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[CCMC 14342-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

From: National Research Council Canada

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Code compliance opinion

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated product, when used as exterior decking and stair treads in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, complies with the following code:

National Building Code of Canada 2015

ID Code provision Solution type
09-03-02-09-00-0-009.3.2.9. Termite and Decay ProtectionAlternative
09-04-02-03-00-0-009.4.2.3. Platforms Subject to Snow and Occupancy LoadsAcceptable
09-04-03-01-00-0-009.4.3.1. DeflectionsAcceptable
09-08-09-01-00-0-009.8.9.1. Loads on Stairs and RampsAcceptable
09-23-03-01-00-0-009.23.3.1. Standards for Nails and ScrewsAcceptable
09-23-15-05-00-0-009.23.15.5. Subfloor Thickness or RatingAlternative

The above opinion is based on the evaluation by the CCMC of technical evidence provided by the evaluation holder, and is bound by the stated conditions and limitations. For the benefit of the user, a summary of the technical information that forms the basis of this evaluation has been included.

Product information

Product name

PE Coextrusion WPC Decking

Product description

The product is made of profiled cellulosic/polymer composite extrusions (planks and trims). The extrusions contain cellulose-based fibres that are derived from wood residues or agricultural waste and high density polyethylene (HDPE). The deck planks are manufactured in hollow cross-sections with regular voids and walls of varying thickness. The planks are manufactured in nominal dimensions of 22.5 mm × 138 mm and are available in lengths of 2.44 m, 3.66 m and 4.88 m. The product is intended to be used as exterior decking installed over traditional structural wood framing.
a drawing of the installation details for the product
Figure 1. PE Coextrusion WPC Decking
  1. PE Coextrusion WPC Decking
  2. 3 mm to 6 mm spacing between sides of the planks
  3. minimum of three joists per plank
  4. maximum joist spacing of 300 mm on centre (o.c.) for 22.5-mm × 138-mm planks
  5. joist designed to support applicable loads
  6. two 25.4-mm-long fasteners with two SS304 stainless steel clips per plank at each intersecting joist
  7. 3 mm to 10 mm minimum spacing between ends of the planks, depending on the length of the plank and temperature at installation

Manufacturing plant

This evaluation is valid only for products produced at the following plant:

Product nameManufacturing plant
Changxing County, Huzhou City, China
PE Coextrusion WPC DeckingProduct evaluated by the CCMC

Product evaluated by the CCMC Indicates that the product from this manufacturing facility has been evaluated by the CCMC

  Conditions and limitations

The CCMC’s compliance opinion is bound by this product being used in accordance with the conditions and limitations set out below.

  • The product must be installed at a minimum 150-mm height above the finished grade.
  • The products used as exterior decking are not to be considered equivalent to lumber decking in terms of slip resistance.
  • When used as exterior decking, the product must be installed with joists spaced no greater than 300 mm o.c. Each plank must be supported by at least three joists.
  • When used as stair treads, the product must be installed with stringers spaced no greater than 203 mm apart.
  • Slip-resistant strips shall be provided in accordance with Article 9.8.9.6, Finish for Treads and Landings, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
  • The product must be fastened to the wood joists with fasteners conforming to Article 9.23.3.1., Standards for Nails and Screws, of Division B of the NBC 2015 that have a corrosion protection coatingFootnote (1) or are made of stainless steel. The planks must be fastened with at least one fastener per joist and the fasteners must be at least 25.4 mm long.
  • The product must be installed according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
  • The product must be gapped end-to-end, based on the length of the plank and the temperature at installation in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. The width-to-width gapping must be at least 3 mm for all installation temperatures. The product must not be installed at temperature below 0°C.
  • The product should be installed by a knowledgeable person familiar with the product installation guide.
  • The product’s label or packaging must be identified with the manufacturer’s name or logo and the phrase “CCMC 14342-R.”

