Section 1709: Preconstruction Load Tests

2018 Philadelphia Building Code (Chapter 17: Special Inspections and Tests)

💡 Special Inspector's Commentary

While Section 1708 deals with testing existing structures, Section 1709 is all about verifying materials and assemblies before they are built into the project. This most commonly applies to complex exterior envelope elements like custom curtain walls, skylights, and specialized door assemblies where standard structural math cannot easily prove they will withstand Philadelphia's wind loads.

As a licensed Philadelphia Structural Engineer, Viking Engineers can review the preconstruction test data, physical mock-ups, and manufacturer documentation to ensure these assemblies meet the strict performance standards required by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) before installation begins.

1709.1 General

Where interaction of elements is such that a structural analysis cannot be shown to meet the requirements of this code, or where the structural properties of the material are unknown, or where the structural behavior of an assembly is unknown, and the building official requires it, the load-bearing capacity of the building, structure, or portion thereof shall be determined by a preconstruction load test.

1709.2 Load Test Procedure Specified

Where a referenced material standard contains an applicable load test procedure and acceptance criteria, the test procedure and acceptance criteria in the standard shall apply. In the absence of specific load factors or acceptance criteria, the load factors and acceptance criteria in Section 1709.3 shall apply.

1709.3 Load Test Procedure Not Specified

Where load test procedures are not specified in the applicable material standards referenced by this code, the load-bearing capacity of structural components and assemblies shall be determined on the basis of load tests conducted in accordance with Section 1709.3.1 or 1709.3.2.

1709.4 Wall and Partition Assemblies

Load-bearing wall and partition assemblies shall sustain the test load both with and without window framing.

1709.5 Exterior Window and Door Assemblies

The design wind pressure assumed for the design of exterior window and door assemblies shall be determined in accordance with Section 1609.

1709.5.1 Exterior Windows and Doors

Exterior windows and glass doors shall be tested and labeled as conforming to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440. The label shall state the name of the manufacturer, the approved agency, the product designation and the performance grade of the unit.

1709.5.2 Exterior Windows and Door Assemblies Not Provided for in Section 1709.5.1

Exterior window and door assemblies shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E330. Structural performance of garage doors and rolling doors shall be determined in accordance with either ASTM E283, ANSI/DASMA 108, or other approved test methods.

1709.6 Skylights and Sloped Glazing

Skylights and sloped glazing shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 24. Skylights shall be tested and labeled as conforming to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440. The label shall state the name of the manufacturer, the approved agency, the product designation and the performance grade of the unit.

1709.7 Test Specimens

Test specimens and construction shall be representative of the materials, workmanship and details normally used in practice. The properties of the materials used to construct the test assembly shall be determined on the basis of tests on samples taken from the load assembly or on representative samples of the materials used to construct the load test assembly. Required tests shall be conducted or witnessed by an approved agency.

🏙️ Regional Code Variations: New York City Additions

While the Philadelphia Building Code adheres closely to the base IBC 2018 for Section 1709, neighboring jurisdictions like New York City (NYC BC) have amended this section to include highly explicit mathematical load testing procedures for assemblies lacking specified standards.

Key differences in the NY Building Code include:

Strict Deflection & Recovery Limits (1709.3.1): NY dictates that an assembly must be loaded to 2x the design load for 24 hours. To pass, it must recover 75% of its maximum deflection within 24 hours of load removal.
Failure Load Multipliers: NY requires testing to continue until failure, establishing the allowable superimposed design load as either the deflection limit load, the failure load divided by 2.5, or the maximum applied load divided by 2.5.
Exterior Window Testing (1709.5.2): For windows and doors not covered under standard AAMA certifications, NY specifically requires testing for 10 seconds at a load equal to 1.5 times the design pressure.
Small Window Engineering Analysis: NY allows an exception where smaller window units can be approved for higher design pressures than their larger, physically tested counterparts, provided the higher capacity is validated by accepted structural engineering analysis.

Note: These NY provisions are provided for comparative engineering reference. Philadelphia projects must adhere to the local L&I interpretations of the IBC.