Standing Seam Spotlight: An Educational Resource for Metal Roofing Professionals

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!

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.)

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.

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

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.

Volume 1, Issue 1

In This Issue From the Editor: Welcome to the Standing Seam Spotlight Feature Article: Must Meet Building Code Code Compliance YOU are responsible for code compliance Non-compliance may result in personal liability Require wind load calculations per ASCE 7 Require submittal of ASTM E-1592 testing reports Require a wind uplift analysis by a registered engineer		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. © 2006 IMETCO (Innovative Metals Company, Inc.)*
For more information on this topic, please call IMETCO at 800-646-3826 or send an e-mail to learn@imetco.com. If you would like to schedule an onsite presentation or speak with a metal roofing specialist, please contact sales@imetco.com. 2070 Steel Drive Tucker, Georgia 30084 (800) 646-3826 www.imetco.com
Neither Innovative Metals Company, Inc. (IMETCO) nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty of any kind with respect to the materials and information contained herein. Although IMETCO attempts to provide accurate information, this bulletin is intended for general reference and informational purposes only. IMETCO assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content contained in, or directly accessible from, this bulletin, and makes no commitment to update such information. IMETCO shall not be liable for any damages relating to your use of, or reliance upon, this bulletin or any of its content.