The ASCEND ICC-ES Evaluation Report provides independent verification that ASCEND Composite Cladding complies with specific building code requirements when installed according to the manufacturer's published instructions. It helps architects, builders, code officials, and contractors understand where and how the product is recognized for code compliance—but it is not an installation guide or warranty document.
Technical Resource Guide
What Does the ASCEND ICC-ES Evaluation Report Establish?
One of the questions architects, contractors, builders, and code officials often ask is whether a new building product has been independently evaluated for building code compliance. For ASCEND Composite Cladding, that independent review is documented in an ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR-4143).
An ICC-ES Evaluation Report is not a marketing brochure or manufacturer warranty. Instead, it is an independent technical document that evaluates a product against applicable sections of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). It provides building officials and design professionals with evidence that a product complies with specific code requirements when it is installed according to the conditions described in the report and the manufacturer's installation instructions.1
What the ICC-ES Report Does
| It Establishes | It Does Not Establish |
|---|---|
| Code compliance for evaluated applications | A product warranty |
| Applicable code recognition | Installation training |
| Approved conditions of use | Unlimited design flexibility |
| Referenced testing and engineering | Permission to ignore manufacturer instructions |
What Is ICC-ES?
ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) is an independent organization that evaluates construction products for compliance with model building codes. Evaluation reports are widely recognized by architects, engineers, building departments, and code officials throughout North America.
Rather than relying solely on manufacturer claims, ICC-ES reviews testing, engineering data, quality-control procedures, and other technical documentation before issuing an evaluation report.2
What Does ESR-4143 Cover?
The ASCEND ICC-ES Evaluation Report identifies the product, describes its construction, outlines the recognized applications, references the applicable building codes, and specifies the conditions under which the product complies with those codes.
It also references important installation requirements, approved substrates, fastening methods, design limitations, and applicable standards. Those provisions work together with the manufacturer's installation guide rather than replacing it.1
The Report Typically Includes
- Applicable building codes
- Product description
- Recognized uses
- Installation conditions
- Referenced ASTM standards
- Quality-control requirements
- Code limitations and conditions
Why Contractors Should Care
Most homeowners never read an ICC-ES report, but contractors, architects, and building officials frequently rely on them during design and permitting. The report provides confidence that the product has undergone an independent technical review rather than relying only on marketing literature.
When questions arise during permitting or inspections, the evaluation report often serves as an important technical reference alongside the manufacturer's installation documentation.
The ICC-ES Report Is Only One Part of the Documentation
Although the evaluation report is an important technical resource, it is not the document installers should follow step by step during construction. Contractors should always use the current ASCEND Installation Guide for fastening schedules, clearances, flashing details, accessory requirements, and other installation procedures.3
Technical Documents Every Contractor Should Have
- ☐ ICC-ES Evaluation Report
- ☐ ASCEND Installation Guide
- ☐ Technical Summary
- ☐ Warranty documentation
- ☐ Trim & Accessories Catalog
- ☐ Applicable local building code requirements
Technical Resources From Suburban Wholesale & Supply
Suburban Wholesale & Supply helps contractors, builders, architects, and remodelers throughout Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois access the latest ASCEND technical resources before projects begin. We can help locate current evaluation reports, installation guides, technical summaries, warranty information, accessory catalogs, and product literature so you have the documentation needed for estimating, permitting, and ordering materials.
The Bottom Line
The ASCEND ICC-ES Evaluation Report establishes that the product has been independently evaluated for compliance with specific building code requirements under defined conditions of use. It provides valuable technical documentation for architects, contractors, and code officials, but it should always be used together with the manufacturer's current installation instructions and other published technical documents.
Part of: ASCEND Composite Cladding
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