1. Craig H. Wagner, P.E. Chief Engineer – Certification Services
Codes And Plastic Lumber - Deck And Railing
Craig H. Wagner, P.E. Chief Engineer – Certification Services
It is my pleasure to deliver a session on:
Code Compliance: Certification and the Certification Mark

2. Joined ATI (Intertek) in 1999 Member ICC, ASTM, AISC
Biography
35+ years experience
20 years – Engineering firm in Baltimore involving design, inspection, testing, forensics, expert testimony and standards development
Joined ATI (Intertek) in 1999
Member ICC, ASTM, AISC
Active in code and technical committees with various industry associations
Craig H. Wagner, P.E.
Chief Engineer
Just for the record, I did not go to Medical school…..

3. Intertek Introduction Building Codes – Fundamental Understanding
Overview
Intertek Introduction
Building Codes – Fundamental Understanding
Code Requirements
Product Testing
Special Considerations
Quality Control and Inspections
Certification Mark

4. Intertek Global Footprint
Over 100 countries, 1,000
locations & 41,000 employees

5. US - B & C Footprint
100+ Labs / Offices

6. Building Products – North America
2014 Architectural Testing > Intertek
A complete testing and certification organization independently accredited by IAS for all fundamental areas of service to the building products industry
ISO/IEC accredited Testing and Calibration Laboratories
ISO/IEC accredited Certification Body
ISO/IEC accredited Inspection Body
All major disciplines of building product testing and evaluation:
Structural, Fire, Thermal, Acoustical, Blast, Materials, etc.
Traditional product certification (listing & labeling) to individual standards
Research Reports for building code compliance
Florida state Evaluation Agency
Leadership in certification and code compliance evaluation:
Mike Beaton, P.E. – V.P. of Certification Services, L.A.
Craig Wagner, P.E. – Chief Engineer of Certification Services, York, PA
Kal Kooner, P.Eng – Director of Certification Services N.A., Intertek Vancouver, B.C.

7. BUILDING CODES

8. Building Codes
Building Codes are government's laws and ordinances enacted through legislation to facilitate the regulation of building construction for the purpose of protecting life, safety and welfare of the public
Building Codes are established and enacted at the state level
Powers reserved for the states / U.S. Constitution 10th amendment
Codes establish “minimum” requirements
States may, and commonly will, allow adoption and modification of State Code by lower jurisdictions (counties, cities or other municipalities)

9. Model Building Codes
Model Codes are developed by nongovernmental organizations through interaction with construction industry experts representing government, labor, manufacturers, design professionals, developers, etc.
The International Code Council (ICC) develops model codes.
Building Codes (Ordinances) are established by adoption of “Model Codes” through legislation.
Model Codes are adopted in whole or in part and adopted by reference or by republishing in entirety.
The Model Codes adopted throughout the United States are:
The International Building Code (IBC) and,
The International Residential Code (IRC)
Unless otherwise specified, the code requirements and references made throughout this presentation are with respect to the model codes.

10. CODE REQUIREMENTS

11. 2015 IBC - International Building Code
Building Codes
Model Codes
2015 IBC - International Building Code
2015 IRC - International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings
State Codes of Significance
2014 Florida Building Code Additional requirements for approved plastics
North Carolina State Building Code Proposed changes pending code development process
My goal is to discuss the following objectives from a very practical and relevant business perspective with he intention of getting to the heart of why any of us go to a lab like the one we are in today and spend hard earned money testing our products, often to the breaking point.
What is Certification?
And why put ourselves through the process
Testing, listing, and research reports
What’s the difference and when would we consider one vs the other?
When is certification needed?
Exactly who is this AHJ guy, anyway??
Importance of accreditation
Is that a real Rolex you’re wearing?
Certification marks and what they represent
Trust is the bottom line here. Your trust and want your clients to trust you. “What do they call the guy that graduates last in Med School?”.

