Building Officials Association of Florida
Protecting Lives and Property since 1953

Interpretation #7376

Published July 25, 2014

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Original Request

Code Version
2010
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Building
Chapter
16
Section
1609
Topic
Debris protection on commercial

Question

Is it the intent of section 1609.1.2 exception 1, to restrict wood structural panels used as wind borne debris protection to R3 and R4 occupancies only?

Answer Published 07/25/2014 at 3:47 PM

Yes

Commentary

Other occupancies must meet one of the requirements as specified in 1609.1.2. The Exception applies solely to R-3 and R-4 occupancies. However, a system may be designed by a professional engineer using wood structural panels. The designed engineered system would have to meet all the requirements of one of the referenced standards. This would be a local site specific product approval as required by Rule 9N-3.