Florida HVHZ: Which Code Paragraphs Apply?

[flight7]

Following up on this old thread:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=183195

When working in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone in Florida, I understand that you shouldn't mix and match HVHZ provisions with non-HVHZ provisions. However, in that case the code doesn't always make sense.

Taking 2010 FBC Chapter 18 as an example, 1801.1 says, "Buildings and other structures located within the high-velocity hurricane zone shall comply with the provisions of Section 1805, Sections 1816 through 1834, and as applicable in flood hazard areas, Section 1612."

This seems to strongly imply that (for example) Section 1803 (Geotechnical Investigations) does not apply. But there are no requirements for geotech in 1805/1816-1834. Surely Section 1803 doesn't just vanish when you enter Miami-Dade County, does it?

On a more basic level, Section 1802 Definitions seems to be excluded from HVHZ. That can't be the writers' intent.

My bottom line question is: In the Florida HVHZ, is it correct to use ONLY the HVHZ sections of the building code?

 

[ron9876]

Did I understand you to say that our code doesn't make sense. How dare you. Just joking.

In the structural sections of the Florida Building Code you can take out the sections designated for the HVHZ and put them together and you have the structural code for Broward and Dade counties. They are completely seperate codes in the same binder.

 

[flight7]

Thanks for the confirmation, ron. I know that's been confirmed many times on this forum, but I still didn't quite believe it once I sat down to read the HVHZ sections. Section 1803 has two pages of requirements for geotech work, but section 1818 boils it down to (and I'm paraphrasing here), "use good engineering judgement and don't do anything stupid." I just thought I must be missing something.

 

[ron9876]

Yeah it makes about as much sense as many other political decisions.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

There are a few places in the IBC or IRC that don't make much sense...

 

[Ron]

flight7...the provisions that only relate to HVHZ in Florida are ridiculous. Our code (Florida Building Code) is probably the worst bastardization of the IBC you'll find, mostly because of the lack of consistency between HVHZ and other areas. Your lack of geotechnical requirement in the HVHZ is one example...there are many others. I get so frustrated with the lack of consistency I could scream...but alas...The Florida Department of Building Codes and Standards keeps on doing what they do, and 3 years behind schedule.

 

[dhengr]

Flight7:
Actually, the codes did use to say something like "use good engineering judgement and don't do anything stupid." and this phrase saved tens of thousands of pages of print and formulas and dollars in engineering fees/time and cost for new indecipherable codes. But, they also required people using the codes to acquire some experience and good judgement to use them properly. In an effort to democratize the design world, (that is, let the not-so-smart be designers too), the powers that be, wanted anyone who could follow a very complex cookbook recipe to be able to grind out a design, if they could properly step through enough formulas and flow charts, without otherwise having the vaguest idea what they were doing. Of course, this also caused the experienced designer to do a perfectly adequate design, but then spend two thirds of his/her design time checking to see that they didn’t forget to apply some statistical/probabilistic multiplier; phi, beta, sub uya equal to 1.001 or .993; so as to minimize their chances of facing a negligence charge or an E&O charge for something that really wouldn’t have changed the design anyway.

The general bldg. code requirements and the entire basic codes for Masonry, Wood, Concrete, Steel and Aluminum fit in one 5.5x8x1.5" thick book. Of course, we continued to do research and learn new things which were incorporated into our designs by following the tech. literature on the various materials and topics. Certainly, we learned new things about EQ loading and high winds and flooding which an intelligent designer would want to incorporate into a good design. I don’t know the FBC, but can certainly understand the need for considering high wind forces, in all their variations and projectile impacts, in some areas of the state. Everyone does know that the level/volume of hot-air changes drastically once you leave Broward and Dade counties so special needs may be appropriate there.