ICC F14 Roofing Contractor Exam (2015 IBC/IRC/IPC)

Based on the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code

Key Concepts

Referenced codes and standards (IBC 101.4, 102.4) - Fuel Gas Code: gas piping systems from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances (IBC 101.4.1). - Mechanical Code: installation, alterations, repairs and replacement of mechanical systems — ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment and appurtenances (IBC 101.4.2). - Property Maintenance Code: existing structures and premises; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants (IBC 101.4.4). - Existing Building Code: repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings (IBC 101.4.7). - Standards are part of the code only "to the prescribed extent of each such reference" (IBC 102.4). Code–standard conflict → the code applies (102.4.1). If the reference reaches subject matter within the scope of this code or the I-Codes in 101.4 → those codes take precedence (102.4.2). "Most restrictive governs" applies only between different sections of this code (102.1).

Building official authority - Policies and procedures may clarify but shall not waive requirements specifically provided for in this code (IBC 104.1). - Expert opinion on unusual technical issues: subject to approval of the appointing authority (IBC 104.4). - Department records: applications received, permits and certificates issued, fees collected, reports of inspections, notices and orders (IBC 104.7). Annual-permit alteration records are kept by the permit holder (IBC 105.1.2). - Used materials are permitted where they meet code requirements for new materials (IBC 104.9.1). - Modifications for individual cases with practical difficulties: IBC 104.10. The board of appeals shall not waive code requirements (IBC 113.2). - IRC: permit issuance does not prevent requiring correction of errors in construction documents (R105.4); permit may be suspended/revoked when issued in error or on incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information (R105.6).

Key Concepts

Weather protection (IBC 1503). Metal flashing at wall/roof intersections, gutters, slope changes and roof openings must be corrosion resistant, not less than 0.019 inch (No. 26 galvanized sheet) — 1503.2.1. A cricket or saddle is required on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration greater than 30 inches wide measured perpendicular to the slope — 1503.6. Secondary (emergency overflow) scuppers shall not have an opening dimension of less than 4 inches — 1503.4.2; IRC R903.4.1 adds that overflow scuppers be three times the size of the roof drains, minimum opening height 4 inches, inlet flow line 2 inches above the low point. Exterior gutters and leaders (other than Group R-3, private garages, Type V) must be noncombustible or a minimum of Schedule 40 plastic pipe — 1503.4.3.

Performance (IBC 1504). Asphalt shingles tested to ASTM D7158; those outside its scope tested/labeled to ASTM D3161 — 1504.1.1 (IRC R905.2.4.1). Low-slope (<2:12) coverings must show integrity at 2,000 hours of accelerated weathering per ASTM G152, G155 or G154 — 1504.6. Metal edge securement, except gutters, is tested to ANSI/SPRI ES-1 Methods RE-1, RE-2, RE-3 — 1504.5. Aggregate surfacing and gravel/stone ballast are prohibited on any building in a hurricane-prone region — 1504.8.

Fire classification (IBC 1505). Class A includes minimum 16 ounce per square foot copper sheets over combustible decks — 1505.2 Exc. 3. Special purpose wood shingle/shake roofs need 5/8-inch Type X water-resistant gypsum backing board or sheathing under minimum nominal 1/2-inch wood structural panel sheathing — 1505.7. Roof gardens install per ANSI/SPRI VF-1 — 1505.10. Table 1505.1 footnote c allows No. 1 cedar/redwood shakes on buildings not more than two stories above grade plane, not more than 6,000 sq ft projected roof area, with 10-foot fire-separation distance (footnote b: 6 feet for nonclassified on R-3/U). IRC R902.1 requires Class A, B or C where the roof edge is less than 3 feet from a lot line.

Coverings (IBC 1507 / IRC R905). Bulk shipments need a manufacturer's certificate or bill of lading — 1506.3.

Key Concepts

Flashing. Flashing is required at wall and roof intersections, at gutters, wherever there is a change in roof slope or direction, and around roof openings; where metal, it must be corrosion resistant with a thickness of not less than 0.019 inch (No. 26 galvanized sheet) — IBC 1503.2.1 (IRC R903.2.1 uses the same 0.019 inch).

Crickets and saddles. Required on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration greater than 30 inches wide measured perpendicular to the slope; coverings shall be sheet metal or of the same material as the roof covering. Properly flashed unit skylights are excepted — IBC 1503.6; IRC R903.2.2.

Scuppers and secondary drainage. Scuppers used for secondary (emergency overflow) drainage shall not have an opening dimension of less than 4 inches, and their quantity, size, location and inlet elevation must prevent ponding beyond the design depth of Section 1611.1; flow through the primary system shall not be considered when locating and sizing scuppers — IBC 1503.4.2 (same 4-inch minimum and no-credit rule in IPC 1108.3). Roof drainage design and installation must comply with IBC Section 1503 and IPC Sections 1106 and 1108, as applicable — IBC 1503.4 and 1503.4.1.

IRC overflow rule. Overflow drains having the same size as the roof drains are installed with the inlet flow line 2 inches above the low point of the roof; overflow scuppers must have three times the size of the roof drains, a minimum opening height of 4 inches, and inlet flow 2 inches above the low point served — IRC R903.4.1.

Gutters. Gutters and leaders on the outside of buildings, other than Group R-3, private garages and buildings of Type V construction, shall be noncombustible or a minimum of Schedule 40 plastic pipe — IBC 1503.4.3. Low-slope built-up, modified bitumen and single-ply metal edge securement, except gutters, must be tested to ANSI/SPRI ES-1 Test Methods RE-1, RE-2 and RE-3 — IBC 1504.5.

2015 IBC Section 1511 (commercial) and 2015 IRC Section R908 (dwellings)

Key Concepts

Scope and parallel citations. Commercial work is governed by IBC 2015 Section 1511; dwelling work by IRC 2015 Section R908. The rules track each other almost word for word, but the section numbers do not — know both.

Minimum design slope exemption. - IBC 2015, Section 1511.1, Exception 1: roof replacement or roof recover of existing low-slope roof coverings is not required to meet the minimum design slope of one-quarter unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent slope) required by Section 1507, provided the roof provides positive roof drainage. - IRC 2015, Section R908.1, Exception 1: same exemption from the one-quarter unit vertical in 12 (2-percent slope) minimum required by Section R905.

Secondary (emergency overflow) drainage exemption. - IBC 2015, Section 1511.1, Exception 2: for roofs providing positive drainage, recover or replacement does not require secondary drains or scuppers to be added — but existing secondary drainage or scupper systems required by the code shall not be removed unless replaced by secondary drains or scuppers designed and installed per Section 1503.4. - IRC 2015, Section R908.1, Exception 2: secondary (emergency overflow) drains or scuppers of Section R903.4.1 are not required to be added to an existing positively draining roof. The exemption turns on positive drainage, not on whether the covering is torn off.

Structural load capacity. IBC 2015, Section 1511.2: structural roof components shall be capable of supporting the roof-covering system and the material and equipment loads that will be encountered during installation of the system. This applies to every reroofing project, including recovers left in place.

Roof replacement = total tear-off. IBC 2015, Section 1511.3 (and IRC 2015, Section R908.3): roof replacement includes removal of all existing layers of roof coverings down to the roof deck. Exception: an existing ice barrier membrane adhered to the roof deck may remain in place where it is covered with an additional layer of ice barrier membrane installed per Section 1507 (IBC) / Section R905 (IRC).