Roof Wind Uplift Testing

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.

Roof wind uplift testing.

Fm loss prevention data sheet 1 52 fm 1 52 field uplift tests provides for two methods of testing wind uplift resistance. To ensure a correctly built metal roof there are a variety of wind uplift tests manufacturers use to test their metal panel systems. The negative pressure test utilizes a five foot by five foot dome that is placed over the roofing membrane surface. It starts by evacuating the air on the top side of the roof and then lets the atmospheric pressure push on the bottom side.

For mechanically attached single ply roofing systems the test involves building a roof assembly on a test frame that measures 12 feet by 24 feet. The specific test that pertains to wind uplift utilizes a test apparatus designed by fm approvals. The test is performed on a 10 square foot section of the roof. This creates an uplift form which is then measured.

The video below is a demonstration of the wind uplift tests on the butler mr 24 roof. In laboratory testing wind uplift forces are applied and carefully measured in pounds per square foot psf gradually increasing the psf force until roof system failure occurs. The test frame has the appropriate roof deck attached to supports. The negative pressure test and the bonded uplift test.

The ul 1897 wind test is a continuation of ul 580 and is the standard for uplift tests for roof covering systems.