Parapet coping and cap installation · Lesson 1 of 4

Parapet coping and cap installation: principles and terminology

What a coping does, the layer stack from wall to cover, cleats, segmented cleats and clips, the coping profiles on file, why an ES-1 system is installed as tested, and the OSHA rules for working at a roof edge.

You will be able to: Name the layers and parts of a parapet coping, tell a continuous cleat from segmented cleats and clips, explain why a tested system is installed exactly as tested, and state the fall-protection rules that apply to coping work.

11 min · 12 slides · 6 questions

All lessons in this module

Slide 1 of 12

What a coping does

ES-1 defines a coping as the covering piece on top of a parapet wall exposed to the weather, often metal, sloped to carry off water.

ES-1 defines a parapet wall as the part of a perimeter wall that extends above the roof.

ES-1 calls copings independently terminated systems: they cover the tops of parapet walls, usually with the roofing membrane terminated under them.

Sources

ANSI/SPRI/FM 4435/ES-1-2022 Test Standard for Edge Systems Used with Low Slope Roofing Systems (approved November 21, 2022) - SPRI

Videos for this lesson

What this video shows: Hickman, a manufacturer, installs its own PermaSnap Premier snap-on coping on 20 ga galvanized anchor clips: an example of clips rather than a continuous cleat. Hickman's system, not a Drexel system.

Video: PermaSnap Premier Coping Installation by Hickman Edge Systems, on YouTube. AFS checked its description against this lesson.

Glossary

Coping: The covering piece on top of a parapet wall exposed to the weather, often metal, sloped to carry off water (ES-1).
Parapet wall: The part of a perimeter wall that extends above the roof (ES-1).
Continuous cleat: A metal strip run the length of the wall that a coping cover hooks onto; Drexel Econo Coping uses a 22 ga galvanized one in 10 ft lengths.
Segmented cleat: A short cleat piece set at intervals along the wall; Drexel Snap Coping uses 16 ga galvanized segmented cleats 12 in wide.
Anchor clip: A spaced clip the coping snaps onto; Polyglass Polyforza uses 12 in wide galvanized anchor clips 3 ft on center. Garland calls its pieces anchor chairs or anchor plates.
Kick: The angled lower edge of a coping cleat that the cover drip hooks over; Drexel names a front kick, a rear kick and a kickout.
Splice plate: A short plate set under the joint between two coping lengths, usually bedded in sealant; Drexel prints 6 in, Polyglass 8 in.
Roofing work (OSHA): Hoisting, storing, applying and removing roofing materials and equipment, including related insulation, sheet metal and vapor barrier work (29 CFR 1926.500).