A critical and often overlooked design detail is at the termination of a parapet
coping at a wall. The most common mistake at this intersection is to allow the
metal coping to but up to the wall without the application of termination
metal. The omittance of the termination metal leaves an opening at the top of
the coping and allows for moisture infiltration at the space between the
parapet wall and the structural wall. The installation of the coping-to-wall
termination provides waterproofing protection and allows for differential
movement between the two construction components.
Prior to the installation of the parapet coping, a metal flashing material
shall be adhered to the structural wall. The metal flashing shall lap the
parapet wall. The top of the metal flashing shall be terminated with a
counterflashing that is either surface mounted or set in a reglet.
The metal coping is then applied over the completed wall flashing and secured in accordance with local wind zone requirements. (Perimeter metal coping materials must be in compliance with ANSI/SPRI ES-1 requirements.) A prefabricated sheet metal saddle flashing is applied at the junction of the structural wall and parapet wall to terminate exposed openings. The saddle flashing shall be set in two continuous beads of sealant.
A bead of continuous sealant shall be applied at the top of the counterflashing and the seams of the sheet metal saddle flashing.