IIBEC Technical Advisory No. 003-2013 (REV 2022): Issues with ANSI/SPRI ES-1

DISCLAIMER
This Technical Advisory is intended to serve only as a general resource and to identify potential issues for
consideration by industry professionals. Each person using this Technical Advisory is solely responsible for the
evaluation of the Technical Advisory in light of the unique circumstances of any particular situation, must
independently determine the applicability of such information, and assumes all risks in connection with the use
of such information. The materials contained in this Technical Advisory do not supersede any code, rule,
regulation, or legislation and are not intended to represent the standard of care in any jurisdiction.
Technical Advisory
Issues with ANSI/SPRI ES-1– 03-2013 (REV 2022)
TITLE: Issues with ANSI/SPRI ES-1
DESIGNATION: IIBEC TA-003-2013 (REV 2022)
OBJECTIVE: To provide commentary regarding issues associated with the ANSI/SPRI
ES-1 standard.
BACKGROUND
In 1998, ANSI/SPRI developed ES-1, “Wind Design Standard for Edge Systems Used with Low-Slope Roofing
Systems.” The design standard addressed copings and horizontal roof edges, and the following factors were to be
considered when designing roof edges: Structural integrity of the substrate that anchors the edge (i.e., nailers),
wind resistance of the edge detail, and materials specifications.
In 2003, the International Building Code (IBC) adopted the 1998 version of the standard, addressed in Chapter
15, paragraph 1504.5, “Edge Securement for Low-Slope Roofs.”
The IBC requires that edge systems are to be tested in accordance with RE-1, RE-2 and RE-3 as applicable for
the design pressure at the building site. This requirement has been adopted by a majority of the code enforcing
bodies throughout the United States and has become the basis for building design. The design and testing of gutter
systems are covered in other ANSI/SPRI documents.
COMPLIANCE / CODE CONFORMANCE
There are several sources that offer tested assemblies by which the edge metal can comply with the current
standard. They are as follows:
– Manufacturers who have designed and tested proprietary premanufactured edge metal and coping systems in accordance with
ANSI/SPRI ES-1 standards
– National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) ANSI/SPRI ES-1 tested details available at www.nrca.net.
– Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) ANSI/SPRI ES-1 tested details available in
the SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual and at www.smacna.org
– Designed, shop-fabricated edge metal and coping profiles that have been tested in accordance with ANSI/SPRI ES-1
– Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) ANSI/SPRI ES-1 certified metal edge systems. UL certifies these roof edge systems under
the product category “Roof-Edge Systems, Metal, for Use with Low-Slope Roofing Systems (TGJZ).”
– If a ‘non-tested’ assembly is desired or necessary, the ‘performance-based’ option within the 2018 IBC can be used as allowed
in IBC Section 104.11 ‘Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment’. This is often performed on
new construction where the coping is a part of the exterior wall system and is engineered by the design professional responsible
for the exterior wall. Use of this alternative may or may not still require some form of testing, however the conditions and need
can be jointly agreed upon with the code authority.
ISSUES
– Limits design creativity: Since there are a limited number of tested fabrications, a designer is somewhat limited to using one
of these predetermined components and making it work with proposed new construction or with existing conditions. The other
available option is developing an original design, producing a prototype, and having it tested by an independent laboratory.
– Limited applications and flexibility with existing building conditions: Existing buildings with unusual or atypical conditions
and/or features along the perimeters of roofs traditionally do not lend themselves to the application of predesigned sheet metal
fabrications. Again, this option would involve the time and expense of developing a prototype and having it tested by an
independent laboratory.
– Past performance of “tested/approved” systems: There have been applications where “tested” assemblies that met the applicable
standards were installed and subjected to elevated wind forces and did not perform as expected. The source of the failure may
have been due to issues related to the dimensional characteristics associated with field measuring and/or the actual installation
of the components where the as-built conditions did not conform to the laboratory conditions. Since many of the tested
fabrications rely on interlocking and/or snapped-on components, variations in the dimensional limitations could result in lessthan-desirable performance.
– Areas not located in hurricane-prone regions or high-wind zones: A large portion of the United States is not located within
hurricane-prone regions or high-wind zones, and the requirement for the edge metal to meet these standards may be considered
somewhat excessive and may not be the most cost-effective and practical solution. It would appear that fabricating and installing
sheet metal edge flashings in accordance with established industry standards, such as SMACNA and NRCA, that have not been
through the testing protocols have provided proven serviceable solutions without failures for those buildings located outside of
the subject areas.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
ANSI/SPRI ES-1 standard was developed for the betterment of the design, installation, and performance of
perimeter edge metal systems and currently is included in the building code that has been adopted by most
jurisdictions. It should be understood that there are alternate paths to compliance and that the final design should
be tested to RE-1, RE-2 and/or RE-3 per the wind loads for the specific building site. The applicability, overall
financial impact, and potential risks of these requirements should be reviewed by both the building owner and the
designer.