Industry Background _________________________________________
SMACNA The Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SMACNA) has long been involved in providing guidance on metal gauges, cleat gauge and fastener placement through its recommended details. It is important to note that they provide no performance numbers to match jobsite requirements. The details are not tested to any performance standards and are a prescriptive standard, not a performance.
ANSI/SPRI ES-1 Key Players:
The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that does third party endorsements of performance testing processes and procedures.
The Single-Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) is comprised of manufacturers and professionals in the single-ply roofing industry.
From Idea to Code The standard was canvassed throughout the industry to develop consensus and followed the below steps on its way to becoming an international code:
1. Developed by SPRI 2. Approved by ANSI
3. Approved by ICC 4. Added to the 2003 and 2006 IBC
FM Factory Mutual (FM) is formed of a conglomeration of insurance companies. In order to limit their exposure to loss, FM has developed testing standards for materials used on the properties they insure.
The standard became popular to use even on buildings that were not FM insured, simply because the roofing industry has no standard of its own.
Meeting the FM Loss Prevention data Bulletin 1-49 does not make the edge ANSI/SPRI ES-1 tested. FM tested should not be confused with ASNI/SPRI ES-1 testing; they are two separate and unique testing methods. Specifiers should carefully list which testing requirement (s) are needed for each building project. Likewise, roofers should fully understand the different testing methodologies in order to supply the appropriate product for each project.
IBC The International Building Code’s (IBC’s) 2003 and 2006 editions contain a provision that low-slope roof systems’ edge metal flashing (coping, fascias and grave-stops) must be specifically tested and designed to resist wind loads according to the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 standard. To comply with IBC’s provision for edge securement for low-slope roofs, edge metal flashing must be tested and shown to stay in place when subjected to design wind loads. This is a significant departure from what has been standard industry practice where edge metal flashings usually were designed based on established guidelines or dictated by regional practices.
Simply stated, a roof edge system must act as a water seal at the edge by protecting the membrane from pulling free under high winds or repeated seasonal wind cycles. If the edge leaks or blows off, damage to the roof membrane, insulation and/or the structural decking can occur.
Compromising any portion of an edge metal specification greatly diminishes the useful life expectancy of the entire roof system. There is little or no monetary recourse to a building owner when damage occurs due to the builder accepting a shop-fabricated roof edge system that may not perform as required, in lieu of the specified products.
The following are conservative estimates regarding the cost of the litigation versus the cost of the roof edge:
The cost of a building’s roof is approximately 10% of the total building cost.
Conservatively, 60% of litigation claims originated from the roof area.
On average, 59% of roof warranty claims are attributed to metal edge failures.
Therefore, out of all of the litigations, 36% is attributed to the edge metal failure.
Perimeter edge metal is typically .1% of the building cost.
.1% of the cost of the building carries 36% of the exposure to risk of litigation.
Despite this, many specified edge metal products are routinely eliminated or substituted with inferior products due to cost overruns, contractor convenience or misguided information. This is an unnecessary risk that can easily be avoided by properly specifying (and holding to that specification) a quality, tested roof edge.
Don’t: Furnish aluminum gravel stops in sizes as shown on prints. Color to be selected by architect or building owner.
Reason: Failing to state precisely what is needed in regards to wind design requirements, metal thickness, finish and color forces contractors to inflate bids to cover the cost of possible “non-standard” materials.
Do: Provide edge metal details certified to meet the project’s design requirements as tested by ANSI/SPRI ES-1, RE-1, RE-2 and/or RE-3 test methodologies.
Provide two-piece fascia profile as shown on plans, 6” overall face height. Waterdam fabricated from 24 ga G-90 galvanized steel. Fascia panels to be fabricated from pre-finished .050” Kynar 500 coated aluminum. Color to be selected from manufacturer’s standard colors. Fascia sections to be a minimum of 10’-0’.
