Interpretation #7469
Published March 23, 2015
Original Request
- Code Version
- 2007
- Code
- RESIDENT
- Code Description
- Residential
- Chapter
- 3
- Section
- TABLE R301.2(2)
- Topic
- Sealed windload calculations
Question
Why do plan reviewers require signed and sealed wind load calculations when the wind load values for the components and cladding are given in FBC R301.2(2) & FBC R301.2(3)
Answer Published 03/23/2015 at 3:55 PM
Plan reviewers require what they are directed to require by
the Building Official. If the building official requies
signed and sealed wind calculations, that is what the plan
reviewer requires. Without specifics of a project, we
cannot answer the question as to why signed and sealed wind
load calculations are being required. Additionally, FBC,
Residential R301.1, under the Exception does not include
TABLE R301.2 (2) for High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ),
which consists of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Wind
load calculations are required to be signed and sealed by a
professional engineer in areas under the HVHZ
the Building Official. If the building official requies
signed and sealed wind calculations, that is what the plan
reviewer requires. Without specifics of a project, we
cannot answer the question as to why signed and sealed wind
load calculations are being required. Additionally, FBC,
Residential R301.1, under the Exception does not include
TABLE R301.2 (2) for High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ),
which consists of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Wind
load calculations are required to be signed and sealed by a
professional engineer in areas under the HVHZ
Commentary
It is agreed this is not always mandated by the code or law
when using the prescriptive requirements included in the
code. While the question does not mention it, other
chapters such as Chapter 4 for foundations, and Chapter 6
for masonry walls also contain prescriptive provisions
allowing for wind resistant construction meeting the
Florida requirements.
The purpose of the FBC-R is to provide a prescriptive
document allowing the construction of covered structures
without the requirement for an architect or engineer. In
addition, the code adopts prescriptive documents which may
be used without the input from an architect or engineer. In
some cases, the requirement for signed and sealed documents
has become overused.