ICC-ES eNews

ICC-ES Evaluation Committee Results

The ICC-ES Evaluation Committee met June 2-4, in Birmingham, Alabama, to consider new or revised acceptance criteria. Eighteen agenda items were approved. Among the highlights:

The 2009 International Codes have been revised for some products to require listing by an approved agency. These new requirements apply to sandwich panel adhesives under the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Sandwich Panel Adhesives (AC05), to clay and concrete roof tile under the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Clay and Concrete Tile (AC180), and to metal roof panels under the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Metal Roofing (AC166). For sandwich panel adhesives, listing of the adhesive to ASTM D 5505, and, for clay and concrete tile and metal roof covering, listing for roof classification are needed. Report holders under these three criteria will be required, beginning July 2010, to provide evidence of listing with an approved agency, and evidence of a contractual agreement with an accredited inspection agency for inspections to verify conformance to the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Quality Documentation (AC10).

AC381 — Subterranean Termite Baiting Systems
A new criteria was approved for requirements for systems used to protect wood floor framing and foam plastic insulation from damage from subterranean termites. The baiting systems involve three steps: (1) monitoring; (2) delivery of termite bait; and (3) resumption of monitoring after colony elimination.

AC37 — Vinyl Siding
Revisions were approved to update the criteria to the 2009 codes. A proposal for use of vinyl siding with foam plastic sheathing was held for further study to consider comments that were received regarding the factors of safety, and the loads that may be experienced by the gypsum wallboard on the interior face of the wall.

AC377 — Spray-applied Foam Plastic Insulation
The Evaluation Committee approved revisions to AC377 to incorporate new requirements for recognition of foam plastic insulation installed in attics and crawl spaces without an ignition barrier, based on a new methodology developed by the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA). Further, a sunset date of June 1, 2010, was established for the comparative room corner and crawl space tests that are currently in the criteria; after that date, testing submitted to ICC-ES must be based on the new methodology. Evaluation reports that are based on the comparative room corner and crawl space tests will need to be revised by December 31, 2010.

An alternate proposal to the SPFA test method was discussed. The industry group was encouraged to continue development of the alternate method and to offer a revision for consideration at a future Evaluation Committee meeting.

The acceptance criteria was also revised to expand the maximum density for low-density insulation from 1.0 pcf to 1.4 pcf.

AC12 — Foam Plastic Insulation
Revisions were approved by the Evaluation Committee to add the new test methodology developed by SPFA for qualifying foam plastic insulation for installation in attics and crawl spaces without an ignition barrier as a third option for this purpose; to recognize ASTM C 578-08 as acceptable for compliance under the 2006 International Codes; to include requirements for unfaced, preformed, rigid cellular polyisocyanurate products complying with ASTM C 591; and to clarify requirements for quality control testing of extruded polystyrene (XPS) such that flexural strength tests are no longer required for XPS.

Securing of Steel Bar Reinforcement with Plastic Clips — The Evaluation Committee considered whether an acceptance criteria on these products should be considered by ICC-ES under its mandate to evaluate products that are covered by the International Codes. Given the concurrence of the committee, ICC-ES will be working with the proponent to develop a new criteria for these products.

Several new acceptance criteria for proprietary structural products were approved. AC409 was approved for Composite Cold-formed Light-gage Steel and Masonry Lintels; AC413 was approved for Steel Cable and Fitting Assemblies for Seismic Sway Bracing of Nonstructural Components; and AC414 was approved for Mechanical Pinned Splices for Precast Prestressed Concrete Piles.