12. Handrails Grasping for guidance or support
Terminology
Guardrails (Guards) - Open walking surfaces elevated more than 30" above grade or lower floor
Decks, porches, balconies
Open sided stairs and landings
Handrails Grasping for guidance or support
Stairs and Ramps
Separate or top rail of guard
Grab Bars Accessibility requirements
Support body weight - toilets, tubs & showers
Fence – Pools and Spas (Barrier)

13. Terminology
Guard
Handrail
Grab Bar

14. Dimensional Requirements
Handrails
Dimensional Requirements
Height: 34 to 38 in. measured vertically from leading edge of the stair nosing or the landing
Handrail Graspability
Diameter 1.25” – 2” or, perimeter dimension of 4” – 6.25” with a max. dimension of 2.25 in.
ADA Slightly Different From Building Code
1.25” – 1.5” or equal gripping surface.
My goal is to discuss the following objectives from a very practical and relevant business perspective with he intention of getting to the heart of why any of us go to a lab like the one we are in today and spend hard earned money testing our products, often to the breaking point.
What is Certification?
And why put ourselves through the process
Testing, listing, and research reports
What’s the difference and when would we consider one vs the other?
When is certification needed?
Exactly who is this AHJ guy, anyway??
Importance of accreditation
Is that a real Rolex you’re wearing?
Certification marks and what they represent
Trust is the bottom line here. Your trust and want your clients to trust you. “What do they call the guy that graduates last in Med School?”.

15. 200 lbs. Concentrated load at any location and in any direction.
Handrails
Design Loads
200 lbs. Concentrated load at any location and in any direction.
50 plf. Uniformly distributed load in any direction.
Not required for one- and two-family dwellings (IRC)
Test plan must consider worse case loading conditions for lineal handrail elements and brackets
Normally requires multiple tests for multiple load cases
My goal is to discuss the following objectives from a very practical and relevant business perspective with he intention of getting to the heart of why any of us go to a lab like the one we are in today and spend hard earned money testing our products, often to the breaking point.
What is Certification?
And why put ourselves through the process
Testing, listing, and research reports
What’s the difference and when would we consider one vs the other?
When is certification needed?
Exactly who is this AHJ guy, anyway??
Importance of accreditation
Is that a real Rolex you’re wearing?
Certification marks and what they represent
Trust is the bottom line here. Your trust and want your clients to trust you. “What do they call the guy that graduates last in Med School?”.

16. Dimensional Requirements Minimum overall height of guards = 42 in.
Guardrails (Guards)
Dimensional Requirements
Minimum overall height of guards = 42 in.
Exception: one- and two-family dwellings (36" / IRC)
Openings < 4” up to 34” height and, < 8” above 34”
Exception: Stairs clearance beneath rail < 6“ diameter
Handrail graspability when the top rail serves as handrail in locations where a handrail is required
Secondary rail required for handrail when top rail of guard does not meet graspability requirements
My goal is to discuss the following objectives from a very practical and relevant business perspective with he intention of getting to the heart of why any of us go to a lab like the one we are in today and spend hard earned money testing our products, often to the breaking point.
What is Certification?
And why put ourselves through the process
Testing, listing, and research reports
What’s the difference and when would we consider one vs the other?
When is certification needed?
Exactly who is this AHJ guy, anyway??
Importance of accreditation
Is that a real Rolex you’re wearing?
Certification marks and what they represent
Trust is the bottom line here. Your trust and want your clients to trust you. “What do they call the guy that graduates last in Med School?”.

17. 50 lbs. concentrated load at any location (12” x 12”)
Guardrails (Guards)
Design Loads
50 lbs. concentrated load at any location (12” x 12”)
200 lbs. concentrated load at any location and in any direction along top rail
50 plf. Uniformly distributed load in any direction.
Not required for one- and two-family dwellings (IRC)
Requires multiple tests for multiple load cases
My goal is to discuss the following objectives from a very practical and relevant business perspective with he intention of getting to the heart of why any of us go to a lab like the one we are in today and spend hard earned money testing our products, often to the breaking point.
What is Certification?
And why put ourselves through the process
Testing, listing, and research reports
What’s the difference and when would we consider one vs the other?
When is certification needed?
Exactly who is this AHJ guy, anyway??
Importance of accreditation
Is that a real Rolex you’re wearing?
Certification marks and what they represent
Trust is the bottom line here. Your trust and want your clients to trust you. “What do they call the guy that graduates last in Med School?”.