Specifics: There are five basic “must-haves” for specifying a wind-warranted and performance tested edge system:
Be sure the appropriate manufactured fascia and coping wind warranties are specifically stated in Section 7710 or 7620, Part-1 General Quality Assurance, and Warranty paragraph
In Section 7710 or 7620, Part-1 General Assurance, specify that the fascia and coping shall be tested and designed to withstand wind pressure for the building as calculated by using the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 document.
In Section 7710 or 7620, Part-1 Certifications: Submit manufacturer’s written certification that “copings” and “ fascias” comply with requirements of ANSI/SPRI ES-1.
In Section 7710 or 7620, Part-2 Products, specify the respective brand names of the fascia and coping system.
In Section 7710 or 7620, Part 2- Products, state the correct material gauges and finishes.
1. Know the performance characteristics inherent to the building structure based on location, building height, ground roughness factors, and documented design wind speed. If you are unfamiliar with the potential forces imposed on the structure (i.e. wind loads creating uplift pressures, surrounding terrain factors, rainfall intensity, etc.) you cannot precisely determine the type(s) of products that will perform within the building’s required parameters.
2. Use recognized testing standards such as the Single-Ply Roofing Institute’s (SPRI) Wind Design Guide for Use with Low Slope Roofing Systems. By subscribing to the ANSI/SPRI design methodologies you will develop the edge metal specification around the project’s actual location, not arbitrary windstorm resistance areas or zones.
3. Ask for certification that the products furnished meet those requirements as tested by the ANSI/SPRI RE-1, RE-2 and/or RE-3 test.
4. Follow and practice the industry recognized acceptable material thicknesses for gravel-stop face heights, coping wall widths and gutter girths.
5. Specify exactly what you want by including the metal’s material thickness, finish and color if available.
6. Rely on the advice and expertise of the manufacturer and local sales representatives of the specified materials to recommend the best product for the guidelines you’ve established. Ask for manufacture’s warranties on performance and material finishes.
7. Most importantly, provide the building owner with the products and performance they expect from their roofing investment. Quality perimeter metal edges are the first line of defense in creating a long-term successful roofing system.
Our expert metal craftsmanship and manufacturing capabilities are exemplified in our radius coping products. The standard lead–time for customized welded radius coping; ranges from 4-5 weeks due to processing time.
Quicklock Radius Coping
Need radius coping on a moments notice? Quicklock Radius Coping is available within a 1-2 week lead time, and features:
No welding or post coated painting required
Utilizes a non-penetrating “Quicklock” coining system, factory joints sealed watertight.
Full snap-on design allows for fast, easy installation. No crimping required.
Competitively priced when compared to locally made or roofer shop designs.
Custom fabricated to fit exact job requirements.
Heavy Galvanized steel springs provided factory attached to anchor clips.
National Sheet Metal Systems, Inc. (NSMS) takes great pride in the work and craftsmanship that goes into each and every job. We know that it is important to our customers to create buildings that will last for years to come. Our products go through extensive tests prior to completion that we proudly stand behind.
All applications for warranty should be faxed to the NSMS main office at (404) 298-9720, or toll free (866) 298-NSMS.
20 Year, 110 mph Wind Warranty This warranty is available on pre-approved orders. It provides a maximum of 20 years, 110 mph coverage for the repair or replacement of any portion of the roof edge system that has failed due to defect in NSMS supplied materials.
20 Year, Kynar Finish Warranty This warranty is available on all Kynar 500 finished products from our standard color selection. It covers the peeling, cracking, excess chalking and fading of the paint finish.
5 Year, Labor / Material Warranty This warranty is available on all NSMS finished products. It provides coverage for 5 years against any products that are found to have defects in the materials or workmanship.
For a complete overview of warranties and samples, please visit our website.
The cost of a building’s roof is approximately 10% of the total building cost.
National Sheet Metal Systems, Inc. (NSMS) takes great pride in the work and craftsmanship that goes into each and every job. We know that it is important to our customers to create buildings that will last for years to come. Our products go through extensive tests prior to completion that we proudly stand behind.