SpecTips: A Sustainable Solution to Very Severe Hail Requirements
FM Global, an international insurer of commercial buildings, has traditionally recommended that its insured building owners in areas of the country which receive frequent hail damage use Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet FM 1-34, "Hail Damage". FM 1-34 outlines recommendations and contains a map of the U.S. outlining areas of Moderate Hail (MH) and Severe Hail (SH). In 2014, FM determined it needed another category to stress the importance of the risk and created the Very Severe Hail (VSH) classification, which is included in their FM 1-34 document. The VSH classification encompasses areas of the U.S. that are affected by hail that is equal to or greater than two inches in diameter. Fourteen states fall under the VSH classification, all of which are in the central region of the country.
Due to the increased size of hail expected in the VSH region, Carlisle conducted testing of new roof assembly combinations utilizing existing and new cover boards for this FM classification. Both StormBase and EcoStorm VSH™ were the standout cover boards in the VSH assemblies being tested. However, the only cover board which works for VSH assemblies and is sourced from post-industrial and post-consumer waste streams is EcoStorm VSH.
EcoStorm VSH is an engineered composite building material made from a proprietary blend of plastic and cellulose fiber which is sourced from post-industrial and post-consumer waste streams. EcoStorm VSH is a durable, extremely moisture- and mold-resistant material with a core that does not disintegrate or delaminate in the presence of water. It has a compressive strength of 3,990 psi and for every 1,000 square feet of EcoStorm VSH installed, the equivalent of one ton of waste is diverted from landfills.
TIPS
To specify EcoStorm VSH, include it as a Substrate Board for your single-ply roof assembly in Part II - Products of the appropriate single-ply roof section of your project specification.
Division 7 – Thermal and Moisture Protection
• 075323 – Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM) Roofing
• 075419 – Polyvinyl-Chloride (PVC) Roofing
• 075423 – Thermoplastic-Polyolefin (TPO) Roofing
EcoStorm VSH is 1/2" thick and has a panel size of 4'-0" x 8'-0" and a compressive strength of 3,990 psi. For more information, click here.
For more information about VSH-approved systems from Carlisle, click here.
Up Next
SpecTopics: Understanding ASTM Standards for Roofing Membranes
When it comes to single-ply roofing, there are specific ASTM standards for each membrane type. Each of these standards was reviewed and approved by the entire ASTM membership, which includes roofing membrane manufacturers, building scientists, consultants, and raw material suppliers. When reviewing or comparing products with properties tested to a prescribed standard, it’s helpful to understand how these standards are constructed and organized.
SpecTips: Harnessing the Wind for Powerful Roof System Securement
With the seemingly endless number of roofing products and systems available today, it can be more difficult than ever to choose a system that is the right solution for your project. This is especially true when exploring re-roofing or retrofit options that require a simple installation and are cost-effective, while also meeting performance requirements. When you factor in today’s volatile building products market, it becomes even more challenging to decide on a system that’s right for your project and is available in a reasonable amount of time
SpecTopics: Heat Island Reduction Credit and LEED® V4/V4.1
It seems there are some misconceptions in the marketplace when it comes to achieving the Heat Island Reduction Credit for LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) V4 and V4.1. To help provide clarity, this SpecTopic is all about white reflective roofing and its role in the Heat Island Reduction Credit.