STRUCTURAL PEER REVIEW INFORMATION
General Information Rev. 02/26/24
Structural Peer Review:
The purpose of the Structural Peer Review is to provide independent verification that the structural design of the Structure* is in general conformance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code, and all related structural codes and technical standards.
*STRUCTURE: The structural frame and the load supporting parts of floors, roofs, walls, foundations, cladding, cladding framing, stairs, equipment supports, railings and other secondary structural items are included in this definition of “Structure”.
Structural Peer Review is required for:
1) Buildings included in Structural Occupancy Category IV as defined in the Florida Building Code.
2) All residential and commercial buildings greater than 3 stories or greater than 50 feet in height, measured from grade level to the average height of the highest roof surface.
3) Buildings where a Structural Peer Review is specifically requested by the Building Official.
4) Buildings where Light Gage Steel Framing comprise the floor and wall structural elements
Selection of the Reviewing Engineer:
The Structural Peer Review shall be performed by a qualified independent structural engineer who has been retained by, or on behalf of, the Owner of the property. This Reviewing Engineer shall meet specific qualification requirements, including demonstrable experience in the structural design and/or peer review of structures similar in scope and complexity. The Owner of the property shall submit to the Building Official the names of up to three (3) Florida-licensed engineers specializing in structural design.
The final selection will be made by mutual consent; after which, a meeting between the Building Official and the Engineer must be scheduled prior to commencement of the Structural Peer Review.
Extent of the Structural Peer Review:
Scope: The Reviewing Engineer shall review the plans and specifications submitted with the original permit application, and all subsequent revisions thereto. Said review shall be for compliance with the structural and foundation design provisions of the Florida Building Code and all related structural codes and technical standards. The Reviewing Engineer shall perform the following tasks, as a minimum:
1). Confirm that the design loads conform to the applicable codes.
2) Confirm that other structural design criteria and design assumptions conform to the applicable codes
and are in accordance with generally accepted engineering practice.
3) Review geotechnical and other engineering investigations that are related to the foundation and
structural design and confirm that the design properly incorporates the results and recommendations
of the investigations.
4) Confirm that the structure has a complete load path.
5) Perform independent calculations for a representative fraction of the systems, members and details to
check their adequacy. The number of representative systems, members and details verified shall be
sufficient to form a basis for the reviewer’s conclusions.
6) Confirm that the structural integrity provisions of the applicable codes are being followed.
7) Verify that performance-specified structural components (such as certain precast concrete elements)