Third Party Verification Claim

550 Cleveland Avenue North | Saint Paul, MN 55114
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CONSULTANTS
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· MATERIALS
· FORENSICS
February 1, 2021
Mr. John Ruprecht
Clear View Glass Railings
737 Quentin Avenue South
Lakeville, MN 55043
Re: Florida Wind Load Requirements for Wind-Borne Debris Regions, and Considerations for
“Hercules” Glass Guardrail Panel
AET Project #: 05-20608
Dear Mr. Ruprecht,
This letter reports the findings of our review of the Florida Building Code (FBC) wind requirements for
Wind-Borne Regions, as defined by the FBC. We compare these requirements to the published and
tested strength of the Hercules Glass Guardrail Panel, model CVGR 1001 FWP, and provide
conclusions regarding panel design requirements to meet specific portions of the FBC code.
Panel Construction
The Florida Building Code (FBC) Section 2407 addresses glass used in handrails and guards; it
specifies materials, loads, support conditions and wind-borne debris regions. According to the FBC and
in compliance with Category II of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Class A of
ANSI Z97.1, glass used in guardrails must be laminated glass constructed of fully tempered or heat
strengthened glass and tested for its water penetration resistance, wind loading, impact, durability,
thermal properties, and mechanical performance. It is our understanding that the panel is laminated and
fully tempered.
Panel Support
FBC Section 2407.1.2 requires that all panels “shall be supported by a minimum of three glass balusters
or shall be otherwise supported to remain in place should one baluster panel fail”. We interpret this to
mean that the panels will require three spigot supports. The Hercules Glass Guardrail Panel is available
with three spigots, where required by Florida Building Code.
FBC Section 2407.1.2 also includes an exception that states, “A top rail shall not be required where the
glass balusters are laminated glass with two or more glass plies of equal thickness and the same glass
type when approved by the building official”. We understand the panel meets this exception; therefore,
a top rail is not required.
Attachment 6