Q: | How do I receive building code recognition for my building product? |
A: | If an ICC-ES™ Acceptance Criteria does not exist, you would need to talk to a code
evaluator (ATI-ES
or ICC-ES) to determine what testing would be required.
If an ICC-ES™ Acceptance Criteria does exist, we can evaluate your building product based
on the requirements of the ICC-ES™ Acceptance Criteria. The code compliance process is three-fold:
Testing
- have independent sample selection performed by accredited testing laboratory or inspection agency
- have testing performed by accredited testing laboratory
- receive a test report
Certification
- develop and implement a quality program
- receive approval of the quality program by an accredited inspection agency
- have on-going, independent audits performed by an accredited inspection agency
Code Evaluation
- submit test report to code evaluator
- submit quality program documentation to code evaluator
Architectural Testing is fully accredited to perform all functions required to grant code recognition for your product. |
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Q: | How do I receive approval for my building product for use in Canada? |
A: | Contact Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC)
to request a Technical
Guide which specifies required tests for your specific building product. After
receiving a Technical Guide, Architectural Testing can perform the required testing
and submit a test report for CCMC's review. CCMC offers a national evaluation service
for all types of innovative construction materials, products, systems and services
based on the requirements of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). |
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Q: | What are model building codes? |
A: | Model building codes are developed and maintained by a standards organization (e.g. International Code Council) independent
of the jurisdiction responsible for enacting the building code (e.g. State of Florida). Model building codes can be adopted by
legislative bodies as the official building code for their jurisdiction. The International Building Code (IBC) is an example of
a model building code that has been adopted throughout most of the United States. |
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Q: | What testing do I need to have performed on my building product? |
A: | When you provide us with your product's details, Architectural Testing can determine the test standard that is best suited for your particular building product.
For a full product evaluation, Architectural Testing generally recommends testing per
methods contained in the following standards and ICC-ES™ Acceptance Criteria (AC):
- Deck Boards – AC174, AC109, ASTM D 7032
- Guardrails (railings, handrails)
- Plastic-based (PVC, wood-plastic composite, etc.) – AC174, ASTM D 7032
- Wood, metal with proprietary fastening method – AC273
- Privacy fence – Miami-Dade requirements for high velocity hurricane zone
- Wall systems – AC04, AC15, ASTM E 72
- Columns / porch posts – AC265 or methods thereof
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Q: | Can I ship my product directly to Architectural Testing? |
A: | If you would like to have testing conducted per an ICC-ES™ Acceptance Criteria, test samples must be independently selected by an
accredited testing laboratory or inspection agency as required by Section 3.1 of ICC-ES™ AC85. Architectural Testing is fully accredited
to perform all functions required to grant code recognition for your product.
Independent sample selection is not required by Miami-Dade or most ASTM standards.
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Q: | Should I have my metal railings tested per ASTM E 985 / E 935? |
A: | It depends on the specifier's requirements. Testing per ASTM E 985 / E 935 is typically referenced in an architect's specifications,
so certain projects may require testing per these standards. However, it is important to recognize that this testing is entirely different
than testing required by the International Building Code (IBC). In other words, meeting the requirements of the ASTM E 985 / E 935 standards
does not in any way signify compliance with the building code; building code test requirements are more stringent. That being said, however
, architects typically do not accept testing per the IBC either.
In order to have a fully marketable product, it may be beneficial to consider having your metal railings tested for the requirements of both
the IBC and ASTM E 985 / E 935.
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Q: | How soon can my product be tested? |
A: | Please contact us for current schedule information. |
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Q: | My company offers guardrails (railings) in a variety of lengths and heights. Can I test just the longest and highest
railings to qualify all configurations? |
A: | Yes, as long as all guardrail components of each configuration are otherwise identical.
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Q: | What are the guardrail (railing) test requirements for "commercial" applications? |
A: | The International Building Code (IBC) does not use the word "commercial", though the industry understands and commonly
refers to construction types other than Group R, or residential, as "commercial" applications.
If your guardrail (railing) product is evaluated per ICC-ES™ AC174, three complete guardrail (railing) systems shall be subjected to and pass the following, in order:
- in-fill load test (balusters, i.e. pickets and spindles)
- uniform load test on top rail
- concentrated load test
- mid-span of top rail
- end of top rail (bracket)
- top of structural post mount (if applicable)
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Q: | What are the guardrail (railing) test requirements for One- and Two-Family Dwelling applications? |
A: | The International Residential Code (IRC), as referenced by the International Building Code (IBC), contains the guardrail (railing)
requirements for residential (One- and Two-Family Dwellings) applications.
If your guardrail (railing) product is evaluated per ICC-ES™ AC174, three complete guardrail systems shall be subjected to and pass the following, in order:
- in-fill load test (balusters, i.e. pickets and spindles)
- concentrated load test
- mid-span of top rail
- end of top rail (bracket)
- top of structural post mount (if applicable)
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Q: | What are the guardrail (railing) test requirements for glass in-fill? |
A: | Section 2407.1.1 of the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) requires that glass panels and their supports be tested using a factor of
safety of 4.0 times the design load of 50 pounds per one square foot area.
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Q: | What are the deck board test requirements for "commercial" applications? |
A: | The International Building Code (IBC) does not use the word "commercial", though the industry understands and commonly
refers to construction types other than Group R, or residential, as "commercial" applications.
If your deck board product is evaluated per ICC-ES™ AC174, the sample size of fifteen deck boards shall be increased to twenty-eight
for both standard flexural tests and stair tread tests.
