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Interpretations Request Input

Original Request

  • Request ID: 8558
  • Requested By: Rick Reid
  • Requester E-Mail: rick@handcraftedirondoors.com
  • Code Version: 2021
  • Code: STATUTE
  • Code Description:
  • Chapter:
  • Section: 1709.5 Exception
  • Topic: Custom Iron Doors
  • Question: I need clarification on the code 1709.5 Exception for custom iron doors. I design and make custom one of a kind iron doors by hand for clients in Florida and we have made our custom iron doors for the last 11 years. We make them in all different sizes, shapes, and designs,. We make each and every door custom. We do not make doors to stock and just resell. Each door is designed individually, uniquely and manufactured by hand out of tubular steel and welded together. We offer 30+ custom handles for our doors, but again we can tweak anything since everything is custom. Doors that we make that need glass or glazing, have 1" thick triple pane hurricane rated glass to satisfy the requirements of the code and to be hurricane rated. We have a Florida Engineer that has reviewed the construction of our doors and has created stamped and sealed drawings for our different sized doors. When we make a door, even if we made two doors that were similar, you could not switch the doors leafs on the doors as each door is specific to the door and jamb we manufacture for each unit. We want to have clarification that the code section 1709.5 Exception applies to our doors that we design, create and manufacture and that our Stamped, Signed and Sealed Engineered Rational Analysis is being properly used for our custom Hurricane rated iron doors.
  • Comment: We have never had any issues with any county in the state accepting our stamp and sealed engineer rational analysis showing our doors meet and exceed the hurricane standards for the Florida Building Code. We currently have a local building plan examiner questioning the use of the rational analysis and whether we are allowed to use this for our fully custom doors. Can you please provide an interpretation for us on this code. I have attached some of the custom one of a kind iron doors that we manufacture along with some examples of our handles, the composition of the glass we use, the hurricane bolts we weld at the top and bottom of each door for hurricane protection and lastly a before and after picture of a door we have recently installed. Thank you.
  • Attachment 1: Download

Existing Interpretations and/or Declaratory Statements Related to this request

Input Received:

The Exception contained in Code section 1709.5 allows the use of custom one-of-a-kind doors that are designed and engineered using accepted engineering practices, by a Florida Registered Design Professional that submits signed and sealed copies of rational analysis and calculations. The rational analysis and calculations are to be made separately for each and every individual custom door not just for different door sizes from one manufacturer.
Michael Grimm on 09/08/2021 at 3:59 PM
I believe the question is fine as presented. The code section was put in the code specifically to deal with the described situation, custom (one-of-a-kind) doors. Although, as I recall, the doors in question were made of rare imported wood. The code section specifically states such doors may be designed and engineered [er accepted engineering practice. Although we do not have what he says was attached to review, it seems the requester meets the code. I agree with Michael Grimm, separate analysis is required for each door or set of doors.
Joseph Belcher on 09/08/2021 at 7:36 PM
Agreed. Site specific engineering.
Edward Roseberry on 09/08/2021 at 10:13 PM
Agree with Mike and Joe.
John Farinelli on 09/08/2021 at 10:14 PM
Agreed
Thomas Allen on 09/09/2021 at 1:20 PM
I agree as well. site specific.
Samuel Greenberg on 09/10/2021 at 4:45 PM

Answer:

The Exception contained in section 1709.5 allows the use of custom one-of-a-kind doors that are designed and engineered using accepted engineering practices, performed by a Florida Registered Design Professional that submits signed and sealed copies of rational analysis and calculations. The rational analysis and calculations are to be made separately for each and every individual custom door not just for different door sizes from one manufacturer.
On 09/13/2021 at 11:07 AM

Commentary:

At the time, this code section was adopted specifically to deal with the described situation, custom (one-of-a-kind) doors. Although the doors in question at that time were made of rare imported wood, it applies to all doors in the category. The code section specifically states such doors may be designed and engineered per accepted engineering practice. Separate analysis is required for each door or set of doors.

Comments on Draft:

Looks good
Andrew Bruhn on 09/13/2021 at 11:10 AM
I agree.
Joseph Belcher on 09/13/2021 at 1:30 PM
agree
Michael Grimm on 09/13/2021 at 1:48 PM
Yup.
John Farinelli on 09/14/2021 at 11:43 AM
Agreed
Edward Roseberry on 09/14/2021 at 8:20 PM
agreed
Thomas Allen on 09/15/2021 at 5:52 PM
Publish Draft Interpretation