ICC-ES Reports Ensure Structural Integrity of
Solar Panel Installations
With the rapid growth of the installation of solar panels in commercial and residential properties across the country, it is important to know what products you are approving. For instance, ICC-ES recently issued ESR-3744 to Quick Mount PV Roof Mounts for roof mounts QMSE, QMSE-LAG, QMSC-LAG and QMLC-LAG. These are mounting brackets used to attach solar panel mounting systems to the wood framing of roofs with asphalt shingle or wood shake roof coverings. The products were evaluated for their structural and waterproof properties to the 2012, 2009 and 2006 International Building Code® (IBC) and International Residential Code® (IRC). The company also holds an earlier ICC-ES evaluation report (ESR-2835) for roof mounts. ICC-ES issued these reports to Quick Mount following rigorous technical evaluations.
ICC-ES has developed acceptance criteria (ACs) used to issue these reports – Acceptance Criteria for Joist Hangers and Similar Devices (AC13) and Acceptance Criteria for Roof Flashing for Pipe Penetrations (AC286). Additionally, ICC-ES developed Acceptance Criteria for Modular Framing Systems Used to Support Photovoltaic (PV) Panels (AC428). Each of these ACs helps to ensure the structural integrity of solar panel installations.
Until these types of products are incorporated in the codes, code officials should continue to be vigilant in their use and look for an ICC-ES report to ensure code compliance of products and their application in the field.
“We are here to support code officials and provide you with the technical information you need to approve products,” said ICC-ES President Shahin Moinian, P.E. “Our technical staff are the best in the industry and provide a rigorous evaluation of each product that is reviewed.”
ICC-ES is the leader in third-party building product evaluations. If you come across a solar panel mounting system that you are unfamiliar with, ask for an ICC-ES evaluation report. The reports are detailed and include valuable technical information to save you time in the field. If you need further information, please contact us at the dedicated extension or email address shown above to speak to our highly trained technical staff with any questions you may have.
About ICC-ES
A nonprofit, limited liability company, ICC-ES is the United States’ leading evaluation service for innovative building materials, components and systems. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports (ESRs), Building Product Listings and PMG Listings provide evidence that products and systems meet requirements of codes and technical standards. The ICC-ES Environmental Programs issue VAR environmental reports that verify a product meets specific sustainability targets defined by today’s codes, standards, green rating systems and ICC-ES environmental criteria. The Environmental Programs now offer Environmental Product Declarations ( EPDs ) to meet global market demand for science-based, transparent, quality-assured information about a product’s environmental performance. ICC-ES is a subsidiary of the International Code Council. For more information, please visit www.icc-es.org.