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Let in the Sun2015 IRC to Include Sunroom Spec

B Y D E A N L E W I S

Last fall the International CodeCouncil (ICC) voted to adoptAAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100-12,

Specification for Sunrooms, into the2015 International ResidentialCode (IRC). The specification,cosponsored by AAMA, theNational Patio EnclosureAssociation (NPEA) and theNational Sunroom Association(NSA), establishes minimum per-formance requirements for resi-dential sunrooms (including sun-spaces, conservatories, patio enclo-sures, patio covers, porch enclo-sures and other related structures)and the fenestration products usedin their assembly, as built from allframing materials.

Lack of SpecificationsIn its advocacy to the ICC for

adoption of the standard, AAMApointed out that prior editions ofthe IRC had only addressed sun-rooms consisting of typical woodframing techniques. There were noprovisions for using a stick systemconsisting of prefabricated framingof aluminum, fiberglass, wood orother materials, with glass oropaque wall or roof panels andsteel or aluminum connections,other than by engineering analysisor other means of demonstratingequivalency with the IRC. The lack of definitive specifica-

tions and code requirements thatspecifically address the full spec-trum of sunroom designs hadcreated confusion in the con-struction community, as buildingofficials and industry membersalike struggled to apply unrelatedcode definitions and require-ments to sunrooms.

Sunroom CategoriesThe standard establishes five dif-

ferent categories of sunroomsbased upon the intended use of thespace and defines specific designcriteria for each:• Category I is defined as a non-habitable, non-conditioned sun-room, thermally isolated from theprimary structure, with walls thatare either open or enclosed withinsect screening or plastic film;

• Category II is defined as a non-habitable, non-conditioned sun-room, also thermally isolatedfrom the primary structure butwith enclosed walls with open-ings glazed with translucent ortransparent plastic or glass;

• Category III is essentially thesame as Category II, except thefenestration complies with addi-tional requirements for resist-ance to air infiltration and waterpenetration;

• Category IV is defined as a ther-mally isolated and non-habit-able structure with enclosedwalls, but conditioned (heatedand/or cooled) by a separate

temperature control. • Category V is designed to be heat-ed and/or cooled and is open tothe main structure. It is subject toadditional requirements for airinfiltration resistance, water pen-etration resistance and thermalperformance.Each category has specified

structural requirements for windloads, dead loads, roof snow loads,live loads and seismic loads, roofload safety factor and maximumdeflection of structural membersand panels. These requirementsreference specified sections of theIRC or ASCE/SEI 7, MinimumDesign Loads for Buildings andOther Structures, as appropriate.The document also establishes

specific parameters for a test struc-ture, including minimum depth,width, slope of roof, etc.

Why the Standard is NeededThe new reference to the specifi-

cation is expected to make permitreview and inspection of the varioustypes of sunrooms a much smootherprocess because it makes clarifiesthose portions of the code that applyto the five sunroom categories.Although the AAMA/NPEA/NSA2100-12 document won’t appear inthe IRC until the publication of the2015 code is finalized, the industryplans to begin referencing the sun-room categories in permit applica-tions to familiarize contractorsand building officials with therequirements. �

Dean Lewis serves as educational andtechnical information manager for theAmerican Architectural ManufacturersAssociation in Schaumburg, Ill.

A A M A A N A L Y S I S

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