18. Design Loads For Decks and Balconies
Deck Boards
Design Loads For Decks and Balconies
Live Load Same As Occupancy Served
40 psf Residential
100 psf covers all typical uses
300 lbs. concentrated Load on Stair Treads – applied to 2” x 2” area at any location
Worse case is normally mid-span at the leading edge of the stair tread
Difficult to meet with typical 1” nominal deck boards at typical stair construction spans (36” stair width with 3 stringers = 18” tread span). Excessive deflection is very common in testing. Often requires special tread installation that provides additional support.
My goal is to discuss the following objectives from a very practical and relevant business perspective with he intention of getting to the heart of why any of us go to a lab like the one we are in today and spend hard earned money testing our products, often to the breaking point.
What is Certification?
And why put ourselves through the process
Testing, listing, and research reports
What’s the difference and when would we consider one vs the other?
When is certification needed?
Exactly who is this AHJ guy, anyway??
Importance of accreditation
Is that a real Rolex you’re wearing?
Certification marks and what they represent
Trust is the bottom line here. Your trust and want your clients to trust you. “What do they call the guy that graduates last in Med School?”.

19. Section 2612 Plastic Composites:
IBC Chapter 26 - Plastic
Section 2612 Plastic Composites:
Applies to wood/plastic composites and plastic lumber
Deck boards, stair treads, handrails and guards > ASTM D 7032, Standard Specification for Establishing Performance Ratings for Wood-Plastic Composite Deck Boards and Guardrail Systems (Guards or Handrails)
Requires a Label as evidence of conformance with the code that incudes identification of an approved agency. i.e. Certification
My goal is to discuss the following objectives from a very practical and relevant business perspective with he intention of getting to the heart of why any of us go to a lab like the one we are in today and spend hard earned money testing our products, often to the breaking point.
What is Certification?
And why put ourselves through the process
Testing, listing, and research reports
What’s the difference and when would we consider one vs the other?
When is certification needed?
Exactly who is this AHJ guy, anyway??
Importance of accreditation
Is that a real Rolex you’re wearing?
Certification marks and what they represent
Trust is the bottom line here. Your trust and want your clients to trust you. “What do they call the guy that graduates last in Med School?”.

20. Additional Requirements Not Directly Specified By Code
ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria For Deck Board Span Ratings And Guardrail Systems, AC174
Historically needed for evaluation as an alternative material.
Still required by many building officials throughout the U.S.
Mostly covered by ASTM D 7032

21. Proposed Changes to North Carolina Building Code for Guardrails
Code Developments
Proposed Changes to North Carolina Building Code for Guardrails
Openings must resist passage of a 4 inch sphere with a minimum force of 50 lbs.
Maximum clearance from deck shall not exceed 2 inches.

22. Plastic Composites Code Permitted Uses
Building Code Construction Types And Permitted Uses For Plastic Composites

23. Construction Types
General: Type I and II – Building elements are noncombustible Type III – Exterior walls are noncombustible Type IV – Heavy Timber Type V – Any material permitted by the code …except as allowed elsewhere in the code

24. Permitted Uses / Construction Types
Alt. to Wood
AC174
Type VB
Other Types per IBC
2015 IBC
Code Recognized Material IBC 2612
ASTM D 7032
Code Permitted
Type VB and, Type III, IV & V (sprinkler protected)
Type I & II per IBC
History
Current

25. Combustible Materials in Noncombustible Construction
SECTION 603 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL IN TYPES I AND II CONSTRUCTION Allowable materials. Combustible materials shall be permitted in buildings of Type I or II construction in the following applications and… 13. Combustible exterior wall coverings, balconies and similar projections and bay or oriel windows in accordance with Chapter 14. SECTION 1406 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF EXTERIOR WALLS General. Section 1406 shall apply to exterior wall coverings; balconies and similar projections; and bay and oriel windows constructed of combustible materials.

