FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION MEETING July 10, 11 and 12, 2006 Hard Rock Hotel Seminole Indian Country, FL

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1 FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION MEETING July 10, 11 and 12, 2006 Hard Rock Hotel Seminole Indian Country, FL The Florida Building Commission held its July 2006 meeting to consider, discuss and take action on the following issues of interest to the fenestration industry: 1. Hurricane Research Advisory Work Group presentations from the FMA and SE AAMA. 2. Hear reports and vote on recommendations resulting from the Panhandle Study on Determination of Wind Speed lines. 3. Review and update Commission work plan. 4. Hear reports from the Windows Work Group. 5. Hear reports from the Product Approval Validation Work Group. 6. Hold a Supplemental Rule Development Workshop on rule 9B-3.047, Florida Building Code. The following is Dick Wilhelm s interpretation of the events that transpired. HURRICANE RESEARCH ADVISORY WORK GROUP The Hurricane Research Advisory Work Group entertained presentations from Freddie Cole, President of the FMA; Sigi Valentin, Regional Director of SE AAMA and Dr. Larry Twisdale, P.E., Applied Research Associates, Inc. Mr. Cole, General Aluminum, led off by presenting the FMA protocol for the installation of windows into a masonry substrate. As you are aware, the FMA Installation Committee, under the leadership of Mark Daniels, Sika Corporation, has labored for over a year to perfect these protocols (FMA and FMA ) at the request of the Florida Building Commission. These protocols (prescriptive in nature) will be the basis of an amendment to the 2006 Supplement to the 2007 Florida Building Code. The amendment will be drafted in August in a joint effort by Dick Wilhelm, FMA and Sigi Valentin, SE AAMA, at the specific request of Rick Dixon, Chief of Staff, Florida Building Commission. Mr. Cole s presentation was well received by the Work Group with no follow up questions. This is a credit to the presenter (Mr. Cole) for delivering a clear and concise Power Point on a complex subject. Mr. Sigi Valentin presented a Power Point, with video, detailing the SE AAMA research project, An Evaluation of the Water Performance of Fenestration Products Subjected to Severe Wind Driven Rain Events, Draft 2.

2 Mr. Valentin compared the differences in the ASTM E 331, Static Test Method; ASTME E 547, Static Test Method; ASTM E 501.1, Dynamic Test Method and ASTM E 2268, Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights and Doors by Rapid Pulsed Air Pressure test protocols. According to Mr. Valentin, the AAMA National Board directed the SE AAMA to continue the research utilizing the ASTM E 2268 test protocol. This research will be provided to the Hurricane Research Advisory Work Group in the fall. To date, some observations of the test results utilizing ASTM E 2268 protocol: The section modulus of the window and door profile greatly impacts the water performance level. Shutters can improve the water performance when tested in compliance to ASTM E 330 and ASTM E 1886/1996. Shutters should be labeled as compliant to these two referenced standards. Current products with high water resistant levels, besides fixed- lites, are compression sealed units such as casement, awnings and tilt-turn. Mr. Valentin concluded there are window and door products available to resist water intrusion but remain expensive. The average production run fenestration product will not meet the 100% dry test in hurricane force winds and rain. Mr. Valentin concluded that the FMA and SE AAMA could not address the water intrusion issue alone but would require all trades in the building envelope to participate. Draft #3 of the SE AAMA Research Project Report will be reviewed at the SE AAMA Conference at World Golf Village in August. FMA members who belong to SE AAMA and will be attending this meeting are strongly advised to participate in drafting recommendations. These recommendations will go to the Florida Building Commission for discussion and implementation at some future date. Dr. Larry Twisdale, P.E., Applied Research Associates, Inc., Principal Researcher for the Florida Panhandle Wind Borne Debris Study, presented the findings of Phase I in the mathematical modeling of a treed environment. The resulting recommendation of Dr. Twisdale was that wind borne debris protection in the Florida Panhandle should be drawn at the 130 mph isotach. Chairman Rodriquez noted that a new definition of Exposure C would be forthcoming. This new definition will take into consideration areas around rivers, bays and lakes and will have an affect on design pressures. Dr. Twisdale recommend Florida adopt a new exposure category, Exposure T for a treed environment.

