I don't think most people have really read all of the changes to 680 and actually figured out what it means. I know it seemed like a shock to Florida once they actually read it (after adoption of course)
The new requirement does use the word "rods" (608.23(C)(1)) and that does preclude wire mesh. This is being revisited in 2008 and it may allow a single ring of 8 copper to bpnd the deck mesh. Around here we don't even see that much mesh. It is fiber in the concrete.
