From the Editor
Welcome to the Standing Seam Spotlight!

Today, we celebrate a momentous occasion as we launch our first issue of the Standing Seam Spotlight!

This briefing is intended to provide you with useful information about metal roofing design, testing, code compliance, and more. Each issue will contain a single, short article covering a variety of topics that we hope will be helpful to you in your pursuit of excellence.

If you would like more information about a particular article, or if you would like to request an article about a specific topic, you may contact IMETCO by calling 800-646-3826, or by sending an e-mail to learn@imetco.com.

Thank you for your interest!

Amy Stokes
Innovative Metals Company, Inc. (IMETCO)

By Frank Resso

"Must Meet Building Code!" Virtually every specification includes this requirement. But frequently, the full impact of this statement is lost on both the specifier and the bidders, particularly with regard to metal roofing and wind resistance.

 

This article highlights the importance of compliance, and reveals a few considerations and ambiguities faced when a metal roof "must meet building code" because ... Building code compliance is not optional – it is the law!

 

 

What Are Building Codes?

Building codes are legal statutes enacted and enforced by state and local governments to protect the life, safety and property of the public at large.
 
Virtually every government body adopts a model building code as its document to specify the minimum performance and design standards for structures. Currently, the International Building Code (IBC) 2000 edition (or some variant thereof) is used by most of the more than 5,000 code enforcement jurisdictions in the United States.

(To review excerpts from the building code and how they apply to designing and specifying standing seam metal roofing, click here to download a PDF.)
 

Your Stamp, Your Seal, Your Problem

A statement such as “must meet all building code requirements” only vaguely instructs the bidder to propose tested and engineered products. It is ultimately the professional responsibility of the design professional of record for any construction project to review and approve any products or systems which are approved for use on a project.
 
Don’t rely on the local building department to review your application for permit to verify all code requirements are met. Once they see your seal and signature, they assume that all is well, and you assume personal professional liability for ensuring compliance.
 

In A Nutshell

Metal roofing specifications that will “meet code” and protect the design professional should:

• Require wind load calculations in accordance with ASCE 7, sealed by a professional engineer who is registered to practice in the jurisdiction of the project
• Require the submittal of ASTM E-1592 test reports which have been performed by an ASTM accredited independent laboratory, and sealed by professional engineer
• Require a design analysis by a professional engineer who is registered to practice in the jurisdiction of the project. This analysis must demonstrate that the allowable wind uplift capacity of the proposed roofing system (as reported by ASTM E-1592 testing) meets or exceeds the design wind uplift loading on that individual structure (as determined by ASCE 7 engineering calculations).

By incorporating these minimum code requirements into your standing seam metal roofing specifications, you can ensure that, as the design professional of record, the wind uplift design is properly addressed and the specified system is truly Up to Code.