ES-1 Testing In the Industry...

With the increased adoption of the 2003 International Building Code (IBC), many contractors are claiming that they meet the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 design requirement. To verify this claim, contact the NRCA or InterTek Testing Services.

The NRCA's Role

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) does have a tested detail that complies with ANSI/SPRI ES-1. For more information go to:

http://www.nrca.net/rp/technical/details/itslisting.aspx

FM Approvals' Role

FM Approvals' guidelines were for a very long time the only industry standard available. That changed with the development and acceptance of ANSI/SPRI ES-1. ES-1 is currently the standard accepted by the ICC and it is the primary standard by which roof edges are judged. Meeting the FM Global Loss Prevention Data Sheet 1-49 does not make an edge ANSI/SPRI ES-1 tested.

The Bottom Line

The public wants performance testing for roof edge systems, including parapet coping caps. This need is demonstrated regularly as more states and localities adopt the 2003 IBC. This means that roofing sheet-metal fabricators (contractors) must provide roof edge systems that meet ANSI/SPRI ES-1, or they will be in violation of the code.

Make sure that you get the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 document specified within the Quality Assurance Sub-Section of the General Section 7620 or 7710. The wording can be as simple as this (as stated in the 2003 IBC 1504.5 itself):

“The metal edge securement, except gutter, shall be installed as tested in accordance with the most current version of the ANSI\SPRI ES-1, American National Standard for Edge Systems Used with Low-Slope Roofing Systems.”

For more information on the 2003 IBC and which states have adopted it, visit the ICC website at www.iccsafe.org.