26. IBC Section
Balconies and similar projections. Balconies and similar projections of combustible construction other than fire-retardant-treated wood shall be fire- resistance rated where required by Table 601 for floor construction or shall be of Type IV construction in accordance with Section The aggregate length of the projections shall not exceed 50 percent of the building’s perimeter on each floor. Exceptions: 1. Allows FRT wood on buildings of Type I and II construction (with limitations) 2. Untreated wood is permitted for pickets and rails or similar guardrail devices that are limited to 42 inches (1067 mm) in height. 3. Balconies and similar projections on buildings of Type III, IV and V construction shall be permitted to be of Type V construction, and shall not be required to have a fire-resistance rating where sprinkler protection is extended to these areas. 4. Sprinkler protection exempts length limitation.

27. 2015 IBC - NEW
SECTION 1410 PLASTIC COMPOSITE DECKING Plastic composite decking. Exterior deck boards, stair treads, handrails and guardrail systems constructed of plastic composites, including plastic lumber, shall comply with Section SECTION 2612 PLASTIC COMPOSITES Construction requirements. Plastic composites shall be permitted to be used as exterior deck boards, stair treads, handrails and guards in buildings of Type VB construction.

28. 2015 IBC explicitly permits use for Type VB construction.
Summary
2015 IBC explicitly permits use for Type VB construction.
IBC permits use in Type III, IV and V construction w.o./fire-resistance rating where sprinkler protection is provided. Section Exception 3.
Use in buildings of construction Type I & II must be recognized as approved alternatives to wood. Section Exception 2.
Guardrails only. Does not apply to floor const. (i.e. decking)

29. PRODUCT TESTING

30. Testing – End Use Factors
Tests for strength and stiffness of structural elements conditioned for end use evaluation. Properties compared with values from same tests at standard laboratory conditions
Temperature and Moisture Effect – Physical tests at - 20°F, +125°F and, after moisture cycling
Weathering / UV Resistance – Physical tests after hours of accelerated weathering exposure
Freeze-Thaw Resistance – Three cycles of 24 hrs. water submersion → 24 hrs. freezing → 24 hrs. room temperature

31. Adjustment Factors For End Use Evaluation
Adjustment factors applied to structural performance ratings or test loads to account for end use conditions effect on material properties.
Temperature and Moisture Effect - Most restrictive effect taken from temp and moisture (not both)
For deck boards performance rating reduced for most restrictive effect.
For Guardrails, test loads increased for most restrictive effect in excess of 25%
UV and Freeze-Thaw Resistance
For deck boards, performance rating reduced for amount of loss exceeding 10%
For Guardrails, test loads increased for amount of loss exceeding 10%

32. Additional Material Tests
Fire Performance / ASTM E 84 Flame Spread ≤ 200
Termite and Decay Resistance – required for products containing wood, cellulosic, or other biodegradable materials.
Resistance to Formosan termites tested in accordance with ASTM D3345 or AWPA E1
Fungal decay tests in accordance with ASTM D2017, D1413, or APWA E10
Tested concurrently with wood control specimens - shall be at least equivalent to pressure treated or naturally durable wood.
My goal is to discuss the following objectives from a very practical and relevant business perspective with he intention of getting to the heart of why any of us go to a lab like the one we are in today and spend hard earned money testing our products, often to the breaking point.
What is Certification?
And why put ourselves through the process
Testing, listing, and research reports
What’s the difference and when would we consider one vs the other?
When is certification needed?
Exactly who is this AHJ guy, anyway??
Importance of accreditation
Is that a real Rolex you’re wearing?
Certification marks and what they represent
Trust is the bottom line here. Your trust and want your clients to trust you. “What do they call the guy that graduates last in Med School?”.

