About Building Product Testing
Duradek Ultra Meets Building Code Standards as a Walkable Roof Deck Membrane.
Why is Product Testing Important?
Duradek, the original vinyl waterproof membrane is the MOST tested vinyl on the market today for sundecks, balconies and flat roof decks. With ongoing research and development and consistent manufacturing history, Duradek has proven its successful performance through multiple warranty cycles over 4 decades.
Accelerated Weathering Comparison
Before you buy, consider this…the image to the right shows the results of Accelerated Weather Testing (ASTM G90) and compares Duradek vinyl with another vinyl brand. Which surface would you rather have on your deck?
Not sure what approvals are required for a walkable vinyl waterproofing membrane on a roof deck over living space? View our evaluations checklist.
Testing and Evaluation Services Explained
Building Code Materials Standards Organizations and Evaluations Requirements:
CAN/CGSB 37.54-95 Polyvinyl Chloride Roofing and Waterproofing Membrane
A material standard which provides a basis for evaluating flexible, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes for use in roofing and waterproofing.
The International Codes require Thermoplastic single-ply membrane roof coverings to comply with either ASTM D 4434 or CAN/CGSB 37.54-95.
The CAN/CGSB 37.54-95 standard also provides a basis for evaluating PVC membranes used on decking subject to pedestrian traffic but does not address additional criteria such as skid resistance, abrasion resistance and resistance to puncture from sustained loads.
Duradek Ultra is compliant with National Standard of Canada CAN/CGSB-37.54-95 Polyvinyl Chloride Roofing and Waterproofing Membrane for Type 3, Class B Membranes.
ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) – United States
Building Code organizations such as ICC-ES provide a comprehensive product evaluation service for alternate materials and systems. The additional test procedures required by their acceptance criteria extend the scope of the Building Code(s) from roofing membranes, in the case of Duradek Ultra, to that of walkable roofing membrane which can accept pedestrian traffic.
ICC-ES has determined that Duradek Ultra complies with the 2009 International Building and Residential I-Codes. ICC-ES deemed Duradek Ultra a walking deck and classified roof covering in accordance with:
- ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Walking Decks (AC39)
- ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Membrane Roof Coverings (AC75)
- ICC-ES Evaluation Service Report ESR-2151
- CAN/CGSB 34.54-95 Polyvinyl Chloride Roofing and Waterproofing Membrane materials standard
- ASTM E108 ‘Methods of Fire Tests of Roof Coverings’ classification
- ANSI/FM 4474 Appendix B simulated wind uplift requirements
- ANSI/SPRI ES-1 metal edge securement requirements
Canadian Construction Material Centre (CCMC) – Canada
Building Code organizations such as CCMC in Canada provide a comprehensive product evaluation service for alternate materials and systems. The additional test procedures required by their acceptance criteria extend the scope of the Building Code(s) from roofing membranes, in the case of Duradek Ultra, to that of walkable roofing membrane which can accept pedestrian traffic.
CCMC has determined that Duradek Ultra is an acceptable PVC Sheet-Applied Waterproof Decking membrane in compliance with the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2005. CCMC’s acceptance criteria require walkable PVC decking membranes be tested for slip resistance.
Florida Building Commission (FBC)
The state of Florida has a unified code composed of two sections with product approval systems for each section. The state section includes 65 of 67 counties. The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) is geographically defined as Dade (Miami) and Broward (Fort Lauderdale) counties only. Florida is a natural disaster-prone state that requires a higher standard for performance of products, materials, and systems of construction. The FBC administers the Florida Product Approval System.
Duradek Ultra meets the requirements for use as a walking deck and classified roof covering outside the HVHZ.
Third-Party Quality Control:
Quality Auditing Institute Ltd. (QAI)
QAI is an accredited independent testing, inspection and certification agency serving the Building Industry. QAI maintains a third-party monitored quality assurance program to verify continued compliance of Duradek Ultra as required by both the Florida Building Commission and ICC Evaluation Service.
