FIRST, WHAT IS A TER?
TER’s or Technical Evaluation Reports are evaluations of a product’s performance. They are not intended to approve products for a specific application, but rather provide limiting values based on installation options for a design professional to use in their site-specific application.
SO WHAT DOESN’T A TER DO?
TER’s don’t provide the full assembly or installation of a product and are used in conjunction with manufacturer specifications, building plans, and other limitations of specified components (such as anchor installation requirements).
TER’s also don’t have information about the installation at a given address. That’s up to someone to interpret the information on the TER for use at a specific location. Engineering Express can also do that, but that’s outside the limits of published TER’s.
TER’s also don’t have universal approval when published like a Miami NOA or Florida Approval does. Each document must be signed and sealed by the evaluating engineer to be valid for use per the building code(s) to which they refer to. This mechanism helps limit the misrepresentation of the information contained in the report.
TER’s are also intended to be performance evaluations, not certifications to wind speeds and exposures for a specific location..
SEE SO MUCH MORE ON THIS TOPIC BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW.
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE
Think of a TER as the approval rating for a ladder, like ‘300lb limit’. no matter where that ladder goes on earth it is subject to break above 300lb (with a reasonable safety factor). The ladder rating doesn’t state the names of people or types of industries it’s approved for, that’s up to the end-user. This is just like these evaluation reports which state a wind pressure performance limit and not the cities, houses, or types of structures they can be used with.
Engineering Express provides hundreds of TER’s and Master Plans in our Online Plan Store.
We typically design these for the manufacturers so their installers can quickly and easily obtain sealed copies to obtain their building permit.
Contact your local building official BEFORE ordering any engineering to determine what exactly is needed for permit. We can assist in providing documentation to building officials to substantiate our reports.
Manufacturers: Contact Us to discuss your need.
ADDITIONAL TOPICS IN OUR KNOWLEDGE BASE ON THIS SUBJECT:
Product Approvals Are Not Always Required – Here’s Why
When is a Miami Dade Product Approval Required?
How do I Quickly Get a Certified TER or Master Plan?
Can a Plan Reviewer or Building Inspector Deny The Use of a TER or Master Plan?
What do I do if a TER isn’t enough for a permit?
What is a TER and how is it used for permitting?
Last Update: January 13, 2022
