The
Single-Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) is a sheet membrane and component supplier to the commercial roofing industry. SPRI has worked with the roofing industry to develop consensus industry standards.
Factory Mutual Global (FM) provides commercial and industrial property insurance and engineering-driven risk management solutions.
The
International Code Council (ICC) is a non-profit organization that works to develop a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes. The International Building Code (IBC) provides a consensus standard for construction codes.
Prior to 1980 there were no roofing edge standards by which manufacturers could hold themselves to. FM then created a system of standards and approvals to use on FM insured properties. The design community adopted this because there were no other available standards at the time.
In 1998 SPRI developed a series of three tests for judging the quality and durability of fascia and coping. These tests then allow for ES-1 approval.
In 2003 the IBC wrote the ES-1 guidelines into their 2003 code. The majority of states and municipalities have adopted the 2003 IBC or a subsequent version making ES-1 compliance crucial.
The key elements considered in testing are:
- Wind Speed
- Building Occupancy
- Building Height
- Location on Roof
- Building Location
Three tests make up the ES-1 testing process.
RE-1: This tests the roof edge termination for mechanically attached and ballasted roofing systems. The RE-1 test evaluates the perimeter attachment to ensure that it meets a minimum holding power of 100 lbs./ft. The membrane is pulled at a 45° angle to the roof deck to simulate a billowing membrane. RE-2 Diagram Failure is defined as any event that allows the membrane to come free of the edge termination or the termination to come free.
RE-2: This is a pull-off test for metal edge flashing. It evaluates the strength of the metal edge flashing to ensure that the fascia system meets or exceeds the building's calculated design wind pressure. A load is applied to the fascia metal, simulating wind load on the fascia. The calculation used is: force at failure X face area = blow-off resistance. The results must meet or exceed the calculated design wind pressure of the building.
RE-3: This test is a pull-off test for metal wall coping. It evaluates the strength of the metal coping cap to ensure that it meets or exceeds the building's calculated design wind pressure. A load is applied to the coping cap, simulating wind load. Simultaneous up and out forces are used. The calculation used is: force at failure X face area = blow-off resistance. The results must meet or exceed the calculated design wind pressure of the building.
*Note: Drawings illustrate the testing process only. See the appropriate product details for proper installation.
Metal-Era has developed an easy to use
wind calculator. Just enter a few basic facts about your building project, such as building height and location, and receive the basic wind speed, the needed design pressure and Metal-Era products which meet the design pressure.
The 2007 IBC, §1504.5: "Edge securement for low-slope roofs. Low-slope membrane roof system metal edge securement, except gutters, shall be designed and installed for wind loads in accordance with Chapter 16 and tested for resistance in accordance with ANSI/SPRI ES-1, except the basic wind speed shall be determined from Figure 1609."
The ANSI/SPRI ES-1 document can be downloaded in its entirety for free from SPRI.
Metal-Era’s commitment to long-lasting, quality products has made it vital that we ES-1 test all product lines. The testing provides customers the piece of mind to know that they are not liable for a building code violation. Specifically, the following product lines have been ES-1 tested (please check with your sales rep for the latest information):
Anchor-Tite, Perma-Tite, Systems 200, 300, 400 and 500 fascias; Perma-Tite and Anchor-Tite copings; and Metal-Era's private label partners (
Carlisle, FiberTite, Firestone, GenFlex, Johns Manville, Koppers, Sika Sarnafil, Stevens, US Ply and Versico) full system warranty product lines. If you have a specific building project, you may use Metal-Era's easy to use
wind calculator. It quickly calculates the basic wind speed, the needed design pressure and Metal-Era products which meet the design pressure.
ES-1 tested products assure a long-lasting, quality product. It is important to frequently check your local requirements because additional states, counties and municipalities are in the process of adopting the IBC. Understandably, it can be difficult and sometimes confusing to keep track of each locality's requirements, so to play it safe and avoid the risk of not coming up to code, specify ES-1 tested roof edges.