FBC Meets in Florida

The Florida Building Code Committee met August 20, 21 and 22. During the meeting, the group received an updated on the installation standards, developed by the Fenestration Manufacturers Association, the Architectural Manufacturers Association and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association by Sigi Valentin (CLICK HERE for related story). In addition, Valentin presented the status of the voluntary standard for water intrusion on which AAMA currently is working.

In addition, Kurt Curley, Ph.D., and Forest Masters, Ph.D., from the University of Florida (UF) provided an update on the university's progress on evaluating residual capacity of a window protection system and impact-resistant windows. So far, UF has tested a 25 impact window using 1/8-inch annealed glass with a .090 interlayer and 1/8-inch annealed glass. Likewise, the group has developed a test method for shutters, utilizing a 9-lb. 2x4 projectile, corner-impact overlapped and non-overlapped panels, using the direct installation method. The university increased the speed of the projectile and discovered that penetration and tears occurred, along with gaps and installation failure. The products tested were aluminum panels, .05 gauges and .06 gauges at 76 feet per second. Likewise, steel panels were tested at .024, .031 and .041 gauge at 68 feet per second and 81 feet per second.

The International Hurricane Research Center at Florida International University (FIU) also presented an update on its "Wall of Window" project. FIU currently is conducting full-scale testing instead of mode testing on windows and can test to failure. However, the group noted that when designing for wind loads, that ASCE-7 does not consider the effect of crosswinds.

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