Guide to Success

TRI Alliance Announces New Industry Guide for 2024

by Richard K. Olson, President & Technical Director, Tile Roofing Industry Alliance

(Editor’s Note:  Richard K. Olson is president and technical director for the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance.  The association represents industry professionals involved in the manufacturing and installation of concrete and clay tile roofs in the United States and Canada, and works with national, state, and local building officials to develop installation techniques, codes, and standards for better roofing systems.  Olson can be reached at rolson@tileroofing.org.)

The Tile Roofing Industry (TRI) Alliance is pleased to announce the issuance of our new industry-based installation guide Concrete And Clay Roof Tile Installation Manual, published by the TRI Alliance.  As with past installation guides, our new manual is covered by a formal code evaluation report issued from IAPMO.  This means the manual has been reviewed for compliance to the International Residential Codes (IRC) and International Building Codes (IBC), and provides the extra layer of confidence to the local building officials for our recommendations that are included. 

         This formal evaluation report covers both our 2015 and 2024 installation manuals, so we are inclusive of the ASCE-7-05, ASCE-7-10, ASCE-7-16 and ASCE-7-22 design information.  This will allow the design professional to review both current and future projects.  We will be providing a print on demand option for those wishing to obtain a hard copy for any of our manuals.

         The new 2024 installation guide has improved color graphics with additional notes and callouts based upon the input we have received since 2015.  These include comments from roofing professionals, designers, and code officials for best practices that meet the national code minimums.  We recognize there are specific exceptions for certain local code jurisdictions that are not included in our updated manual.

         Being a national installation manual that covers everywhere outside of Florida, the 2024 version can only utilize the code minimums in compliance with the IBC/IRC as a base recommendation.  Your local code jurisdiction has final approval on all code matters and local code approved practices may still be used, even if they are not shown in our guide.  As the TRI Alliance we always recommend the roofing professional verify their intended practices with the local building officials prior to starting their project. 

         Major changes to the 2024 manual center on code required updates to the wind codes prescribed by the ASCE-7 wind committee found in the IRC/IBC code language.  The various ASCE codes from 05 through 22 use different nomenclature and formula designations as the codes progressed.  The expansion of roof zones complicated the ASCE progression for ASCE-16, but with ASCE-7-22 the committee recognized more realistic wind performance and reduced back the number to earlier configurations.

         For each of these wind codes, we have created easy to use reference charts for code defined exposures (B, C, D), wind speeds up to 190 MPH, roof slopes per code defined, and tables for both Hip and Gable Roofs.  These wind design aids are replicated in our newest Florida guide as they are the same code minimums.

         These easy-to-read tables provide code compliant wind uplift resistance values that are conservative by design for our concrete and clay roofing tile.  These tables provide required uplift resistance the tiles will see and provide fastening options for installing a concrete or clay tile based upon profile for both direct or batten installation methods.

         For the design professional wishing to calculate project specific designs, we have included examples on how to utilize specific tile dimensions to determine a tile specific uplift, which in most cases can lower uplift resistance from our conservative tables.

         For the roofing professional, the quick reference tables can provide the required fastener options, if the design professional has not provided a call out on the approved plans.  We have expanded our non-engineered roof drawing section, which shows areas of focus for a design professional on various metal decks as a template for consideration as you design such projects.  Additionally, we have expanded some of the topics to include solar, staggered layout, and turret shaped installations.

         As the TRI Alliance, training and communication of proper installation is a key focus for our industry.  Starting in August, the TRI Alliance will be providing training opportunities both online and in person to help educate roofing professionals and designers on new changes included in the 2024 manual.  Our member manufacturers recognize this manual as their formal installation guides required by code.  Please check with your tile manufacturer for any additional design information or restrictions. 

         Additionally, we will be providing the design professional with training opportunities on project specific wind design aids for code compliance under ASCE-7-16 and ASCE-7-22.  For our roofing professionals we will be expanding our classes to include both new hires and advanced estimators/owners focused content to help improve proper installations in the field. 

         As the design professional you can help by promoting proper training with your roofing professional.  As the TRI Alliance we are providing basic training and working with the NRCA on the addition of a PROCert credential on top of our training programs.  The long-term performance of our concrete and clay roofing tiles start with the proper installation of the entire roof assembly.