Deck and Handrail Certification Program

	Deck and Handrail Certification Fast Facts
	Architectural Testing provides independent quality assurance of deck and handrail systems and components. Testing ensures that materials and systems meet ICC-ES AC174 requirements. Architectural Testing-approved logo ensures distributors, builders, engineers, and other end users that products are faithful reproductions of samples tested and rated to be in compliance.

Value

Structural performance of vinyl and composite deck and handrail systems or components is an important consideration for engineers, architects, specifiers, and building owners. The International Code Conference (ICC) requires comprehensive testing of components as part of ICC-ES AC174.  ICC-ES AC174 also requires third-party quality assurance agency verification of ongoing product compliance.

As the demand for deck and handrail products increases and ICC evaluation reports are required, the need for independent testing and certification will become more and more apparent.

Architectural Testing meets that need by providing independent quality assurance and ongoing validation of compliance to manufacturers who value certification of their deck and handrail systems and components.

This Certification provides several important benefits:

• Provides assurance to the user that products bearing the certification label are faithful reproductions of the samples that were independently tested and rated.
• It assures that the test parameters were consistent for all products bearing the certification label, thus providing a direct apples-to-apples comparison of performance.
• It ensures the user that participating manufacturers maintain a quality control program which is monitored by Architectural Testing for compliance with the program guidelines and that Architectural Testing conducts unannounced plant inspections and performance tests on randomly selected products on an ongoing basis.
  
  Architectural Testing validates the participating manufacturer's certification through:
• Initial review of the manufacturer's Quality Control Program.
• Evaluation of precertification test reports and data for compliance with minimum requirements.
• Ongoing manufacturing facility audits to determine continued compliance with program guidelines.
• Periodic random product selection and independent testing.

 

Participating Manufacturers:

Certification Seal: The Stamp of Approval

Manufacturers who satisfy the requirements of the certification program are licensed to apply the certification program labels to qualifying products. In addition, a web-based certified products list is maintained for reference by specifiers and potential buyers. Participating manufacturers are also permitted to use a facsimile of the program label in sales and marketing literature as approved by Architectural Testing.

By applying the certification program label, the manufacturer is certifying that the product bearing the label meets the requirements of the certification program and the rating listed is accurate for that product. Architectural Testing permits continued licensing of the participating manufacturer based upon demonstration by the manufacturer that certification is true as indicated by unannounced quality assurance inspections and product testing.

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