Protect your roof with an FM Approved roof system

The quality mark is proof of one of the highest achievable standards in roofing materials and systems, and working in accordance with FM Approval is also a growing trend in the European market.

The first and most important reason: it is one of the highest certifications achievable on the market. If you certify your products or complete roof system according to European standards, you comply with the (legal) requirements. If you adhere to FM Global standards, you can be as sure as possible that your roof (system) is made of high quality. Very high quality, with minimal risk. 

This is because FM Global only insures buildings that meet their own standards. And those standards are high. The insurance company naturally minimises its risk by constructing buildings with quality products. 

This is smart from a business point of view and good for the quality of buildings and roofs worldwide. Because it is now widely known that products and systems with FM Approval are top of the range. 

At least in the United States, this is common knowledge. In Europe, awareness is now growing among project developers, engineers, architects, consultants and building owners. It is not strong growth, but we are definitely seeing growth. The second reason for us to invest in FM Approvals is the growth in the European market. The most important markets are the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, Germany and Poland. But we also see potential in the rest of Europe. 

Construction professionals and investors in these countries see two important reasons for choosing FM Approvals for the products, materials and roof systems used in their buildings: 

• It is the highest achievable rating for quality products and systems and therefore the safest and most reliable choice for their property.
• It is an interesting factor in attracting large tenants from the United States to their European buildings.

All reasons to work with FM Approved products and roof systems. Reasons that together have only one goal: to install a roof of such quality that it passes the FM tests with flying colours. Because then you can be as sure as possible that your building is safe under the most extreme (wind) conditions. 

How an FM wind load calculation is made

A wind load calculation is intended to determine the wind conditions under which a roof will remain intact. To design a roof system that can withstand the calculated wind load. In other words: is the quality high enough to withstand (extreme) conditions? 

That is why, for every new project, all the building data is first requested, the terrain is examined and the applicable wind load is determined. Based on this, a wind load calculation is made. 

Firstly, in accordance with European regulations and any national annexes of the country concerned, and then in accordance with FM standards. To do this, we use a tool that is fully compliant with European and FM wind load standards. 

You enter the products and systems to be used into the database, fill in further values – such as the type of terrain, the wind speeds at the location, the height of the building and the type of construction – and immediately generate the FM wind load calculation digitally. This results in an assessment in the form of a roof design with a fastening pattern.

Based on this, we issue a recommendation. An initial recommendation in accordance with EU regulations – concerning the widths of roofing membranes and choices in roof fastening materials – and then a recommendation that goes a step further in terms of quality materials and systems that meet FM Global requirements. The latter is therefore in accordance with one of the highest standards, calculated using the FM wind load calculation method. 

Depending on the level of safety and minimising the risk in windy conditions, the developer can then choose one of these recommendations. The standard, or the maximum in achievable quality and safety.