Building Code Questions - Titan Post Anchor

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Will the 4x4 Titan Post Anchor work with the Building Code?

Yes! In September 2011 the 4x4 post anchor passed the rigorous US residential building code testing procedures for wood guard rails. This is better known as the AC273 testing program and was conducted by Intertek.

Prior to this final phase of testing, we had completed many tests on single free standing 42" posts and anchors to build a large reliable body of data on the isolated performance of the anchor, fasteners and posts.

So this is a big threshold for us - and great news for you - You will soon be able to download the report and present this to your local inspector for ultimate convenience.

Thank you so much for your patience. The wait was worth it.

Reading the following questions and answers will help you understand this issue better.

Is the post anchor "approved" by the building code?
What does "approved" mean?
When will the post anchor be "approved" and until then does it meet the building code?
Has the 4x4 Titan Post Anchor been tested by an independent lab?
Why did you start with testing single unsupported posts?
How did you set up the single post test and the rail assembly test?
What were the results of the test?
Can I see the test report?
Can I build a wood railing system with the post anchor that will meet the building code?
How high does a guard rail have to be?
How much lateral force along the top rail must a guard rail system withstand?
What is a guard rail as opposed to just a railing?
How does post spacing affect the strength of a railing?
Can I connect the post anchor directly to deck boards?

Is the post anchor "approved" by the building code?

In early September the 4x4 post anchor was tested against the US residential code standards and passed all milestones handily.

For those who care this means the anchor was tested against testing regime AC273. These reports are being finalized and will be available in the near future. But first a couple words on the term "approved".

Once a product passes the approved tests, all the data and the integrity of the testing firm are reviewed by the International Code Council (ICC) and only the ICC can issue their own "approval".

So there are two potential steps.

Passing AC273 tests conducted by a world renowned engineering testing is the first most important step. You have to actually pass the tests. The firm then writes up all the details of the test into a report which can be shared with any other engineers, architects and inspectors and be accepted as independent proof of acceptability.

The second step, which is not essential to show building code compliance but which is rather like "icing on the cake" is to submit these reports and your factory information, material sources and specifications and more to the ICC.

The ICC is the body that "approves" any submission. But it is conceivable that a submission may not be accepted because of any unforeseen technicality such as proving the samples tested came from the factory purported to have made the item. This would be a pretty rare situation but the point is a product can pass all testing and be fully code compliant but not necessarily "approved". Only the ICC issues their proprietary seal of "approval".

But receiving this "approval" is the gold standard and we will be submitting all results to the ICC for their oversight and ofcourse hope all will go well.

What does "approved" mean?

There are two organizations in the US and Canada that building product companies can submit their product to, if they choose, and ask them to conduct specific tests on the product when it is used in very specific ways.

These organizations provide their opinion on whether a construction product or system complies with the requirements of the building codes either as an acceptable solution or an alternative solution or a combination of both. Acceptable solutions are those that comply with the code's applicable requirements.

The biggest organization is the International Code Council (ICC) in the US and the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) in Canada.

So there are two potential steps.

Passing the AC273 test regime for wood guard rails must be conducted by a world renowned engineering testing for the first most important step. You have to actually pass the tests. The firm then writes up all the details of the test into a report which can be shared with any other engineers, architects and inspectors and be accepted as independent proof of acceptability.

But receiving this "approval" is the gold standard and we will be submitting all results to the ICC for their oversight and ofcourse hope all will go well.

When will the post anchor be "approved" and until then does it meet the building code?

We have successfully passed the rigorous testing procedures for the US residential code compliance and our engineering firm is now completing the reports. These reports will then be submitted to the ICC for their review and hopeful subsequent "approval".

But the testing is valid for showing compliance with the International Residential Code (IRC) regardless of the outcome with the ICC. The testing procedures tested our product to a minimum of 2.5X above the building code. So we will have these reports completed and loaded on to the site for you to download a copy and present to your local authority as needed. Look for this in the coming weeks.

Keep in mind, our testing also sets out how the product must be used in order to remain code compliant. For example, it gives direction on maximum post spacing.

Has the 4x4 Titan Post Anchor been tested by an independent lab?

Yes. We have hired Intertek, a engineering firm steeped in experience in these matters to determine what kind of loads the post anchor can handle using a 42" unsupported post.

Our first series of tests in January 2010 were designed to isolate the strength of the 6x6 and 4x4 post anchors when used with 42" unsupported pressure treated pine posts. Tests were administered on three samples of each combination. The 6x6 anchor and post rated an average load before failure of 503 lbs and the 4x4 rated and average of 337 lbs. The 4x4 anchor with Power Bolt averaged 425 lbs and the 6x6 Titan Max averaged 641 lbs.

We have now successfully completed the second phase of testing which is two post and rail assemblies (36"x72").

Why did you start with testing single unsupported posts?