  Technical information

This evaluation is based on demonstrated conformance with the following criteria:

Evaluation requirements
Criteria number Criteria name
CCMC-TG-067315.01-15CCMC Technical Guide for wood thermoplastic composite (WPC) decking with polyethylene (PE) coextrusion
Material requirements
Table 1. Results of testing the physical properties of the product
Property Unit Requirement Result  Table footnote (1)Table footnote (2)Table footnote (3)
Dimensional change coefficient of linear expansion (thermal) longitudinal cm/cm/°C < 2 × 10-5 5.3 × 10-5Table footnote (4)
coefficient of linear expansion (swelling): oven-dry to vacuum-pressure soak % < 0.5 by 80% of specimens 0.1
Strength and stiffness modulus of elasticity (MOE) span-to-depth ratio within 18 to 21 MPa > 750 2 294
modulus of rupture (MOR) > 9 25
Impact resistance (Izod impact, notched) J/m > 53.4 21.3Table footnote (5)
Creep, recovery and load duration % < 25 for creep 19
> 75 for recovery 80
No failure Pass
Strength and stiffness after aging weathering: impact resistance % > 75 of non-weathered value 97
accelerated aging MOE % > 50 of non-aged value 97
MOR 99
Fastener holding capacity metal clip fastener withdrawal strength N > 600 1 195
metal clip fastener lateral strength > 720 1 190
Flame-spread rating - ≤ 200 80
Smoke development - Report value 445
Shrinkage % ≤ 0.1 0.0

 

Performance requirements
Table 2. Results of testing the performance of the product under concentrated static loads and impact loads
Property Requirement ResultTable footnote (1)
Minimum ultimate load (kN) Maximum deflection under 0.89 kN load (mm) Ultimate load (kN) Deflection under 0.89 kN load (mm)
Concentrated static load decking at 50°C 2.45 1.6 2.63 3.27Table footnote (2)
decking at 20°C 3.57 2.21Table footnote (2)
decking at –35°C 5.70 1.78Table footnote (2)
Impact load of 102 N·m decking at 50°C 1.78 1.6 1.78 2.92Table footnote (2)

 

Table 3. Results of testing the performance of stair treads under a concentrated static load
Property Requirement ResultTable footnote (1)
Minimum ultimate load (kN) Maximum deflection under 1 kN (mm) Applied ultimate load (kN) Deflection under 1 kN (mm)
Concentrated static load stair tread    5Table footnote (2)     0.75 6.8 1.38Table footnote (3)
stair tread nosing 5Table footnote (4) - 20.7 -

 

Table 4. Test results for durability
Property Requirement Result
Spruce-Pine-Fir (S-P-F) lumber PE Coextrusion WPC Decking
Bending stiffness Mean percentage loss in bending stiffness (EI) after UV exposureTable footnote (1) and accelerated agingTable footnote (2) must be less than or equal to S-P-F lumber 21.9% 11.7%
Moment capacity Mean percentage loss in moment capacity (Mr) after UV exposureTable footnote (1) and accelerated agingTable footnote (2) must be less than or equal to spruce lumber 28.5% 21.2%

 

Table 5. Results of testing the durability, decay, termite and slip resistance properties of the product
Property Requirement Result
Decay resistance % loss in weight Mean percentage losses in weight and compressive strength after exposure to decay-causing fungi must be equal to or better than S-P-F dimensional lumber FailTable footnote (1)
% loss in compressive strength
Termite resistance Rating must be equal to or better than preservative-treated wood conforming to CSA O80.1-M97 Pass
Additional performance data
Table 6. Test results for additional performance data
Property Unit Requirement Result
Density kg/m3 Report value 1 237
Hardness (11.28-mm-diam ball) kN ≥ 1.8 3.1
Slip resistance (longitudinal) dry condition - ≥ 0.5 0.2Table footnote (1)
wet condition 0.3Table footnote (1)
Slip resistance (transverse) dry condition - ≥ 0.5 0.2Table footnote (1)
wet condition 0.5

 

Administrative information

Use of Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) assessments

This assessment must be read in the context of the entire CCMC Registry of Product Assessments, any applicable building code or by-law requirements, and/or any other regulatory requirements (for example, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, etc.).