3 Commission Chairman Rodriquez moved the question as to the continuance of Phase II of this study to include a scientific review of the isotachs (ASCE 7-98 wind speed map) in the rest of Florida. The motion carried. Phase II will cost $250,000. The funding has been appropriated from the building license trust fund. This review of the existing 120 wind borne debris line will have to be followed closely by the fenestration industry, in particular our laminated glass manufacturers and suppliers. Rick Dixon, Chief of Staff, stated that the Labeling/Water Intrusion Work Group would continue to put forth recommendations on content for a supplemental label. Mr. Dixon reiterated that his goal is to give building officials enough information to be assured that the performance characteristics of a particular window is accurate. There was no mention of another meeting date of this work group. Steve Strawn, Jeld-Wen and Robert Amoruso, Florida Extruders, International represents the FMA on this work group. Mr. Dixon announced the creation of the Garage Door/Shutter Labeling Work Group and asked for volunteers. The meeting concluded with Mr. Dixon thanking the FMA and SE AAMA for the work they are engaged in to help solve the water intrusion problem in Florida. COMMISSION WORK PLAN UPDATE Mr. Dixon provided new dates for the implementation schedule for the 2007 Florida Building Code: Proposed amendment cut off date is December 1, Printed version of the 2007 Florida Building Code will be available on 1/1/ Florida Building Code will be implemented on 10/1/08. Mr. Dixon announced that a quarterly newsletter will be available from the Florida Building Commission beginning September WINDOWS/WATER INTRUSION WORK GROUP The Windows and Water Intrusion Work Group is developing a laundry list for a supplemental label to be required for windows and sliding glass doors sold in Florida. The contents are still being discussed. There is no date set for the next meeting. The current recommendation: Prescriptive section in the code that would provide anchoring requirements with exceptions for non-standard installations. Manufacturer instructions would provide for override. Require a Supplemental Label printed by the manufacturer, licensed/validated by certification program tied to permanent label, one rating per window, design pressures, anchoring size and spacing, safety glazing detail and energy rating. Define product characteristics required on permanent labels in the code.

4 Limit of one product rating per permanent certification label. Supplemental labels shall have a standardized template/format. The standardized template shall have specific information found in the same location on the label. Supplemental label should indicate impact rating. The energy rating shall be required on the supplemental label. Require that the certification agency, testing lab, evaluation entity or Miami-Dade Product Approval be identified on the permanent and supplemental label. The product model/series number should be on the permanent and supplemental labels. FL number or NOA number shall be on the supplemental label. Require the actual size of the window to be on the supplemental label. Require the thickness of the glazing to be indicated on the supplemental label. Design pressures must include the positive and negative on the supplemental label. PRODUCT APPROVAL VALIDATION WORK GROUP The Product Approval Validation Work Group will proceed with Chapter 120 rule development at the August Commission meeting in Miami Lakes. Jeff Blair, the FSU Facilitator has posted the exact language on the Florida Building Commission web site ( As the language is extensive, may I suggest visiting this site and clicking under Product Approval Validation Work Group. Extensive changes will occur in the four certification methods for product approval: Certification; Evaluation from Architect or Engineer; Test Report and Evaluation Entity. PUBLIC HEARING ON CHAPTER 9B-3.047, FLORIDA BUILDING CODE As everyone is aware, this is a hot button issue with a lot of politics behind it. It was extremely interesting to watch the dynamics in the room that day between the Florida Building Commission, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, the Insurance Commissioner of Florida, the insurance industry lobbyist and the north Florida members on the Florida Building Commission. In a nutshell, the north Florida boys prevailed after many compelling minutes of testimony by the insurance industry as to the catastrophic effects on Florida s economy and insurance rates if the Commission backed the 130 mph wind borne debris line for the Panhandle. Commissioner Bassett made a motion to continue the 120 mph wind borne debris line until further science demonstrated otherwise. Commissioner Ed Carson, a builder from Pensacola, turned the tide against the 120 mph motion when he testified he did not need window protection when pine trees keep falling through his roof. Commissioner Carson further testified that 90% of the damage his company repairs after a storm is from roof damage.

5 Chairman Rodriquez summed it up with, I believe the 120 mph line is more conservative but Commissioner Carson painted the most accurate picture. ASCE 7 was the best science at the time but we have new science. I will stick with the 130. The Chairman called for a vote and the 130 mph wind storm debris line stands by a vote of 15 yeas to 3 nays. This issue will be heard for a third and final time at the Commission s August meeting in Miami Lakes. If passed, the 130 mph wind borne debris requirement for the Florida Panhandle will go into effect May Next Florida Building Commission meeting in Miami Lakes, FL at the Don Shula Resort and Country Club, August 21, 22 and 23.