IAPMO’s Uniform Evaluation Service (UES) is pleased to announce that California-based Empire West, Inc., was granted UES Evaluation Report ER-310 to reference the 2012, 2009 and 2006 International Building Code® (IBC). ER-310 states that Ceilume Ceiling Tiles used with concealed sprinklers as recognized in the report satisfy applicable code requirements. This allows for the specification of Ceilume Ceiling Tiles by architects, contractors, specifiers, designers and approval of installations by code officials. It also provides code officials with a concise summary of the product’s attributes and documentation of code compliance.
Products recognized under the Uniform Evaluation Service have successfully undergone evaluation based on applicable requirements within the Uniform Family of Codes and the International Family of Codes, as well as codes published by other entities. UES staff thoroughly examined Ceilume Ceiling Tiles’ product information, test reports, calculations, quality control methods and other factors to determine the products are code compliant.
“It is easy to overlook the importance of people in the creation and use of a product evaluation report like this,” said Ed Davis, president of Empire West. “Yet these reports are only as good as the team who creates them and only of value if they genuinely help the code officials and end users who must rely on them. We could not be happier with this new IAPMO recognition. Brian Gerber, PE, SE, Rafael Donado, EIT, and the rest of the IAPMO crew are absolutely first rate, and have provided us at Ceilume, and the construction industry as a whole, with a useful and valuable new tool.”
The UES program is built upon IAPMO’s more than 70 years of experience in evaluating products for code compliance. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the program operates under ISO/IEC Guide 65, “General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems.”
UES Director Richard Beck, PE, CBO, MCP, explains why Uniform Evaluation Reports are so valuable: “Empire West, Inc., can now reference its ER-310 for their Ceilume Ceiling Tiles to ensure that code officials quickly have the information required for their decision on approval. Our program also stands out because of stellar customer service and the utilization of in-house staff along with the technical expertise of various professional engineering firms, who are leaders in each area of recognition.” Rafael Donado, EIT, added, “The Empire West, Inc. staff was certainly very cooperative during the review process. Their innovative Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and submittal organization allowed us to provide a consistent report that serves the need of code officials for approval.”
IAPMO’s UES offers a full range of recognition opportunities, including recognition for the applicable national model codes, as well as Florida, California and various other state codes. The UES program lowers the cost and increases the value to code officials of these reports by combining all of these recognitions in one concise report prepared by an internationally recognized product certification body.
About IAPMO’S Uniform ES
IAPMO Uniform ES (UES) is one of the two prominent evaluation service providers (as noted by SEAOC, see Uniform-ES.org for details). UES reports provide evidence that products and systems satisfy code requirements within the scope and conditions of use as noted in each report.
For more information on IAPMO Uniform ES, direct your Web browser to www.Uniform-ES.org or contact Karen Snowden (909) 472-4105 or Karen.Snowden@iapmoes.org.
Last modified: December 2, 2013