There are many different ways in which wood railings and combinations of wood and other component materials such as iron, aluminum, vinyl and fiberglass can be used together to create a railing system. Each test is expensive to conduct and the test result speaks only to that specific combination of materials and configuration.

Our engineers recommended starting any tests first by focusing on the product. We wanted to know with as much confidence as possible how the specific component (the post anchor and resulting wood post connection) would perform when isolated outside of a railing system. This would allow us to understand the characteristics of this single part of a wood railing system and allow users to reasonably extrapolate or determine how a railing system using it would perform.

The post anchor is but one element of many others which in combination work to create a railing system that may, depending on the elevation of the deck be subject to the building code standards.

After gathering all the test data it will be possible to construct a table showing the various load ratings in certain situations which will be useful to the greatest number of people.

How did you set up the single post test and the rail assembly test?

They administered a horizontal load at 42" high on a 4x4 and 6x6 post connected to a fixed point at the base and measured the force required to pull out the bolts from the post and develop a crack in the wood.

This was not a test for a railing system but rather a test to isolate the performance of the post and anchor working together outside of a railing.

The Acceptance Criteria of Handrails and Guards - AC273/ASTM D 7032 sets out the procedures for railing systems and components of railing systems.

The key tests applied to a rail assembly using the post anchor component were mid span and end span concentrated load tests.

A 200 lbs load at midspan of the top rail was delivered; deflection measured and then the load was increased to 500 lbs and held for at least 1 minute.

Then a 200 load at the top rail above the end post was delivered; deflection measured and then the load was increased to 500 lbs and held for at least 1 minute. For our own data we then increased the load to find out the maximum load the end post would sustain before failure.

What were the results of the test?

A single unsupported 42" 6x6 wood post required an average of 503 lbs to cause failure in the post. For a 4x4 42" post an average load of 336 lbs was required to cause failure. Three samples are tested. The test results for the 6x6 ranged from 560 lbs, 450 lbs to 510 lbs. For the 4x4 the test results ranged from 400 lbs, 300 lbs and 310 lbs.

On the rail assemblies deflection at 200 lbs at midspan were about 1/2". Deflection at 200 lbs at the top rail above the end post were just under 1". Maximum loads on the end post were averaging around 600 lbs.

Can I see the test report?

Yes. Contact us and we will send you a copy of a summary of single post results and very soon a copy of the AC273 testing compliance which you will be able to show local inspectors..

Can I build a wood railing system with the post anchor that will meet the building code?

Yes. Based on our AC273 testing compliance this can easily be done. We recommend 4x4 posts be spaced at a maximum of 6' on center.

We also have post braces for situations where you wish to have a single 42" post hold as much as 640 lbs.

How high does a guard rail have to be?

Guard rails must be at least 36" high if the surface is 30" above grade (60 cm in Canada). In some other instances they must be 42" high. Any railing that is less than 30" above grade does not have to meet the guard rail standards in the US residential building code.

California changed their building code so that any guard rail 30" or more above grade must be 42" high. This is the only state that prohibits 36" railings.

You should obtain a copy of your applicable building code to ensure that these stipulations above are still valid as codes to change from time to time.

How much lateral force along the top rail must a guard rail system withstand?

A guard rail system must withstand a 200 lbf concentrated load at any point along the top rail. This value is 225 lbs in Canada as they use a metric value (1.0KN). Safety factors are also applied in different jurisdictions and can range from 1.5 to 2.5 for testing purposes. A 42" high railing will experience greater leverage than a 36" high railing.

A guard rail system must also withstand a uniform load of 50 plf (125 plf if you apply a 2.5x safety factor) applied vertically and horizontally along the top rail. You should consult your local building authority or engineer if you any doubt about your particular railing in question.

What is a guard rail as opposed to just a railing?

All guard rails are railing systems but not all railing systems are guard rails. To be a guard rail the railing system must be used in situations where the deck surface is 30" or more above grade and must meet the minimum requirements as stated in the building code.

How does post spacing affect the strength of a railing?

When force is exerted against a railing it is distributed to the various components of the railing system; the posts, the balusters and railing sections, the top and bottom rails and the deck surface and joist structure below.

A railing system is made up of a plurality of posts and railing sections connected between each post. Each post shares a percentage of the load against the railing system. The more posts over a specific distance and the more rigid the railing sections between the posts, the less force each post absorbs and thus the stronger the railing system.

The stronger a single post is in its overall role and function within a railing system, the farther apart these posts can be spaced and still provide a certain degree of lateral resistance. If weaker posts are used, they may be spaced closer together in order to increase the resultant strength of the railing system and thus potentially still meet the minimum code requirements.

Can I connect the post anchor directly to deck boards?

Yes. However the post to deck connection is only as strong as the deck boards. Blocking should be placed under the deck boards so the fasteners have more material to connect to.

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