Testing and Approvals
What TopHat has, what it doesn't, and how projects get approved
Engineers, architects and building officials ask what testing and approvals stand behind a retrofit sub-framing product. Here is the straight answer for TopHat, kept current. If a project needs something not listed here, ask us before you bid.
Current status
| Item | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| AISI base tests (wind uplift and gravity) | Yes | Force Engineering & Testing, 2008 and 2009. Purlin and TopHat Subframe tested together; reports on the test results page. |
| Project engineering (PE-sealed calculations, shop drawings) | Yes | Available on request for each project. |
| CSI guide specification | Yes | Section 13 34 21, also numbered 05 46 00. Web, Word and PDF. |
| CAD details | Yes | Standard details in PDF and DWG. |
| Patents | Yes | TopHat Subframe: US 7,861,480. Zee Strip anti-rotation arm option: US 10,030,392. |
| Mill certificates | Yes | On request. Made in the USA: manufactured in Pennsylvania from domestically produced steel (ASTM A653, 50 ksi minimum yield, G90). |
| Approved as an equal on a public bid | Yes | TopHat Zee Strip, 2024 State of Iowa reroof. See "or equal" substitutions. |
| ASTM E1592 / UL 580 / UL 1897 panel-assembly uplift tests | No | These are tests of metal roof panels. TopHat's published tests are AISI base tests of the purlin system. |
| FM 4471 approval | Not yet | |
| Florida projects | Per project | Call us before bidding a Florida project. When a project requires it, TopHat provides project-specific engineering reviewed and approved by a professional engineer licensed in Florida. |
| Florida Product Approval (statewide) | Not yet | |
| Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) | Not yet | |
| ICC-ES evaluation report | Not applicable | No ICC-ES acceptance criteria covers retrofit sub-framing; it is designed as cold-formed steel framing. |
How TopHat gets approved on a project
Retrofit sub-framing is structural framing, so it is approved the way framing is: by engineering. A professional engineer licensed in the project's state designs the sub-framing for the building's wind, snow and dead loads under the AISI specification for cold-formed steel and the building code. The sealed calculations and shop drawings go to the design team and the building official. TopHat Framing Systems can provide that package, and the AISI base tests give the engineer measured capacity factors for the purlins TopHat is fastened to.
The new roof panels keep their own ratings. A panel manufacturer's published uplift ratings assume the panel is fastened to adequate supporting steel, and checking that support, including fastener pull-out, is part of the project engineering.
When a spec requires named tests
Some specifications, including many federal ones, require the roof system to carry ASTM E1592, UL 580 or FM 4471 results. Those requirements usually apply to the roof panel system. Ask the panel manufacturer whether its listing covers installation over retrofit sub-framing, and call us early so we can work through the requirement with you before the bid.
Where a spec calls for on-site fastener pull-out testing, TopHat can help arrange it through its approved fastener supplier.
Common questions
Does TopHat have Florida Product Approval or a Miami-Dade NOA?
Not at this time. TopHat does not hold a statewide Florida Product Approval or a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance. Florida roofing projects that need product approval usually need a project-specific system submittal from a Florida engineer, and when a project requires it, TopHat provides engineering reviewed and approved by a professional engineer licensed in Florida. Call us before bidding a Florida project.
Has the TopHat Subframe been tested to ASTM E1592, UL 580 or FM 4471?
No. TopHat's published tests are AISI base tests of the purlin and subframe together (wind uplift and gravity), run by Force Engineering & Testing in 2008 and 2009. They measure how much TopHat raises the purlin's capacity. ASTM E1592, UL 580 and FM 4471 are tests of a roof panel assembly; TopHat has no results under those standards.
Does TopHat have an ICC-ES evaluation report?
No. There is no ICC-ES acceptance criteria for retrofit sub-framing. Sub-framing is designed as cold-formed steel framing under the AISI specification, by an engineer, for each project's loads.
How is TopHat approved on a project, then?
Through project engineering. A professional engineer designs the sub-framing for the building's loads under the AISI specification and the building code, and the sealed calculations and shop drawings go to the building official and design team. TopHat Framing Systems can provide that engineering package on request. On bids that name another sub-framing product, TopHat can be submitted as an equal.
Need something specific for a submittal?
Send the spec section and project location, and we will tell you what we can provide.
Contact us