Special Construction

181

Long Span

Building constructed with steel frame and metal siding and roof of wood or other combustible material. Typically gymnasiums or auditoriums.

182

Semi-Wind Resistive

Not currently valid for U.S. Earthquake model.

A building for which a licensed engineer does not design the structure, but an attempt is made to build in accordance with an accepted wind building code; code compliance is not assured. Some engineering input may have occurred. Most of the details in a wind resistive structure are found in a semi-wind resistive structure, but not all components are wind resistive.

183

Wind Resistive

Not currently valid for U.S. Earthquake model.

A structure that was designed by a licensed engineer to comply with the wind code. Characterized by the presence of properly sized wind-resistant connectors, adequate bracing, and a continuous load path from the roof to the foundation (i.e., the roof is tied to the walls, the floors are attached to each other, and the walls are tied to the foundation).

185

Unknown Glass

Use this construction code for the U.S. Hurricane Plate Glass Module when the type of glass is unknown.

This construction type is valid only for the Plate Glass Module of the U.S. Hurricane model and for Central America. Use only in conjunction with occupancy code 306 or 311.

186

Safety Glass

Safety glass includes fully tempered and laminated glass. Fully tempered glass is created by heating common annealed glass uniformly to make a high-strengthened glass. Laminated glass is made by sandwiching a plastic sheet between two glass panels, which prevents shattering and helps maintains the integrity of the building envelop even after its breakage.

This construction type is valid only for the Plate Glass Module of the U.S. Hurricane model and for Central America. Use only in conjunction with occupancy code 306 or 311.

187

Impact Resistance Glass

Impact-resistant glass similar to laminated glass (as described above), which has been tested to resist breakage from flying debris during hurricanes. Impact-resistant glass is typically thicker than safety glass and is packaged as a unit that includes a special frame.

This construction type is valid only for the Plate Glass Module of the U.S. Hurricane model and for Central America. Use only in conjunction with occupancy code 306 or 311.