Roof and Hurricane Preparedness

With hurricane season coming into full swing at the end of the month, most facility managers and building owners in Florida have one eye on the news hoping that another 2004 hurricane season is not upon us.

Rather than wait until a storm is on the radar and there is little to no time to prepare, now is the perfect time for managers to think about their roofs. A study from The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) and information released by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) examine the weaknesses in roofs during hurricane conditions and outline the necessary steps to prevent severe damage in the future.

The Causes Of Roof Failure
Installation practices are often the reason that roofs do not perform. The RICOWI study examined roofs after the 2004 season, which included the destructive hurricanes Charley and Ivan. Its findings revealed the defects in installation. “Failure of roofing systems resulted from vulnerability at the perimeter and punctures and tears from debris,” says David Roodvoets, wind event coordinator for Houston, TX-based RICOWI. “The attachment to the deck could not resist the loads created when the perimeter securement failed, which led to progressive loss of membrane coverage.”

The study found that roofs designed after 1992’s devastating Hurricane Andrew performed well unless there were installation problems. These include internal pressurization from openings (typically created by failed accessories); perimeter detachment; and corrosion issues. As Andre Desjarlais, member of the RICOWI team, clarifies, “If you can’t hold the edge down, no matter what kind of roof you have, the whole thing is going to come down. The issue of fastener corrosion was seen over and over again.” When high speed winds entered buildings through these spaces, roofs were compromised.

Preparation For 2010
Careful installation practices can make a significant difference in a roof’s hurricane preparedness. According to the RICOWI study, nearly 95% of roof failures were caused by poor workmanship and substituted materials. We’ve seen, on occasion, nails from local hardware stores were used in place of proper fasteners. The question you should ask yourself now is this: “Is my roofing system prepared for a hurricane?

The Good News
If you’re unsure or have doubts, you really should call RAMCON to come and perform a comprehensive inspection. We offer free inspections and reviews for all our clients and will provide you documentation about that status of your system. We’ll help you document a dry roofing system which will aid you with your insurance company should a roof become damaged during a storm.
Our technicians will review the roof assembly, assure that all the rooftop units are secured and there are no weak spots in the system. We’ll identify missing fasteners, voids and punctures and much more so you can know your system is ready.