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Department of Safety and Professional Services
Department of Safety and Professional Services
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S&B Building Product Evaluation Program An S&B building product evaluation is a technical evaluation governing the use of specific construction materials, equipment, or devices in Wisconsin. The program excludes plumbing products, and petroleum equipment which have separate evaluation programs. Each evaluation describes the material, equipment or device; documents a product's performance as shown by supporting data; and defines any limitations on its use in Wisconsin. The Building Product Evaluation certifies that the material, equipment, or device complies with the intent of the Department of Safety and Professional Services codes. Products are currently evaluated under the following codes: * Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), Comm 20-25, applicable to one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980. * Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, Comm 61-65 effective July 1, 2002, which applies to commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings You may view or download these state codes and amendments by going to the S&B website, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivCodesListing.html. Information on obtaining the Commercial Building Code is here. Is a building product evaluation required for all products? The Uniform Dwelling Code includes requirements for several product types to obtain a product approval. For other products under the UDC and for other codes, it is not mandatory for a manufacturer to obtain abuilding product evaluation. It is mandatory for all products to comply with Commerce codes. Data substantiating compliance must be provided with the planreview materials for each project that uses the material or product, or, alternatively, the building product evaluation number and name of the material or product and manufacturer may be provided. Note that approvals by national approval organizations such as NES, ICBO, ICC, etc., would be generally accepted by Wisconsin code officials, unless the applicable code sections have been amended by our state. Who uses the building product evaluation? Each building product evaluation is available on the S&B WebSite, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-CommercialBuildingsXProductE.html. The evaluations are intended to aid inspectors and plan reviewers in the material evaluation and acceptance process. The evaluations have also been used by the construction industry as an objective measure of product performance. How long is a building product evaluation valid? Each Bbuilding product evaluation is valid for a five-year period or when the applicable code provisions change, whichever is less. Note that S&B will generally not be informing manufacturers of code changes. Evaluations may be re-examined during the five-year period, if deemed necessary by the division. Revisions to the building product evaluation must be made when a manufacturing modification is made to a product, or when changes are made in laboratory testing procedures or standards. How is a building product evaluation identified? When an evaluation is finalized, an evaluation number is assigned, and the evaluation document is signed, dated, printed, and distributed. What supporting data is necessary to obtain a building product evaluation? Requests for evaluations for building products must be accompanied by evidence that shows the material, equipment, or device for which the evaluation is requested performs in a manner equal to or superior to the material, equipment, or device required by the code. The division may require a test to be performed to determine the suitability of the material for the intended use, usually in accordance with a nationally recognized standard. If no nationally recognized standard exists, past performance or a recognized engineering analysis may be used to determine suitability. Tests must be conducted by an objective, competent, independent testing laboratory. The methods of sample selection must be described and shown to be objective. A detailed description of the test samples must be provided. Required engineering calculations must be performed in accordance with accepted engineering practice by a Wisconsin registered architect or professional engineer familiar with the product. The Wisconsin Buildings Product Review Application, SBD-8028, is linked in several formats from the division's WebSite Forms page, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivForms.html. How long does it take to complete a building product evaluation? Initial response to a building product evaluation request is required by the code to be within 40 working days. Final evaluation time depends upon the response time of the manufacturer, if additional information, test data, or clarifications are requested. Who may apply for a building product evaluation? Any manufacturer or distributor of materials, equipment, or devices, may apply for a building product evaluation. How is an application for a building product evaluation made? An application for a Wisconsin Building Product Evaluation must include the following: 1.A completed building product evaluation application (form SBD-8028, or its equivalent), including a detailed description of the material and its use. See S&B forms page. 2. Supporting data such as test results, calculations or other relevant factual data to verify code compliance or qualification of the testing lab. 3. The required fee. What are the types of evaluations and what is the cost of each? The types of evaluations and the application fees are as follows: - Voluntary/Regular Evaluation. For materials, equipment and products which comply with the standards specified in this code. Processing application and completing a new evaluation $1000 Renewal with no changes $750 Renewal with changes $1000 Manufacturer's request for a minor revision1 (No extension of evaluation period) $200 Manufacturer's request for a major revision2 $1000 (For a new five-year period) - Alternate Product Evaluation. For materials, equipment and products which meet the intent of the standards specified in this code. Processing application and completing a new evaluation $1000 Renewal with no changes $750 Renewal with changes $1000 Manufacturer's request for a minor revision1 (No extension of evaluation period) $200 Manufacturer's request for a major revision2 $1000 (For a new five-year period) - Experimental Evaluation. For an experimental material, equipment or product to prove compliance with the intent of this code. Processing application and completing a new evaluation $2000 Renewal with no changes $1500 Renewal with changes $2000 Manufacturer's request for a minor revision1 (No extension of evaluation period) $200 Manufacturer's request for a major revision2 $2000 (For a new five-year period) - Alternate Standard Evaluation. For alternate standards that are equivalent to or more strigent than the standards referenced in the code. Processing application and completing a new evaluation $1200 Renewal with no changes NA Renewal with changes NA Manufacturer's request for a minor revision1 (No extension of evaluation period) NA Manufacturer's request for a major revision2 NA (For a new five-year period) 1 A minor revision is a change that does not entail an extended technical review. Minor revisions include such things as a product name change, a model number change, or an address change. 2 A major revision is any change in a current evaluation that entails reviewing additional test reports, data or calculations. An example of a major revision would be the addition of new products or new model numbers to an existing evaluation or review under a new code. Links -- County Web sites || City/Town/Village Web sites || State Portal || Licensing and Permitting || Build Your Business Email this page's manager, Todd Taylor, Todd.Taylor@Wisconsin.gov or 608-267-3606 The Department of Safety and Professional Services Safety and Buildings Division is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. If you need assistance to access services or need material in an alternate format, please contact us, 608-266-3151, TTY 608-264-8777, or Todd.Taylor@Wisconsin.gov |