Prior to 1980, there were no roofing edge standards that building manufacturers could adhere to. Soon after witnessing the devastating effects of hurricane Hugo in 1989, FM Global pioneered a system of standards and approvals to use on FM Global insured properties. The design community soon adopted this system, and SPRI developed a series of three tests for judging the quality and durability of fascia and coping. Since then, the following factors are considered when designing the edge of a roof: structural integrity of the substrate that anchors the edge, wind resistance of the edge detail, and materials specifications.
National ES Testing Service, Inc. performs the following two test procedures to ensure that your commercial building is fully compliant with ANSI SPRI ES-1 standards:
Test 1: The roof edge termination is tested for mechanically attached and ballasted roofing systems. The test evaluates the perimeter attachment to ensure that it meets a minimum holding power of 100lbs/ft. Failure is defined as any event that allows the membrane to come free of the edge termination or the termination to come free.
Test RE-2: This test evaluates the strength of the metal edge flashing to ensure that the fascia system meets or exceeds the building’s calculated design wind pressure. As a pull-off test, a load is applied to the fascia’s metal itself, simulating wind load on the fascia. Roof edge compliance requires the results to meet or exceed the calculated design wind pressure of the building.
Test RE-3: The second 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. The results must meet or exceed the calculated design wind pressure of the building.
To learn more about the metal roofing edge products testing offered by National ES Testing Service, Inc., visit our website.
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