.2.4 Wind Zone 4 - ultimate design wind speed, Vult > 170 mph (76 m/s). 2. Permits, Plan Review, and Inspections. Requirements for building permits, plan review, and inspection previously adopted have been retained in the FBC Fifth Edition. 3. Labeling. Requirements for labeling of impact resistant coverings and impact resistant glass previously adopted have been retained in the FBC Fifth Edition. 4. Protection of Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings. Provisions allowing the protection of emergency escape and rescue openings during the threat of a storm have been retained in the FBC Fifth Edition. These provisions still seem to create some confusion both in the industry and in the enforcement industry. In short, these changes permit the protection of emergency escape and rescue openings, provided a means of escape consisting of a door, stairway, passage, or hall providing a way of unobstructed travel to the outside at street or ground level. Means of escape are not required to meet the requirements for means of egress. The means of escape may be through a garage with a side-hinged door. The greatest impact of the code on the industry will be in the area of fenestration. | by Joseph D. Belcher

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