MyFloridaCode.com

David,

 

Answering your question is sort of like trying to shoot a bumble bee with a BB gun while riding a unicycle while blindfolded. 

 

First, the OIR form says:

 

“Gable End(s) are braced at a minimum in accordance with the 2001 Florida Building Code.”  

 

Note that doesn’t refer to the 2004 FBC or the Existing Building Code, which is where the newer RETROFIT gable end bracing requirements live. 

 

To meet the requirements of the 2001 (or 04 for that matter) code in regards to resisting wind forces, the builder could use one of the prescriptive methods listed in the code, which no one does, or they can have an architect or engineer certify that the plans meet the requirements of the code, which everyone does because it’s easier. 

 

So in order to answer the question, you would have to look at the gable end bracing details specified on the plans for the house, (or in the prescriptive method referenced by the plans) which obviously are probably not going to be available to you during a Wind Mitigation Inspection. 

 

Having said that, I’ve looked at numerous gable end bracing details on plans and the majority of them require something like this for a CB wall with a wood gable end truss above it:

 

2x top plate bolted to the top of the block wall

Truss nailed to top plate (which of course isn’t visible)

Blocking between top and bottom chords of the first 4 trusses back from the gable spaced at 4’ OC

X bracing in the first 4 trusses back from the gable spaced at 4’ OC

 

So if I see something similar that that, I’ll check the form yes. 

 

 

 

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave. 

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

http://www.BestTampaInspector.com

 

From: codetalk-bounces at myfloridacode.com [mailto:codetalk-bounces at myfloridacode.com] On Behalf Of Cbreezewalker at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 11:01 AM
To: codetalk at myfloridacode.com
Subject: [Florida Code Talk] Wind Mitigation Inspections

 

Folks, 

 

It seems that the Florida insurance industry has determined that a very high percentage of the wind mitigation inspection reports (principally done by state contractors, with state dollars, under a state program) contain errors that result in insured's receiving excessive credits against otherwise applicable premium costs.  

 

Of course the insurance industry is upset and is undertaking a program of re-inspection on their nickel (or in the case of Citizens…our nickel again - probably $60 million of 'em) in the belief that getting the inspections correct will eventually offset the costs of re-inspections.  And they're probably correct! 

 

As a small licensed contractor, I’ve been called on several times to conduct wind mitigation inspections and believe that I have completed them without error.  However, I have reviewed my work and now realize that I actually can't say – as regards gable end bracing – what meets the minimum requirements of the 2004 FBC.  And worse yet, I can’t find the specs in the FBC.

 

Can a building official – or anybody else – point me to the section of code that will educate me on that point, or better yet, just tell me in plain English, what is required?   

 

David Walker

David Walker Building Contractor, LLC

RB0067161
    

 

 

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