Minimum Design Criteria for Fixed and Floating Structures

NOTE: Design should meet all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
criteria.

FIXED STRUCTURES
As a minimum, fixed, covered facilities should be designed to prevent
damage to stored boats by forcing them against the roof during a 100-year
flood event. Secondly, the floor elevation of fixed docks and piers should be
a minimum of 2 feet above the normal high pool elevation.
FLOATING STRUCTURES
DESIGN CRITERIA.

1. Wood Material – When wood material is used, it should be designed in
   accordance with Chapter 25 of The Uniform Building Code, latest edition,
   as applicable. However, all connections should be secured with galvanized
   sheet metal, steel plates, metal straps, or treated plywood gussets to resist
   movement that would otherwise tend to dismantle the structural
   connections. All wood material in the substructure, including the deck, must
   be pressure treated with a non-skin-irritating preservative. Wood material in
   the superstructure should not require preservative treatment, but the
   exposed exterior should be painted with not less than two coats of exterior
   oil paint.
2. Steel Material – When steel material is used, it should be designed to
   comply with Chapters 27 and 28 of the latest edition of the Uniform Building
   Code, as applicable, depending on the type of steel used. Welded or bolted
   connections are optional. New metal on the exposed exterior of the
   superstructure is desired. Used steel may be adequate if it is in good
   condition; however, if the used steel is of a dull color, application of paint
   may be required.
3. Concrete Material – When concrete material is used it should be
   designed to meet all ACI (American Concrete Institute) and/or PCI
   (Prestressed Concrete Institute) specifications for a “pre-cast concrete
   structure” in water use.
   DESIGN LOADS. (Minimum)
4. Deck loads (substructure) 50 lb/ft2
5. Approach bridges or walkways 50 lb/ft2
6. Wind loads (substructures and superstructures) 20 lb/ft2
7. Roof loads (superstructures) 10 lb/ft2 (to provide for a 2-inch ice load or
   an equivalent amount of snow [where applicable]).
8. Flotation must be provided under all areas of the substructure having 25
   square feet or greater.
   WALKWAYS.
9. Walkways should be not less than 3 feet wide and structurally sound.
10. Flotation material should be determined on length of walkway in the
    water and/or connections on the floating craft and the shore.
11. The method of anchoring the walkway to the floating structure and the
    shore should allow for adequate water level fluctuations and should not
    create a tripping hazard.
    STABILIZED OR UNDERWATER BRACE.
12. A stabilized or underwater metal brace is recommended on the front
    (lake side) of a boat house between dock walkways.
13. The size of the metal brace should be determined on the width between
    the dock walkways.
14. The depth of the metal brace below the water line should be determined
    on the draft of the floating craft to be stored in the boat house.
    FLOTATION.
    Flotation should be of materials fabricated for marine use. The flotation
    material should be expanded, encased, encapsulated, or cast and 100
    percent warranted for a minimum of 8 years against sinking, becoming
    waterlogged, cracking, peeling, fragmenting, or losing beads. All flotation

The material should resist puncture and penetration and should not be subject
to damage by animals under normal conditions for the area. All flotation
material should be fire-resistant.
MARINE MARKINGS.
Aids to navigation in and around marinas should be consistent with U.S.
Aids to Navigation.