Pathways to Professionalism Proceedings of the RCI 20th International Convention & Trade Show Miami Beach, Florida March 31 – April 5, 2005 © Roof Consultants Institute 1500 Sunday Drive, Suite 204 • Raleigh, NC 27607 Phone: 919-859-0742 • Fax: 919-859-1328 • http://www.rci-online.org SPRI/ANSI Standards: Standardizing Roof System Performance Stan Choiniere Olympic Fasteners Chantilly, VA ABSTRACT SPRI has developed standards that provide basic installation and system requirement information that consultants should know and include in their project specifications. This presentation provides an overview of the SPRI standards, how the standards are to be used and why they are important to the roofing consultant. The ANSI SPRI standards are: • ANSI/SPRI FX-1 – Standard Field Test Procedure for Determining the Withdrawal Resistance of Roofing Fasteners. • ANSI/SPRI RP-4 Wind Design Standard for Ballasted Wind Design Standard for Ballasted Single Ply Roofing Systems • ANSI/SPRI ES-1 Wind Design Standard for Edge Systems Used with Low Slope Roofing Systems • ANSI/ SPRI RD-1 Performance Standard for Retrofit Drains Knowing the standards and how to use them will help consultants be more effective in specifying functional roofs and ensure that they comply with building codes. SPEAKER STAN CHOINIERE is the National Technical Manager for Olympic Fasteners. In his 23 years with Olympic, Stan has been involved with the design of many proprietary fasteners for commercial roofing and holds several patents for roofing fasteners. He has also worked with several roof cover manufacturers to develop fastening systems to meet the demands of wind on the roofing system. Stan has been a member of SPRI for 22 years and has held many positions, including president in 2001. He is currently chairman of SPRI’s Technical Committee. He has twice been recognized by SPRI for “Outstanding Dedication and Service.” In 2004, Stan received his 15-year pin from RCI and has been a frequent speaker at regional and national RCI events. He has also authored a number of technical articles for Interface. Choiniere – 29 Choiniere – 31 INTRODUCTION When writing specifications for membrane roofing products, roofing designers should reference the ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) material specifications. However, it is also important that designers and consultants know and understand the limitations of membrane specifications. Furthermore, when required, roof consultants should understand how to upgrade a basic ASTM specification. SPRI does not develop membrane specifications, but this organization, using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process, has successfully promulgated several industry standards that provide basic installation and system requirements that consultants should also include in their project specifications. This paper reviews several SPRI standards, from how they are developed to how they are intended to be used. It also outlines why these standards are important to roofing consultants. In essence, understanding the SPRI standards and how to apply them will help consultants be more effective in specifying functional roofs and ensuring that they comply with building codes. First of all, here is a brief history of SPRI itself. SPRI is a nonprofit trade association that represents suppliers of sheet membranes and component products to the commercial roofing industry. Its membership also includes roof consultants, designers, product distributors, and testing and research agencies. The organization was founded in 1982 as the Single-Ply Roofing Institute, hence the acronym, “SPRI.” Current membership stands at approximately 51 companies located throughout North America. SPRI represents the majority of companies participating in the flexible membrane (otherwise known as single-ply roofing) industry. SPRI’s mission is to be the recognized technical and statistical authority on flexible membrane roofing systems. SPRI provides the best forum for members to focus their collective expertise and efforts on critical industry issues, thereby enabling them to operate more effectively in the commercial roofing marketplace. In pursuit of this mission, SPRI, in 1994, earned its accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an authorized canvasser of ANSI standards. ANSI is a non-profit, privatelyfunded membership organization that coordinates the development of U.S. voluntary national standards. ANSI was founded in 1918, prompted by the need for an “umbrella” organization to coordinate the activities of the U.S. voluntary standards system and eliminate conflict and duplication in the development process. This system has been successfully administered by the private sector, via ANSI, with the cooperation of federal, state, and local governments. It serves a diverse membership of over 1,400 companies, 250 professional, technical, trade, labor, and consumer organizations, and some 30 government agencies. ANSI standards exist in all industries, including safety and health, telecommunications, information processing, petroleum, medical devices, and construction. ANSI does not itself develop American National Standards; rather, it facilitates their development by providing the structure within which standards can be proposed and consensus can be achieved. ANSI approval of such standards is intended to verify that the principles of openness and due process have been followed in the approval procedure and that a consensus of those directly and materially affected by the standards has been achieved. The voluntary standards system in the United States consists of a large number of standards developers who write and maintain one or more national standards. The Institute ensures that its guiding principles – consensus, due process, and openness – are followed by these standards