33. Testing For Guardrails Per AC174
Structural Performance of Guardrails – Minimum unadjusted ultimate test loads are 2.5 x design loads
125 lb. on balusters, in-fill panels and intermediate rails
500 lb. concentrated load at mid-span of the top rail.
125 plf distributed along the entire top rail
1000 lb. / 8-ft. Rail
1250 lb. / 10-ft. Rail
500 lb. minimum concentrated load at brackets and top of support posts. (Higher if rail length exceeds 8-ft and use not limited to 1 & 2 family dwellings)
All test loads shown above must be increased by applicable End Use Adjustment Factors

34. Testing for Guardrails Per AC174
Infill Load Test
Concentrated Top Rail Load Test – Mid-span
Uniform Top Rail Load Test - Horizontal
Uniform Top Rail Load Test - Vertical
Concentrated Top Rail Load Test - Brackets

35. Additional Requirements Not Directly Specified By Code
ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria For Handrails and Guards, AC273
Used to evaluate metal and wood components
Not necessarily enforced but could be required by building officials

36. Testing For Guardrails Per AC273
Structural Performance of Guardrails – Test loads are 2.5 x design loads
125 lb. applied over a 1 sq. ft. area on balusters, in-fill panels or intermediate rails
125 plf maximum uniform load along the entire top rail
Tested vertically and horizontally (New June 2017)
500 lb. concentrated load at mid-span of the top rail and at end rail adjacent to bracket.
500 lb. minimum concentrated load on post (Higher load if rail length exceeds 8-ft and use not limited to 1 & 2 family dwellings)

37. Testing For Guardrails Per AC273
New Requirements Effective June 2017
Deflection limit applies to uniform load case as well as concentrated load
Top rail net deflection (between posts)
Total Defl ≤ H/24 + L/96 or H/12
Net Defl ≤ L/96
3.0 Safety factor for wood components

38. Testing for Guardrail Per AC273
Infill Load Test
Uniform Load Top Rail Load Test
Concentrated Top Rail Load Test at Mid-span
Concentrated Top Rail Load Test - Brackets
Concentrated Load Test on Support Post

39. Special Considerations
Weathering / UV Resistance
AC174 requires testing each different color.
Reasoning – UV inhibitor content in material compounds commonly varies with color
FBC HVHZ (Dade and Broward County) – Approved Plastics
ASTM D 1929 Self-Ignition Temperature
ASTM D 635 Flammability
ASTM D 638 Rate of Burn
4500 hours of accelerated weathering followed by tensile and impact tests
No change in tensile properties exceeding 10%
No loss in impact resistance exceeding 25%

40. QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTIONS CERTIFICATION

41. Quality Control and Follow Up Inspections
Products manufactured under an approved quality control system
On-going QC tests required to verify threshold values are maintained consistent with originally tested product
Unannounced inspections quarterly by Intertek
Periodic verification testing by Intertek
Samples selected during quarterly inspections
Flexural tests by Intertek in accordance with ASTM D 6109 and compared with values obtained in original product qualification tests

42. Product Label – Certification Marks
Certified products are identified by a mark of conformity (aka certification mark) included with the product labeling.
Certification body authorizes and controls use of the mark.
Certified products are listed on the agencies web based directory

43. Code Compliance Research Report (CCRR)

44. Code Compliance Research Report Requirements
Testing establishes performance in compliance with code requirements.
Quality Control assures the product being produced is the product that was tested and qualified for code compliance.
Independent Inspections (Quality Assurance) verify that the product produced and labeled is the same as the product tested and evaluated.
Mark Of Conformity – Intertek certification mark identifies the product as code compliant

45. Craig Wagner craig.wagner@intertek.com (717) 764-7700
Thank You!
Craig Wagner
(717)