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Q: | Is Architectural Testing an accredited testing laboratory? |
A: | Yes, Architectural Testing is fully accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) as a testing laboratory
(TL-144).
Architectural Testing can also conduct testing that is not currently on the scope of accreditation. If you require that
the testing laboratory be accredited to a particular test method, Architectural Testing can obtain said accreditation; we regularly
add new test methods to our scope of accreditation. Please contact us for more information.
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Q: | What is required for a handrail to comply with the International Building Code (IBC) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? |
A: | Handrails have certain dimensional requirements, including graspability and clear space between the handrail and wall, as well as test load requirements
to evaluate the handrail, brackets, and bracket connection.
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Q: | What is the difference between a guardrail and a handrail? |
A: | A guardrail is intended to be a life safety device; a handrail is not. ICC-ES™ AC174 provides the following definitions:
- Guardrail – a building component or a system of building components located at or near the open side of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility
of a fall from the walking surface to a lower level
- Handrail – a horizontal or sloping rail intended for grasping by the hand for guidance or support
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Q: | What are the test requirements for PVC and composite privacy fences to be used in Miami-Dade (high velocity hurricane zone)? |
A: | Both material testing and wind load testing are required.
Wind load testing of three fully-assembled privacy fences is required for each configuration. According to the Florida Building Code, Building, privacy fences are
required to sustain "fastest-mile" wind speeds of 110 mph (equivalent to 3-second gusts of 130 mph). Condition of acceptance is no
disengagement of any component.
Per Miami-Dade's Checklist #0445 (Plastic and Foam Plastic), the following material tests may be required for PVC and/or composite materials:
- 4,500 hours of artificial weathering / ASTM G 155 and ASTM D 638
- Self- and flash-ignition temperature testing / ASTM D 1929
- Smoke density rating / ASTM D 2843 or ASTM E 84
- Rate of burn / ASTM D 635
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Q: | How do I qualify a post mount system per ICC-ES™ AC174? |
A: | A post mount is part of the structural system of a guardrail. As such, structural post mounts must be installed in a guardrail assembly and withstand all test loads
required by ICC-ES™ AC174.
The following design loads are required for the concentrated load test at the top of a post mount:
| Code Occupancy |
Minimum Required Design Load |
| IBC – All Use Groups |
Higher of 200 lb or 50 plf * |
| IRC – One- and Two-Family Dwellings |
200 lb |
* May be required due to tributary loads on an in line post mount resulting from
the uniform load case – relative to length of rail plus width of post |
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Q: | What is the deflection requirement associated with guardrail testing per ICC-ES™ AC174? |
A: | Deflection checks are only required for concentrated load tests. The net deflection (rail deflection relative
to post deflection) at design load (200 lb) shall not exceed either one of the following calculated allowable deflection limits:
 |
|
 |
| where, |
|
where, |
| h = sum of the rail height (inches)
l = effective rail length (inches)
(distance between vertical supports) |
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h = effective post height (inches)
(distance from top-of-post to first point of support or first
connector of the post to the supporting rim joist) |
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Q: | What is the coefficient of friction rating (slip resistance) requirement for the walking surface of a deck board? |
A: | DA rating of 0.50 is generally recognized as denoting a slip resistant walking surface. Though it is unclear when or who
first determined that this should be the acceptable threshold value, this is generally accepted as the "minimum" rating for a
slip resistant material
Most organizations and standards are not willing to declare that 0.50 is the required threshold. ANSI/ASSE A 1264.2-2006 and AAMA
2200 are about the only published specifications that state a required coefficient of friction (COF). Section 6.6, Slip Resistance, of
AAMA 2200 states that the static COF shall be greater than or equal to 0.5 when tested wet and dry and when tested in accordance with
ASTM F 1679.
Some additional information:
- Model building codes talk about slip resistance but do not specify a minimum rating (threshold)
- Neither ICC-ES™ AC174 nor ICC-ES™ AC109 requires slip resistance testing
- Both ASTM D 7031 and D 7032 mention that ASTM F 1679 is preferable to other methods of determining slip resistance, but they do not specify a threshold value
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires certain work surfaces to provide slip resistance but does not specify a method for determining
COF or a mandatory threshold value
- On the other hand, a 3/21/03 interpretation of OSHA's 1910.22 standard states that "A COF of 0.5 […] is recommended as a guide to achieve proper slip resistance. [However, a] higher COF may be necessary for certain work tasks, such as carrying objects, pushing or pulling objects, or walking up or down ramps"
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines reference OSHA regulations that recommend that walking surfaces have a static coefficient of friction of 0.5.
ADA guidelines go on to say that an Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) research project conducted
tests with person with disabilities and concluded that a higher coefficient of friction was needed by persons with disabilities. The Access
Board recommends a COF of 0.6 for accessible routes and 0.8 for ramps
- Case law historically substantiates a 0.5 rating as being slip resistant
- Research performed in 1991 by J.M. Miller (et al) at the University of Michigan states, "This value of 0.5 probably originated from
a 1951 National Bureau of Standards study which provided some early measurements of […] forces persons exerted while walking. But
beware, these measured […] values probably had a safety margin applied […]". Miller goes on to say that "it is well recognized that
the 0.5 consensus value has limited application because the required amount depends upon the task and the way it is performed"
There is an abundance of research and debate on the issue of slip resistance, but only ANSI/ASSE A 1264.2-2006 and AAMA 2200 require a
0.5 rating (when tested in accordance with ASTM F 1679). It is generally accepted that ASTM F 1679 provides the best measure of static
coefficient of friction and that a test material achieving a 0.5 rating (regardless of test method / equipment) is considered slip resistant.
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