SPRI publishes updated version of wind design standard

Waltham, MA, March 2003 - SPRI, the organization representing sheet membrane and component suppliers to the commercial roofing industry, is pleased to announce that it has issued an updated version of its wind design standard.

In accordance with guidelines set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), SPRI successfully re-canvassed its revised wind design standard, entitled ANSI/SPRI RP-4, 2002, "Wind Design Standard for Ballasted Single-Ply Roofing Systems." ANSI policies require that all national standards must be re-evaluated every five years, so SPRI has been diligent in updating and re-canvassing its three ANSI/SPRI standards as publication schedules demand. The re-canvassing process included people representing the manufacturing industry, the design community, testing laboratories, academic organizations and other members of the construction industry. This updated ANSI/SPRI RP-4 standard incorporates minor adjustments to its wind tables based on revised data from the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) 7-98 guidelines, explains SPRI Technical Director Dave Roodvoets.

The ANSI/SPRI RP-4 standard was developed to give building code organizations a way to inspect and approve ballasted flexible membrane roof systems, Roodvoets says. It was first issued, in a slightly different format, in 1985. Subsequently, ANSI/SPRI RP-4 was incorporated in the BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators International Inc.) and SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International Inc.) codes and now is included in the International Code Council's (ICC) building code. RP-4 is referenced by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), too, in its building code.

The full text of all approved ANSI/SPRI standards, along with an array of other handy resources, are available on CD-ROM in SPRI's comprehensive reference manual, "Flexible Membrane Roofing: A Professional's Guide to Specifications." This CD-ROM features a time-saving, easy-to-use format that enables users to quickly locate and accurately download needed information such as application guidelines, design considerations, test procedures, and product composition.

Single copies of the standard itself are also available for a nominal fee from SPRI.

SPRI has also developed a comprehensive, day-long program highlighting the factors to consider regarding wind resistance of low-slope roofing systems. This well-illustrated course covers a wide range of topics, from wind effects on buildings and how they act on different types of roof systems to the ways that wind loads are referenced by industry organizations like Factory Mutual (FM) Research Corp., Norwood, MA, and ASCE. This program is now available for presentation to interested associations and related industry groups.

For more information contact:

Linda King, SPRI Managing Director
SPRI
411 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 331B
Waltham, MA 02452
Tel: 781-647-7026 Fax: 781-647-7222
E-mail: info@spri.org