Compound transitions and complex forms · Lesson 2 of 4

Compound transitions and complex forms: materials, standards and design constraints

Specification, maker and code each set rules for complex pieces: approval drawings, soldering and welding by metal, seam minimums, solder alloys, copper tempers, coating flexibility and AFS fabrication limits.

You will be able to: Find who sets the rules for a complex piece, choose its joint by metal and thickness from the governing specification, and check its flat parts against AFS's published limits.

10 min · 12 slides · 6 questions

All lessons in this module

Slide 1 of 12

Who sets the rules

Three sets of rules meet on a complex piece: the adopted code, written in mandatory terms (Seattle's IRC text says a cricket shall be installed), the project specification and the maker's instructions. Check the piece against all three.

UFGS 07 60 00 tells its editor to edit the guide specification for project specific requirements, so its numbers belong to the project that adopts it.

Sources

UFGS 07 60 00 Flashing and Sheet Metal (August 2023, Change 1 05/25) - USACE / NAVFAC / AFCEC (Unified Facilities Guide Specifications, via WBDG)
PAC-Continuous Cleat Coping: Standard Accessories (DWG 41011-38588 Rev A, 06/06/22) - Petersen Aluminum Corporation (PAC-CLAD)
2021 Seattle Residential Code, Chapter 9 Roof Assemblies (IRC-based), R903.2.2 Crickets and saddles - City of Seattle, Department of Construction and Inspections

Videos for this lesson

What this video shows: The Copper Development Association's architectural applications specialist shows the preparation, tools and steps for a flat seam soldered joint in copper, for flat seams at slopes up to 3:12.

Video: How-To: Flat Seam Soldered Joint by Copper Development Association, on YouTube. AFS checked its description against this lesson.

Glossary

Guide specification: A master specification such as UFGS 07 60 00 that is edited for each project; its numbers apply to the project that adopts it, not to every job.
Pre-tinning: Coating the edges of sheet metal with solder before a soldered seam is made; UFGS 07 60 00 requires it before soldering begins.
Print approval: The separate approval drawing that Petersen's coping accessory sheet refers to for non-90 miters.
Temper (copper): The hardness condition of copper sheet; ASTM's page for B370-22 lists tempers from O60 (soft) and H00 (cold-rolled) to H04 (hard).
Shop review: An AFS fabrication status meaning the profile is orderable but the shop confirms it first; the customer sees "AFS confirms this profile before fabrication."