FAQs
Perimeter Roof Edge Testing FAQs
Please review our ANSI/SPRI ES-1 reference information for answers about our perimeter roof edge testing services. By adhering to ANSI/SPRI ES-1 standards, builders are assured that their building’s roofing perimeter sheet metal terminations will comply with both local building codes and International Building Codes. For additional assistance, please call 1-404-234-3905 to speak to a National ES Testing Service representative roof edge test
The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that administers and coordinates a voluntary standardization system.
SPRI, (Single-Ply Roofing Industry) is a non-profit trade association representing the sheet membrane and component supplier to the commercial roofing industry. SPRI is an official ANSI canvasser and has worked with representatives of the roofing industry to develop a number of consensus standards.
FMGlobal provides commercial and industrial property insurance and engineering-driven risk management solutions.
The International Code Council (ICC) is a non-profit organization that works to develop a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes. The International Building Code (IBC) provides a consensus standard for construction codes.
Prior to 1980, there were no roofing edge standards by which manufacturers could hold themselves to. FM Global then created a system of standards and approvals to use on FM Global-insured properties. The design community adopted this system because there were no other available standards at the time.
In 1998 SPRI developed a series of three tests for judging the quality and durability of fascia and coping. These tests then allow for ES-1 approval.
In 2002 the IBC wrote the ES-1 guidelines into their 2003 code. Many states have adopted the 2003 IBC, and the list is continually growing.
Currently, SPRI and FM Approvals are working together to develop the next generation of the standard.
It is a reference for those who design, specify or install edge materials used with low-slope roofing systems. It addresses copings and horizontal roof edges. The following factors are considered when designing a roof edge:
- Structural integrity of the substrate that anchors the edge (e.g. nailers)
- Wind resistance of the edge detail
- Materials specifications
The key elements considered are:
- Wind Speed
- Building Occupancy
- Building Height
- Location of the edge device on Roof
- Building Location
- For complete testing ANSI/SPRI ES-1 information, please visit our ANSI/SPRI ES-1 Processes page.
The 2003 IBC, §1504.5: “Edge securement for low-slope roofs. Low-slope membrane roof systems metal edge securement, except gutters, installed in accordance with Section 1507, shall be designed in accordance with ANSI/SPRI ES-1, except the basic wind speed shall be determined from Figure 1609.”
(Note: The Figure 1609 wind speed map varies from the wind speed map in ANSI/SPRI ES-1 1998 in the hurricane coastal regions as the map in Figure 1609 was updated in 2003)
The ANSI/SPRI ES-1 document can be downloaded in its entirety for free from SPRI (www.spri.org/publications).
The majority of the United States has adopted some version of the IBC. Many states and municipalities have already or are scheduled to adopt the 2003 version of the IBC (www.iccsafe.org/government/adoption.html).
It is important to frequently check your local requirements because additional states, counties, and municipalities are in the process of adopting the 2003 IBC. Roofs with Edges designed and installed to meet ES-1 provide wind securement in the most vulnerable area of the roof, the edge.