developers through the process of accreditation. One commonly utilized approach is the canvass method. Using this method, accredited sponsors such as SPRI conduct a canvass or mail poll of persons known to be directly or materially affected by the subject covered by the scope of the standard, in order to obtain evidence of consensus for approval of a standard as an American National Standard. All four of the SPRI standards highlighted in this paper were promulgated using the canvass method. SPRI/ANSI Standards: Standardizing Roof System Performance Choiniere – 32 ANSI/SPRI NATIONAL STANDARDS ANSI/SPRI RP-4 The first ANSI/SPRI standard that was developed is entitled ANSI/SPRI RP-4: Wind Design Standard for Ballasted Roofing Systems. Before SPRI ever created a national standard, the association developed, in 1994, a general document known as its “Wind Design Guide for Low-Slope Roofs” that provided guidelines for ballasted roof systems. This document was revised to incorporate acceptable “standard language” and was canvassed through ANSI in conjunction with the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). This first rendition of RP-4, “Wind Design Standard for Low-Slope Roofs,” was accepted as a National Standard in 1988. ANSI requires that all its standards be re-canvassed on a regular basis. In fact, this review process has been performed three times now on RP-4. The current version is known as ANSI/SPRI RP-4 2002. Especially noteworthy is the fact that, in October 1999, the ICC (International Code Council) adopted the ANSI/SPRI Wind Design Standard for Low-Slope Roofs for the 2000 International Building Code. All ballasted roofs installed in the territories served by the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, and the NFPA Code 5000 must conform to the ANSI/SPRI RP-4 Standard. Research has shown that ballasted single-ply systems do not respond to wind as predicted using the ASCE-7 wind load tables. Instead, the typical 10 pounds per square foot of ballast will resist ASCE loads of more than 75 pounds per square foot. When installing a ballasted roofing system, the designer has a number of options available: • Conventional gravelsurfacing. • Protected membrane assemblies with stone topping. • Protected membrane assemblies with cementitious toppings. • Membrane systems with heavyweight (min. 18lb/ft2) or lightweight pavers. However, it is important to remember that there are limitations that influence where it is appropriate to install a ballasted system. The specifier must consider the following: • The roof structure must be able to adequately support the weight of a ballasted system. • Slope is generally limited to 2 inches/foot. • RP-4 provides design data only to a maximum building height of 150 feet. • Appropriate perimeter securement and airtight edges are necessary. In addition, the ANSI/SPRI RP-4 standard addresses the important variable of what the area surrounding a specific rooftop – i.e., its exposure – is. This standard considers the effects of four different types of exposures: • Protected exposures = ASCE Exposure B. • Unprotected exposures = ASCE Exposures A, C, and D. Exposure A is upgraded to C equivalent. Exposure B: City, suburban, no high rise buildings. Exposure C: Open and rural, industrial parks, airports. Exposure D: Waterfront, large bodies of water. The ANSI/SPRI RP-4 standard also discusses different types of ballast: • ASTM D-448 #4 stone, 1- 1/2in. smooth or crushed rock (with membrane separator) at minimum 10 lb/ft2; • Heavyweight pavers (min. 18 lb/ft2); • Interlocking lightweight pavers (min. 10 lb/ ft2 ); * Ballast types – #2 ballast; • ASTM D-448 #2, stone or rock (nominal 2.5″) at minimum 13 lb/ft2; and • Heavyweight pavers (min. 22 lb/ft2). For specific information on the design of ballasted roof systems, download ANSI/SPRI RP-4 from www.spri.org. It is available free of charge. Consultants can also attend a SPRI-sponsored educational program on wind design. Association members are happy to provide such programs to interested groups. ANSI/SPRI FX-1 The important role played by fasteners in the performance of a roof system inspired SPRI to develop its next standard. Entitled ANSI/SPRI FX-1: Standard Field Test Procedure for Determining the Withdrawal Resistance of Roofing Fasteners, this standard provides a basis of comparison for fastener pull-out values. Choiniere – 33 Why use FX-1? While fasteners on their own make up a very small percentage of the total cost of a roofing system, their performance is the key element in the roof’s wind resistance. Pullout tests had been performed for years without any guidelines and, consequently, it was virtually impossible for designers to properly compare the performance of various products. SPRI developed its original guidelines to aid the roofing community and its members. These guidelines were readily accepted and they were actually the motivation for SPRI to become an ANSI canvasser. This nationally recognized ANSI/SPRI standard is referenced in the Factory Mutual (FM) Approval Guide. It provides a way to evaluate questionable decks, establish design values, and select fastener types. This standard also spotlights red flags, like: • Are the values low for the substrate type? • Are the values inconsistent? • Have you chosen the right fastener? Roof Edge Systems Standard: ANSI/SPRI ES-1-2003 Another ANSI/SPRI standard addresses the usage of roof edge systems. Entitled ANSI/SPRI ES- 1-2003: Wind Design Standard for Edge Systems Used with Low- Slope Roofing Systems, this standard looks at the key role that edge metal systems play in maintaining the integrity of roof systems in high-wind conditions. How important is roof edge detailing? A Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) study concluded that 79% of lowslope roof failures occurred at the edge. And edge