Advanced Fabricated Building Quiz

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Rather than create and maintain their own codes, most states and local jurisdictions adopt the model building codes maintained by the International Code Council (ICC). In 2000, the three regionally-based model code organizations (BOCA Standard National Code, SBCCI Standard Code, and ICBO Uniform Code) combined together to form the ICC. The ICC family of International Codes includes:

• International Building Code (IBC): applies to all types of new buildings
• International Residential Code (IRC): applies to new one-and two-familydwellings and townhouses of not more than three stories in height
• International Existing Building Code (IEBC): applies to the alteration, repair, orchange in occupancy of existing structures.

The ICC publishes new additions of the International Codes every three years and many states and local jurisdictions have adopted them since the first editions were issued in 2000.

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Figure 1.4 The Great Fire of London in 1666 was the triggering event for the enactment of the first known building codes. (Source: UK Government)

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Interior Wall Coverings

Interior coverings and finishes must be installed as required by the code which outlines the minimum thickness for plaster, gypsum plaster proportions, maximum volume aggregate per volume of cementitious material for Portland cement plaster, and minimum thickness for gypsum drywall. Interior finishes and materials must comply with the flame spread and smoke-development requirements which state that wall and ceiling finishes shall have a flame-spread classification of no greater than 200 and a smoke-developed index of no greater than 450.

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Water distribution systems.

1. Supply piping. Piping systems shall be sized to provide an adequate quantity of water to each plumbing fixture at a flow rate sufficient to keep the fixture in a clean and sanitary condition without any danger of back flow or siphonage. The manufacturer shall include in his written installation instructions that the manufactured home has been designed for an inlet water pressure of 80 psi, and a statement that when the manufactured home is to be installed in areas where the water pressure exceeds 80 psi, a pressure reducing valve should be installed.
2. Hot water supply. Each manufactured home equipped with a kitchen sink, and bathtub and/or shower shall be provided with a hot water supply system including a listed water heater.

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Grounding.

1. General. Grounding of both electrical and nonelectrical metal parts in a manufactured home shall be through connection to a grounding bus in the manufactured home distribution panelboard. The grounding bus shall be grounded through the green-colored conductor in the supply cord or the feeder wiring to the service ground in the service-entrance equipment located adjacent to the manufactured home location. Neither the frame of the manufactured home nor the frame of any appliance shall be connected to the neutral conductor in the manufactured home.

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Florida Building Code Loads

Dead Loads – The weight of materials of construction incorporated into the building, including walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, stairways, finishes, cladding and other architectural or structural items, and the weight of fixed service equipment such as cranes, plumbing stacks and risers, electrical feeders, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems and fire sprinkler systems.

Live Loads – Those loads produced by the use and occupancy of the building or other structure and do not include construction or environmental loads such as wind load, snow load, rain load, earthquake load, flood load or dead load.

Live Loads (Roof) – Those loads produced (1) during maintenance by workers, equipment and materials; and (2) during the life of the structure by movable objects such as planters and by people.

Nominal Loads – The magnitudes of other design loads including soil, wind, snow, rain, flood and earthquake.

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The kitchen, however, though still considered a habitable room, can be a little smaller, but not less than 50 square feet in gross floor area. A habitable room is defined as all rooms used for living, dining, sleeping and cooking purposes. Bathrooms, closets, halls, and utility spaces are not considered habitable rooms.

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U-factor: a measure of the resistance to heat transfer through an assembly. It is roughly the inverse of the R-value, meaning that the lower the U-value, the higher the resistance to heatflow. This is just the opposite of the R-value because the higher the R-value the greater the resistance to heat flow.

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Solar water heating systems

Solar systems for domestic hot water production are rated by the annual solar energy factor of the system. The solar energy factor of a system shall be determined from the Florida Solar Energy Center Directory of Certified Solar Systems. Collectors in installed solar water heating systems should meet the following criteria:

1. Be installed with a tilt angle between 10 degrees and 40 degrees of the horizontal; and
2. Be installed at an orientation within 45 degrees of true south.

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Wood flooring is a natural and classy style flooring that can satisfy aesthetic desires in the home decoration and be compatible with traditional or modern home style. Wood floors are very durable. They are available in many species with various color, grain, and physical characteristics. There are more than 50 domestic and imported species of wood flooring available. The cut angle of the wood determines how the finished product looks. The four common cut angle include plainsawn, quartersawn, riftsawn or livesawn. Plainsawn is the most common cut. Other cuts are more expensive and provide different grain looks.

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The paints are grouped in two types of water-based and oil-based paints. In the water-based paints, also known as latex paints, the vehicle is an emulsion of water and suitable resins. In the oil-based paints, or alkyd paints, a natural or synthetic (alkyd) oil resins is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent. Some water-based paints have small amount of solvent in the vehicle. Water-based paints are easy to apply, have little odor, are easily removed with water, dry quickly, have good resistance against cracks, and do not lose color over time. However, oil-based paints have an attractive gloss, create a smooth finish, tolerate poor surface preparation, perform well at lower temperatures, and have a more durable finish.

Nowadays, there is a strong shift away from oil-based paints in the industry because of the potential environmental and health problems caused by toxic substances in oil-paints. The reason is to eliminate or reduce the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and lead. Most paint solvents are VOCs which evaporate after paint application. VOCs evaporation forms a chemical reaction with nitrous oxides and sunlight to form ozone and air pollutants. Besides, VOCs have negative impact on indoor air quality of the buildings. As a result, there are many restrictive VOCs legislations, and paint manufacturers are aiming to reduce or eliminate the amount of VOCs solvents in their products.

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Purpose:
To determine the effectiveness of electrical components insulation. The dielectric test verifies the integrity of all branch circuits.

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The highest efficiency for panelized building manufacturing is achieved when the maximum amount of work is completed in the factory, with the least waste, in the shortest time. In addition to the studs, headers, and plywood or OSB sheathing, it is possible to install doors, windows, siding, trim, and other finish elements in the factory. However, this creates a heavier and fragile panel which could increase costs and the complexity of transportation.

The process differs from the traditional site-built method because the wall panels are fabricated under controlled environmental conditions, providing higher precision and quality. The site-built method is more labor intensive and more susceptible to errors compared to panelized buildings.

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Special attention is required for SIP installation. The main advantage of SIP panels is the airtight envelope they create, therefore, the panels must be carefully placed together. 

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• Steel manufacturing is a highly efficient offsite building system.
• Steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is light and strong.
• Steel framing can be used on difficult building sites.
• Steel framing is perfect for long spans, long cantilevers, and large openings.
• It is a perfect solution for flood plain zones because it can be elevated on stilts above water level.
• It is impervious to termites.
• It is a low-maintenance material, especially compared to wood.
• It is flexible for creating curved shapes and forms.

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Precast compared to onsite poured concrete has better quality, higher production control and monitoring. It is environmentally friendly because the form work is meant for multiple use and saves valuable production time.

• Precast concrete is usually less costly than onsite concrete casting.

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• A roof truss system allows a light weight roof system and trusses can be designed for any shape imaginable.
• Ceiling styles such as cathedral ceilings are less expensive using trusses.
• A truss system allows a much longer span without the need for load bearing interior walls.
• Manufactured trusses are designed by engineers to meet building codes, enabling more uniform and accurate design.
• Manufacturing inside a controlled factory setting ensures that the materials are not exposed to weather and moisture conditions. Thus a better quality product can be achieved.
• Delivered in bulk on site, trusses can be installed in a single day, speeding the process of construction.
• Trusses are cheaper due to bulk manufacturing, and less waste.