Roof Uplift Requirements

Wind uplift ratings are a critical safety metric for building and testing roof systems for superior wind performance.

Roof uplift requirements.

These roof deck types are steel minimum 22 gauge wood cementitious wood fiber plank and structural concrete minimum 2 500 psi. Decra roofs also have the resilience and durability to withstand the most challenging wind conditions even in florida s. Testing of panel uplift resistance following hurricane andrew led to significant changes in prescriptive roof sheathing nailing requirements throughout much of the u s. Design and performance requirements there are three tests ul 580 ul 1897 and astm e1592 that are used to determine a metal roof s uplift rating.

Because fm approvals requires a 2 1 safety factor roofs with field of roof uplift forces of 30 pounds per square foot are the maximum for 1 60 ratings and 37 5 pounds per square foot are the maximum for 1 75 ratings etc. Wind uplift is a near constant force on roofs with wind movement from zero to over 170 mph. These tests are necessary to understand how a metal roof system can withstand both external and internal pressures which is important when trying to meet design and performance requirements in projects. As a result most nailing patterns in high wind areas require 8d nails at a maximum of 6 inch spacing along all framing members.

To ensure a correctly built metal roof there are a variety of wind uplift tests manufacturers use to test their metal panel systems.