1. Question: I am looking for a specific evaluation report. How do I find it?
Answer: All current and valid evaluation reports are available on this Website, and you can search for reports by the product name, the name of the product manufacturer, or the type of product. If you search and still can't find it, it may be that there is no current report. Call IAPMO ES for further assistance.
2. Question: What are "further-study" fees?
Answer: Reports are required to be periodically re-examined. If the re-examination date passes before the re-examination is completed and the report approved, IAPMO ES charges monthly "further-study" fees to maintain the existing report until the new report can be issued.
3. Question: What are evaluation reports?
Answer: Evaluation reports succinctly demonstrate particular code(s) and/or standard(s) compliance for a manufacturer’s building product, material or component. According to ISO Guide 65 requirements, an evaluation report must be current (not expired) and posted to the IAPMO online ESR directory to be valid.
An Evaluation Report documents a professional position based on the issuer’s technical assessment that the product or system meets the applicable code prescriptive requirements and/or code intent where provisions either lack clarity. The Evaluation Report is intended to help them determine whether the product complies with the building code.
The Evaluation Reports are predominately for new products, materials, design or construction methods, or systems that were not considered in the development of code provisions. Evaluation Reports are being frequently used for those products that are not entirely addressed by code as well as those design procedure for a product that is clearly prescribed by the code but takes time and cost to demonstrate conformance each time it is applied.
4. Question: How are evaluation reports used?
Answer: Evaluation reports provide authorities having code enforcement jurisdiction (building departments, building code officials and building inspectors) a standardized format to ensure construction product compliance to applicable codes and standards. By demonstrating compliance in a standardized format, the task of product review is simplified and it is easier for code enforcement officials to keep buildings safe and healthy for their occupants. This speeds up the acceptance of products by the construction regulators. Architects, engineers, contractors, specifiers, and others in the building industry who have an interest in making sure products and systems meet building-code requirements also rely on these product evaluation tools in making product choices.
5. Question: Who are the evaluators of the products?
Answer: Trained, professional engineers from the product’s respective area evaluate all product claims and test reports. Structural engineers review structural products, process engineers review processed products and mechanical engineers review mechanical products. However, before the final product’s final evaluation report is issued, a panel of engineers and technical representatives reviews the product and its test results to further validate the product claims.
6. Question: How does a manufacturer or product supplier obtain an IAPMO ES Evaluation Report?
Answer: The process for all certification bodies is standardized in accordance with ISO Guide 65 - General Requirements for bodies Operating Product Certification Systems and with IBC Section 1703.
The process starts with a phone call and an application. Laboratories recognized to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 test the products. Having an evaluation report being trusted by others starts with using trusted laboratories to do the work. We work with the laboratories of your choice, provided they are A2LA, NVLAP, ACLASS, SCC or IAS accredited. Qualified engineers in a variety of disciplines analyze the test reports resulting from such testing as well as drawings and other supporting information. Simultaneously with the review above, the manufacturer’s Quality Assurance systems are also reviewed to ensure compliance to ES requirements as listed at http://www.iapmoes.org/Documents/Minimum%20QA%20Requirements.pdf . Additionally, a committee of relevant code experts reviews such information against the specific codes before issuance of the Evaluation report.
We target generating our reports in 120 days.
7. Question: Why is an Evaluation Report important to a manufacturer or supplier?
Answer: The AHJ is ultimately authorized to issue permits and approve all construction products for use in their community. The Evaluation Reports provide confidence for AHJ that the products have been reviewed by a trusted third-party organization to meet the minimum standards set for that product. In the past, each building department would have to keep track of which products were allowed in their jurisdiction, often requiring the authority to fund their own product research team to determine suitability of the different products for their area of responsibility. The Evaluation Report brings credibility to the claims made by the manufacturer and makes it easier for the AHJ to evaluate the products and permit their constituents’ needs.
8. Question: What are Evaluation Criteria?
Answer: Product or Product Category Evaluation criteria are developed when a manufacturer submits a new technology or innovation that has not been addressed in the model codes. These alternative products often represent the future of product development and existing product criteria or standards do not fit the nature of the product. In some cases, Evaluation Criteria are written to clarify the intent of the model codes related to modifications made to existing product standards or when the particular industry identifies changes to the overall composition or use of a product. These changes keep the product evaluations relevant to the needs of the consumers and the construction industry.
Click here for current evaluation criteria.
9. Question: How long does it take to get an IAPMO ES evaluation report?
Answer: Different products do take varying amounts of time to evaluate based solely on the complexity of the product under review. The time to final product review can also be impacted if a new Evaluation Criteria needs to be written for a new technology, or if there are delays in the submittal of test reports or answers to the product reviewer’s questions. The goal is to ensure the safety of the public by thoroughly evaluating every product submitted for review. IAPMO has more than 75 years of product evaluation experience, so we are able to work with the manufacturers in streamlining the process. In most cases, the average evaluation time is three months.