metal detailing was #2 of 19 research priorities aimed at mitigating roof-related wind damage in a poll taken at a conference of roofing industry experts. ANSI/SPRI ES-1 was adopted into the International Building Code in 2001. When a code is adopted by a jurisdiction, the requirements of the code become law. Since ES-1 was not adopted prior to the introduction of the 2000 edition of the code but was adopted in the interim, many jurisdictions now are just beginning to enforce this requirement as they adopt the 2003 edition of the International Building Code. ES-1 is also referenced in the NFPA Code 5000. The devastation wreaked by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 graphically demonstrated the importance of roof edge systems (or the lack thereof). Damage estimates went as high as $7.2 billion (in 1990 dollars). Preliminary observations from RICOWI Wind Investigation Program team members who investigated the damage caused by Hurricane Charlie in 2004 indicate that the rate of roof edge failure reported is likely to be the same as previously reported by FM for wind-related events. To study wind-related situations such as this, the roofing industry formed RICOWI (Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues). Hurricane Charlie was the first time the RICOWI wind investigation team was deployed after its formation and training in 1996, as there were no major U.S. wind events in the interim. The ANSI/SPR ES-1 standard details: • Attachment of roof edge device, • Metal thickness, • Galvanic compatibility and resistance, • Appliances, and • Test protocols. The heart of this standard is its test protocols. There are three tests that may be called for, depending on the edge design. Test Method RE-1 requires: • A minimum 12-in.-wide mock-up of the termination system. • Membrane pulled @45 degree angle to the roof deck. • Termination strength deemed satisfactory if test force exceeds 100 lbs. per foot. Test Method RE-2 requires: • All parts of the test specimen shall be full size in all dimensions. • Length as designed for field use (8′ minimum). Test Method E-3 requires: • Bi-directional test for coping caps. Face and top loadings applied simultaneously (then back and top loadings). To perform the test, this standard permits any equipment capable of performing the test procedure within the allowed tolerances. For example, one SPRI supplier’s machine is calibrated to within 1/2% accuracy. As far as anchoring measures are concerned, the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 standard accepts the same methods of construction, anchoring devices, and fasteners as used on an actual building. Cyclical loads are applied incrementally and each level held for not less than 60 seconds. General design considerations outlined in ANSI/SPRI ES-1 include: Choiniere – 34 • Wind speed; • Building height; • Building exposure (terrain); and • Importance factor. By using the standard’s protocols, the ultimate outcome should be peace of mind for all parties involved. • Architects get performancebased specifications and evaluations of substitutions. • Contractors then know any competitors will have to bid a similar product to meet code. • Owners receive a quality roof system capable of protecting their investment. What is the cost of compliance? • A roof edge is about 5% of the cost of the roof in a retrofit installation. • On new construction projects, the cost of a roof edge system is a fraction of a percent. • If you are already using a manufactured system, meeting the ANSI/SPRI Standard or code won’t cost anything. Thus, consider carefully the cost of noncompliance. Retrofit Roof Drain Standard: ANSI/SPRI RD-1 2004 The newest ANSI/SPRI standard was accepted early this year. Dubbed ANSI/SPRI RD-1 2004, Performance Standard for Retrofit Drains, this standard addresses a topic for which there previously were no guidelines. ANSI/SPRI RD-1 2004 deals with retrofit roof drains which are designed for installation in existing drain plumbing on existing roofs. (This standard does not address roof design criteria.) Retrofitting drains differs from new installations in a variety of ways. Since the drains are already in place, one cannot specify their number and size. Therefore, this standard provides a means for checking the existing roof to see if there will be sufficient drainage. • Adding secondary (or primary) drains cannot be done by retrofitting. Designers can only work with existing drain sites on the roof. • Connection to existing plumbing is generally done from the roof side, so the quality of that connection must be ensured by conforming to the standard. This standard also discusses drain capacities. • Existing drain capacities frequently exceed requirements. When more drain capacity is needed, consult with the retrofit drain manufacturer for a compatible solution. And check to be sure there is sufficient drainage using the retrofit diameter. New Standard in Development SPRI is currently canvassing another document for acceptance as an ANSI Standard. The Standard Field Test Procedure for Determining the Mechanical Uplift Resistance of Insulation Adhesives Over Various Substrates specifies a field-testing procedure to determine the mechanical uplift resistance of a specific roof insulation/ adhesive combination. By devoting considerable time and resources to developing generic, informative standards that benefit the entire roofing community, SPRI has given the industry valuable tools that should be at every consultant’s disposal. Don’t miss out. In fact, in an effort to broaden the reach of these standards, SPRI decided in 2003 to offer them free of charge on its website, www.spri.org. To date, over 2,700 copies of these four ANSI/SPRI national standards have been downloaded. After this conference, we expect to see a considerable spike in those numbers!
