One definition of inspect is “to examine closely and critically.” In building construction, the term “inspection” can imply other terms: completeness, code compliance, quality assurance, and “as-specified” are a few examples. For the purposes of this guide, inspection will be discussed as an action performed by a building owner, product manufacturer, code official, and others. Construction observations for quality assurance and assessment are typically performed by professional, credentialed construction observers and consultants, such as a Registered Roof Observer (RRO) or a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) as recognized by RCI, Inc.; however, these services may be provided by individuals with extensive experience in design and construction of building envelope components.
This document has been compiled to provide guidance regarding the evaluation of sheet metal roofing systems and sheet metal components of building envelope systems, including roofing, exterior walls, waterproofing, and transition flashings. The guidelines included within this manual cover these systems during their initial construction and also during post-construction activities, such as condition assessments and maintenance. The purpose of this manual is to assist quality assurance observers and owners that may have limited knowledge and experience in the specifics of architectural sheet metal component installation or evaluation. The manual also serves as a procedural guide for experienced professionals who review architectural sheet metal systems regularly.
During construction, quality assurance observers can review the sheet metal systems as they are installed to confirm they comply with the project specifications, industry standards, and recognized guidelines for the work being performed. Following construction and throughout the service life of the system, visual assessments can be made to determine if maintenance is required beyond cleaning debris from elements of a roofing system or replacing sealant that has aged to the point of failure. If more detailed and involved maintenance is required, a credentialed, professional building envelope consultant or a qualified custom sheet metal contractor should be engaged.
The sources for the information contained in this Guide are:
- RCI Inc. – Manual of Practice
- SMACNA – Architectural Sheet Metal Manual
- SMACNA – Standard Practice in Sheet Metal Work
The above publications were created under the oversight of professional building envelope consultants or experienced custom sheet metal contractors. So, ultimately, the information comes directly from consultants and contractors with decades of in-the-field architectural sheet metal experience.
This Guide should be considered as a supplement to the above publications as they describe many details and alternate constructions. Where project specifications may be inadequate, many of the details within the publications are subject to interpretation by professional building envelope consultants or the judgment and experience of an architectural sheet metal contractor.