Post-Installed Mechanical Concrete Anchors - ICC Approval Required? 4

[JennyNakamura]

Hi Everyone,

I have a large commercial PV project where several hundred solar panels will be installed on the concrete roof of a large industrial building. I knew the contractor would want to use screw anchors, so I spec's Brand A or Brand B because I knew they had ICC approvals. The contractor wants to substitute Brand C but it doesn't have ICC approval, though this screw anchor is very widely used (Redhead LDT). I think this would work fine but I am worried about the ICC issue.

Per the code (IBC 06), Section 1912 says that "...anchors that are not within the scope of App D of ACI 318 [screw anchors in this case]...shall be in accordance with an approved procedure. Section 104.11.1 says "Research reports. Supporting data, where necessary to assist in the approval of materials or assemblies not specifically provided for in this code, shall consist of valid research reports from approved sources." To me this means you gotta have an ICC report, or at least an approval from City of LA, Miami-Dade, State of Florida, etc.

When can I use a post-installed anchor that doesn't have an ICC report? How do others get away with spec'g them -- are they in the wrong?

Thank you in advance....

 

[JedClampett]

Ah, the eternal question. If only ICC qualified anchors are acceptable per code, where do the other anchors go? I'm guessing that they go in non structural applications or in foreign countries.
I wouldn't let them use them. If your specifications are clear and tight, they should of bid the correct anchors. If they didn't, the losing bidders might of.
If you approve the anchors, that's now your design. If something goes wrong, you'll have to answer why you allowed a non code compliant design. Even though the code allows some wiggle room, you're going to be guilty until proven innocent.

 

[Ron]

JC is exactly right. Think of the questions you'll have to answer if something goes wrong. Always a sobering thought.

 

[woodman88]

2009 IBC Section 1604.7 "Preconstruction load tests. Materials and methods of construction that are not capable of being designed by approved engineering analysis or that do not comply with the applicable material design standards listed in Chapter 35, or alternative test procedures in accordance with Section 1712, shall be load tested in accordance with Section 1715."

Thus, using products per the ICC ES-Report allows engineers to spec products that are outside our area of practice.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Use the right ones - What is the difference in price - 5 cents???

Tell a judge and a jury you saved a couple of hundred dollars while a million dollars worth of solar panels flew into the next county!!

 

[JennyNakamura]

Woodman, thanks for the 1604.7/1712 references. It makes understanding the applicability of the ICC process much more clear.
Thanks everyone else for your thoughts...