Edge Securement for Low-Slope Roofs

TECH TIPS

Edge Securement for Low-Slope Roofs Providing compete construction specifications By Elias Saltz, CSI, CCS, SCIP documentation, systems and performance Background Edge Systems descriptions, and risk and quality advisory services. One of the most common ways that Edge securement systems generally low-slope roofs (roofs with slope less are available in two configurations: A CSI Award-Winning than 2:12) fail is for wind to tear off fascia systems and copings. Fasicae, Publication the edge metal fascia or coping, also called gravel stops, are installed leaving the membrane unprotected on roof edge conditions where there is against blow-off. Having recognized no parapet wall. The metal roof edge Conspectus's Tech Tips received the this avenue for failure, the securement system turns down the national Communications Award from International Building Code, wall and a decorative metal cover is the Construction Specifications Institute. beginning in the 2006 edition, applied over the securement. To requires all low-slope roofs to have resist wind uplift, these systems ABSTRACT: edge securement devices designed usually feature continuous cleats or Low-slope roof edge systems must be and installed to resist site-specific retainers that are installed over and designed and installed to resist wind wind loads. These devices, be they fastened through the membrane into loads and must be tested to ensure copings or fasciae, must be tested for the roof edge blocking. The fascia they comply with the building code. A wind resistance in accordance with component, which is decorative, is variety of configurations and methods methods published in ANSI/SPRI/FM clipped to the retainer. It's important of manufacture for tested roof edge systems are available. Understanding 4435/ES-1. to note that the membrane must turn the available choices may help the down the face of the wall, allowing the decision process. SPRI ES-1 was originally published retainer to engage the membrane and by the Single Ply Roofing Industry help resist uplift forces. FILING: and approved by ANSI in 1998 as a UniFormat™ consensus standard in response to The diagram below shows a B3010 - Roofing the growing popularity of single-ply manufactured fascia system that B3010.90 - Roofing Supplementary roof systems and the realization that features an extruded retainer; some Components roof edge terminations were a weak tested fascia systems use a formed MasterFormat® component in those systems. metal cleat instead. 07 62 00 - Sheet Metal Flashing and Trim 07 71 00 - Roof Specialties

KEYWORDS: Roofing, coping, fascia, ES-1, wind, uplift

REFERENCES: International Building Code, 2015 edition. ANSI/SPRI/FM 4435/ES-1, 2011. TECH TIPS

Metal copings are roof edge Sheet metal flashing specifications  Some manufacturers offer securement systems that are installed allow roofing installers' metal shops to appealing design features like on top of parapet walls. They feature form sheet metal into edge systems, reveal profiles, curves, welded either wind-resistant clips while roof specialties refer to pre- corners, and watertight joints intermittently installed or a continuous manufactured systems that can be  Profiles will be very consistent cleat that is fastened to parapet wall selected by the architect from across entire roof blocking. A decorative metal coping available manufacturers' products or cap is installed over the clip or cleat. private labeled by the roofing Cons of Manufactured Systems: The bottom of the outside (exposed) membrane manufacturer. Either way,  Configurations are not unlimited face of the coping cap is hooked over code mandates that they be designed so selections must be made early a concealed lip of the cleat and the and installed and tested for wind and included in design back is either fastened directly to resistance. documents blocking or hooked to the cleat as well. Conclusion Pros of Shop-Fabricated Systems:  A larger variety of configurations Like with fascia, the roof membrane may be achievable must wrap up and over the parapet There are numerous factors in play  Local to project site wall so that the securement system when it comes to selecting the edge engages the membrane. The securement system, beginning with Cons of Shop-Fabricated Systems: membrane turning down the wall may performance and appearance, and  ES-1 testing is mandatory for also connect to the air/water barrier. followed by several pros and cons for each type: every roof edge configuration and many roofing companies will not The diagram below shows a have testing apparatus or the manufactured coping system that Pros of Manufactured Systems: financial means to run the tests. features an intermittent cleat under a  All manufactured systems being snap-on coping without back-side marketed have ES-1 test reports,  There are a limited number of fasteners. and multiple configurations and pretested configurations materials are available  Profiles may be inconsistent Shop-Fabricated or  Systems that are private labeled depending on braking equipment Premanufactured by roofing membrane and thickness of material manufacturers can be included in  Most copings have continuous their total system warranties Edge securement systems can be cleats which require more labor to specified in Section 07 62 00 - Sheet  Some systems carry FM install Metal Flashing and Trim or in Section approvals and are listed in 07 71 00 - Roof Specialties. RoofNav. Add Your Comments We invite your comments. Visit our blog and add your comments.

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The information contained in this document is offered for educational purposes, only, and not as technical advice suitable for any particular project or specific condition. Technical consulting is unique to the facts of a particular condition, and Conspectus recommends that a specialist be consulted to determine solutions for each specific condition.