REPORT FROM NEW ORLEANS NEW LABELING REQUIREMENTS AND MORE
The IHPA meeting and the Hurricane Protection University seminars held August 7 in New Orleans, LA, proved to be all that was promised and then some. It was an information packed day and participant feedback was hugely positive. Many thanks to the speakers: Randy Noel, Dave Olmstead, Darius Grimes and the Experts Panel for their informative presentations.

The facilities of the Royal Sonesta proved to be ideal for this event. Many thanks to Kerri Caldwell, publisher, Hurricane Protection magazine for HP University for her many hours of work contributing to the success of this event.

Labeling: One of the subjects discussed during the presentation of Dave Olmstead, PGT Industries and IHPA Director, was the new FBC labeling requirements. Details below:

• Effective December 31, 2008

• 1714.8 Impact-resistant coverings.

• 1714.8.1 Labels. A permanent label shall be provided by the product approval holder on all impact-resistant coverings.

• 1714.8.2 The following information shall be included on the labels on impact-resistant coverings:

1. Product approval holder name and address.

2. All applicable methods of approval. Methods of approval include, but are not limited to, Miami-Dade NOA; Florida Building Commission, TDI Product Evaluation; ICC-ES.

3. The test standard or standards specified at Section 1609.1.2, including standards referenced within the test standards specified at Section 1609.1.2 used to demonstrate code compliance.

4. For products with a Florida Product Approval: Number or a Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office Notice of Acceptance Number (NOA), such numbers shall be included on the label.

• 1714.8.3 Location of label. The location of the label on the impact-resistant covering shall be as follows:

1. Accordions: Bottom of the locking bar or center mate facing the exterior or outside.

2. Rollup: On the bottom of the hood facing the exterior or outside or on the bottom slat facing the exterior or outside.

3. Bahama Awning or Colonial Hinged: On the bottom, placed on the back of the shutter.

4. Panels: For metal and plastic panels the label may be embossed or printed, spaced not more than every three (3) lineal feet on each panel. The label shall be applied by the holder of the product approval and shall face the exterior or outside.

5. Framed products: The label shall be on the side or bottom facing the exterior or outside.

6. Labels on all other products shall face the exterior or outside.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the new labeling requirements, please feel free to contact Dave Olmstead: 941-737-2063; fax: 941-486-8369; or e-mail: dolmstead@pgtindustries.com.

Web Site Link: During his presentation on the evolving codes of Louisiana, Randy Noel, chair, Louisiana Code Council, shared the Web site address for the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council: www.dps.louisiana.gov/lsuccc.

BUSY SUMMER FOR IHPA, HURRICANE PROTECTION MAGAZINE

IHPA and Hurricane Protection magazine hit the trade show circuit this summer.

The 56th annual Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF) in Naples, FL, June 9 and 10 was the first stop. More than 500 building officials, plans examiners, inspectors, contractors and designers attended the conference with more than 50 exhibiting companies.

The next stop was the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC), July 31 to August 2 in which the IHPA and Hurricane Protection magazine exhibited in Hurricane Alley at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Hurricane Alley featured building products and services devoted to the hurricane protection industry.

The show producers reported attendance was down 30 percent from 2007. Many factors contributed to the reduction in attendance: staff reductions, unsold houses and delayed developments. However, even with the decline in attendance the IHPA and HP booth stayed busy. Hurricane Protection magazine held a drawing for a Tom Tom automotive GPS system in which Ken Nagel from EVO Construction, Inc. won out of the 275 names collected.

The IHPA would like to thank the following members for assisting at the booth over the course of the three-day show: Bill Feeley, Eastern Metal Supply; Scott Kuntz, Transparent Protection Systems; Tom Johnston,Town & Country Industries; and Bill Spindel, Windshutters.

The 2009 SEBC show will take place July 30 to August 1 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.