Shop-fabricated edge metal testing
Shop-fabricated edge metal testing links
ANSI/SPRI ES-1 testing
ANSI/SPRI ES-1, "Wind Design Standard for Edge Systems Used with Low Slope Roofing
Systems," is a standard addressing the design wind loads and wind resistances testing
of edge metal systems, except gutters, used to secure the perimeters of low-slope
membrane roof systems.
The
International Building Code (IBC) and
NFPA 5000, Building Construction
and Safety Code, contain specific provisions requiring specific edge metal
flashings to comply with ANSI/SPRI ES-1. For example, in the
International Building
Code, 2012 Edition, the provision reads as follows:
"1504.5 Edge securement for low-slope roofs. Low-slope built-up, modified
bitumen and single-ply roof system metal edge securement, except gutters, shall
be designed and installed for wind loads in accordance with Chapter 16 and be tested
for resistance in accordance with Test Methods RE-1, RE-2 and RE-3 of ANSI/SPRI
ES-1, except Vult wind speed shall be determined from Figure 1609A, 1609B,
or 1609C as applicable."
The 2003 Edition of ANSI/SPRI ES-1 is applicable to the
International Building Code,
2012 Edition.
ANSI/SPRI ES-1 also is sometimes referenced in project specifications as a specific
requirement for edge metal flashings.
ANSI/SPRI ES-1 consists of two primary parts. The first part provides an analytical
procedure for estimating the design wind loads that will act on the perimeter edges
of low-slope roof systems. The second part provides three test methods—RE-1,
RE-2 and RE-3—for evaluating the wind resistances of edge metal systems design.
The fundamental concept of ANSI/SPRI ES-1 is the tested wind resistances of a specific
edge metal system needs to be greater than the design wind loads for the specific
building being evaluated.
Customarily, design wind loads for building designs are determined by the project
designer. Design wind loads should be clearly delineated on the project drawings
or in the construction documents.
Wind resistance values for specific edge metal flashing profiles typically are provided
by the manufacturers of edge metal systems. Project designers should include in
their designs specific edge metal systems that have wind resistance values suitable
for the specific building design.
NRCA has conducted extensive testing using ANSI/SPRI ES-1 of various edge metal
flashing profiles that are usually shop fabricated. The edge metal profiles tested are based
upon the construction details contained in The NRCA Roofing Manual. This testing
provides roofing professionals who fabricate edge metal flashings in their own sheet
metal shops a means of supplying edge metal flashings that comply with ANSI/SPRI
ES-1.
NRCA also maintains certification programs with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
and Intertek Testing Services, N.A., based upon the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 testing we conducted.
These certification programs provide third-party verification of compliance with
ANSI/SPRI ES-1 by a code-approved testing agency. Although such thirty-party verification
is not a specific requirement of IBC and may not be required by project specification
requirements, it does provide credible, independent means of showing edge metal
flashings fabricated in your sheet metal shop comply with ANSI/SPRI ES-1. Additional
information about these certification programs is available by clinking on the links
below:
NRCA's also maintains an approval with FM Approvals for specific roof perimeter
flashing systems. NRCA's FM Approvals approval is based upon FM 4435, "Approval
Standard for Roof Perimeter Flashing." FM 4435 is the basis of FM Approval's classification
(e.g., FM 1-90, 1-120, 1-150) for roof perimeter flashings systems.
FM 4435 is notably different from ANSI/SPRI ES-1. FM 4435 and FM Approval's classifications
are typically applicable to buildings that are insured by FM Global.
Click here to view additional information about NRCA's FM Approvals
approval listing.