There are various Product Testing Requirements to obtain a Miami Dade NOA.
Here are the rules as compiled by Miami Dade Product Control:
- For Soffits: They do not have to pass the impact test.
- The air infiltration tests [for building envelope products] have to be performed before the water infiltration test.
- The structural load test for products that are required to be mounted on CBS block, can be performed on a wooden buck when the product is impact resistant. Else, it needs to be tested on CBS. [buck type and size to be determined & approved by Miami Dade prior to testing].
- In lieu of testing all the applicable cases (of variations in size and mounting locations), a comparative analysis may be allowed, provided three specimens are tested to positive failure and three specimens are tested to negative failure. [specific protocols can be presented & approved by Miami Dade for alternating substrates in a single test specimen].
- From the 3 tests performed, in the direction which proves weakest, curves are derived.
- If the ultimate load for any of the three specimens tested varies more than 20% from the average, three additional tests shall be made and all tests considered in determining the average ultimate load.
- An average of the three curves is then taken. Two points on the curve are chosen, for which two additional specimens are to be tested in order to prove these points. The results from these last two tests are to be within the 20% margin previously mentioned in order to accept the comparative analysis for that product. This procedure applies only to shutters.
- All [cladding] products tested under the fatigue loading sequence do not have to have a recovery of at least 90%.
- The 2-mil polyethylene be not be substituted for a thicker one — 2-mil polyethylene film must be used all of the time. You may “only” use 4 mil when [test] pressures exceed 150 psf.
- When testing the 3 required specimens and a failure occurs in the last specimen, you do not have to re-test 3 new specimens. An additional 4th specimen in the same conditions as the one that failed is allowed. If the specimen failed in impact, the 4th specimen tested must be exactly the same & the impact locations are in the same locations as the one that failed.
- If the 4th fails, a 5th specimen will only be allowed if the specimen is changed (for example, the anchoring spacing, the mounting for that condition, or extrusion for that particular mount). As a result, if the product fails on a mounting condition and all of the mountings are the same, [the applicant is] allowed only a 4th specimen.
- If [the applicant] has different mountings and one fails, it can be re-tested with a fourth specimen, and then a fifth if that mount is changed or modified.
- For glazed products failing in the glazed section, a fourth specimen is all that will be allowed; if you change the glass a new set of three would have to be tested.
- Three specimens are required to pass.
- Unsupported (free jambs) vertical members must comply with FBC section 1613.1 (5) for deflection requirements and must not exceed the allowable stress for the type of material used.
- The maximum end gap allowed between unsupported jamb and substrate cannot be specified as unlimited. The end gap must be limited either as tested or by the sealant (caulking) manufacturer’s joint performance capabilities and recommendations. Design consideration must also be given to weathering, waterproofing, fire propagation, material expansion, compatibility, working joints & sealant performance.
This information was taken from the Miami Dade Product Control Page. Information in [] was added by the post administrator for clarity.