It is the responsibility of the user to confirm that the assessment they are using is current and has not been withdrawn or superseded by a later version on the CCMC Registry of Product Assessments.

Disclaimer

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has evaluated only the characteristics of the specific product described herein. The information and opinions in this evaluation are directed to those who have the appropriate degree of experience to use and apply its contents (such as authorities having jurisdiction, design professionals and specifiers). This evaluation is valid when the product is used as part of permitted construction, respecting all conditions and limitations stated in the evaluation, and in accordance with applicable building codes and by-laws.

This evaluation is provided without representation, warranty or guarantee of any kind, expressed or implied, and the NRC provides no endorsement for any evaluated product. The NRC accepts no responsibility whatsoever arising in any way from any and all use of or reliance on the information contained herein or the use of any evaluated product. The NRC is not undertaking to render professional or other services on behalf of any person or entity nor to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to another person or entity.

Language

Une version française de ce document est disponible.
In the case of any discrepancy between the English and French version of this document, the English version shall prevail.

Copyright

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the National Research Council of Canada, 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the CCMC.

CCMC recognition

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Most Canadian authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) consider CCMC product assessments acceptable as evidence for product approval.

CCMC assessments are recognized by construction authorities across Canada:

The CCMC provides code compliance assessments to Canadian code requirements, consulting nationwide with construction regulators to elicit regional variations in code requirements as well as provincial and local interpretations. Users are advised to review the technical information presented in CCMC assessments when making approval decisions. Learn more about how the CCMC provides a unique service for Canada.

For more information, contact the CCMC by phone at (613) 993-6189 or by email at ccmc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Code compliance as an acceptable solution

Code Compliance via Acceptable Solutions

If a building design (e.g. material, component, assembly or system) can be shown to meet all provisions of the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B (e.g. it complies with the applicable provisions of a referenced standard), it is deemed to have satisfied the objectives and functional statements linked to those provisions and thus to have complied with that part of the Code.

National Building Code of Canada, Sentence A-1.2.1.1.(1)(a)

The CCMC has determined that compliance with this provision of the Code has been demonstrated as an Acceptable Solution. The evaluation report provides a summary of the basis of CCMC's compliance opinion.

CCMC's code compliance opinions

All CCMC evaluation reports are opinions of code compliance established in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada, Subsection 1.2.1. "Compliance with this Code," which requires compliance to be achieved by:

  • complying with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B, or
  • using an alternative solution that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objective and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions.

The CCMC assesses compliance with Canadian building, energy and safety codes, and is trusted by over 6,000 regulators across Canada.

Code compliance as an alternative solution

Code Compliance via Alternative Solutions

Where a design differs from the acceptable solutions in Division B, then it should be treated as an "alternative solution." A proponent of an alternative solution must demonstrate that the alternative solution addresses the same issues as the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B and their attributed objectives and functional statements. However, because the objectives and functional statements are entirely qualitative, demonstrating compliance with them in isolation is not possible. Therefore, Clause 1.2.1.1.(1)(b) identifies the principle that Division B establishes the quantitative performance targets that alternative solutions must meet. In many cases, these targets are not defined very precisely by the acceptable solutions [...] Nevertheless, Clause 1.2.1.1.(1)(b) makes it clear that an effort must be made to demonstrate that an alternative solution will perform as well as a design that would satisfy the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B—not “well enough” but “as well as.”

National Building Code of Canada, Sentence A-1.2.1.1.(1)(b)

The CCMC has determined that compliance with this provision of the Code has been demonstrated as an Alternative Solution. The evaluation report provides a summary of the basis of CCMC's compliance opinion.

CCMC's code compliance opinions

All CCMC evaluation reports are opinions of code compliance established in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada, Subsection 1.2.1. "Compliance with this Code," which requires compliance to be achieved by:

  • complying with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B, or
  • using an alternative solution that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objective and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions.

The CCMC assesses compliance with Canadian building, energy and safety codes, and is trusted by over 6,000 regulators across Canada.

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