During an engineering assessment it is often helpful to the engineer to perform a Horizontal Surface Survey of a floor, roof, or other structural component(s).  The purpose of the Horizontal surface survey is to determine the horizontal alignment of one point relative to another.  This often results in the production of a topographic plan or layout of the surface under investigation.  Horizontal Surface Surveys are often conducted by use of a calibrated “gas level” of water filled manometer.  Optical surveying equipment can also be used, however line of site is required for this method.
 
After completion of the Horizontal Surface Survey, the results of the survey must then be compared with the appropriate industry standard.  For example, cast-in-place concrete construction utilizes ACI 117-90, which is the American Concrete Institute Standard Specification for Tolerances for Concrete Construction and Materials.  This document provides multiple standards for surface elevation tolerance of concrete components, including slabs on grade.  This document is incorporated by reference into the Florida Building Code and the International Building Code.  Similar standards exist for construction tolerances in wood, masonry, and pre-cast concrete construction components.
 
Horizontal surface surveys are used in a variety of applications.  One example is to map the relative topography of a floor system to determine if one portion of the floor (whether concrete, wood, or other material) has displaced relative to other portions of the floor system.  Horizontal Surface Surveys are used to identify magnitude and direction of slope(s) providing drainage on roofs, balconies, or other exposed areas.  A third use of the Horizontal Surface Survey is to evaluate the topography of a ceiling to determine alignment of ceiling framing components.

If you have questions about this issue, we're here to help. Contact Timothy Roda at troda@brackenengineering.com.

Florida Building Code Notice: 2009 Supplement to the 2007 Florida Building Code
Author: Gary Pailthorp, PE, CBO - Senior Project Engineer

The 2007 Florida Building Code is now in effect. Along with it, the 2009 supplement also went into effect.  The replacement pages (2009 Supplement) for the code books will not be available from ICC until July, so until then you will have to work from the legislative format which can be viewed here.

In effect the code book was out of date at the time of its adoption.
The transition to the 2007 Florida Building Code has been a long time coming and so, there are very few changes that haven’t already been discussed. 

For some of us, one of the more exciting changes will be the adoption of the 2007 Florida Existing Building Code.  Not so much the code itself, which reads pretty much the same as the 2004 Existing Building Code, but the fact that there is a Commentary to the 2007 Florida Existing Building Code which is available from ICC. This document was developed in a joint effort by the Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF), the American Institute of Architecture, Florida (AIA Florida), the International Codes Council (ICC), and the Florida Department of Community Affairs (Florida, DCA) and while the Commentary is not a “Code Book” it does contain the best available information on the intent and interpretation of the various code provisions.  This publication should help us all by establishing a common reference to assist in determining the scope of any code up-grades required as a result of performing repairs and/or alterations to existing buildings.

If you are affected by these changes and have questions about the impact, we're here to help. Contact Gary Pailthorp at gpailthorp@brackenengineering.com.

Partner Profile: IRP - Florida
Author: Eric Gardner - Operations Manager

IRP is a building community portal created to provide building departments, design professionals, builders, restoration professionals and insurance industry professionals the simplicity of using one website to post and retrieve information on all aspects of the Construction and Reconstruction Industry.

IRP contains one of the largest collections of historical Florida and Southern Building Codes on the web today.  Our codes date back to the 1970s and are available for viewing and/or downloading in PDF format.  Also contained within the IRP website is a database containing the building department information for all of the municipalities in the State of Florida.  These two great features are available online at www.irp-fl.com.

IRP-FLORIDA was created because after the storm seasons of 2004 and 2005, requests grew for routine building code information pertaining to the various municipalities throughout Florida.  The problem of finding accurate and current applications of code sometimes took more effort than time allowed.  With the most current and accurate information possible at your finger tips, IRP will help you to produce a more accurate and better quality product. 

If you have questions about this organization contact Eric Gardner at egardner@irp-fl.com.

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