Drexel Metals has announced receiving approval for its third AIA CES accredited course - Course # 731 - Understanding Metal Roofing Engineering and Test Requirements. The new seminar focuses on metal roofing design and engineering and was written by Drexel Metals’ technical and engineering team. The seminar takes an in-depth look at the laundry list of testing requirements a metal roof manufacturer must go through in order to ensure products perform in their intended environment and application. The architect will learn each test definition, specific test agency and their required tests, how these tests are relative to the building code and how to differentiate between what's marketing and what is real world fact.

1. Understanding
Metal Roofing Engineering and
Testing

2. Who are they?
• UL – Underwriters Laboratories
• ASTM – American Society for Testing and
Materials
• FM – Factory Mutual

3. United Laboratories
• UL certifies, validates, tests, inspects, audits,
and advises a wide variety of products to
ensure that the products used either directly
or indirectly by the general public is safe as
specified by various guidelines.
• Drexel Metal Inc products fall under the
category of Roof Deck Construction (TGKX) in
accordance with UL.

4. ASTM
• Now known as ASTM International, is similar
to UL in that it is used around the world to
improve quality and enhance safety of
products.

5. Factory Mutual Global
• FM Global provides comprehensive global
commercial and industrial property insurance,
engineering-driven underwriting and risk
management solutions, groundbreaking
property loss prevention research and
prompt, professional claims handling.

6. Wind Up - Lift Test

7. UL580
What is it?
• UL 580 (a.k.a. uplift test) is a test
that applies both positive
(pressure) and negative (suction)
loads on the roof deck assembly.
These loads are both static and
oscillating for a specific time.
• It not only tests the panel but it
test the roof deck (solid)
assembly the panels are attached
to. Including ALL the
components!!
• Real world application would be
the wind uplift loads acting on
the roof system.
• Evaluates multiple layers.
What’s it look like?

8. UL 90
What is it?
• The Class 90 (UL 90) is the rating given to an roof
deck assembly test in accordance to UL 580.
• This means that the roof deck assembly has
achieved a Nominal (Average) Static uplift
pressure of 66 - 90 psf for a duration of 60
minutes, but it must also sustain a combined
pressure of -105 psf for 1 minute at the end of 60
minute cycling.

9. UL1897
What is it?
• The UL 1897 test is an extension to the UL 580
test.
• The purpose of this test is to provide uplift
resistance data regarding the securement of the
roofing system to the roof deck.
• The biggest difference between the two test is
that UL 580 is oscillating & static and UL 1897 is
static only.

10. TAS 125
What is it?
• TAS 125 is a combined test of the UL 580 and 1987
Wind Uplift, which requires three (3) tests, (2) field
tests and (1) corner test.
• This test represents an ultimate uplift pressure for a
sustained time of 1 minute without failure, per UL
1897.
• This gives Drexel the allowable design uplift pressure
for the panel installed over a particular assembly.

11. ASTM E-1592
What is it?
• This test method (a.k.a “Bag
Test”) is an evaluation of the
structural performance of sheet
metal panels under static air
pressure applied to the underside
of the roof or wall assembly.
• ASTM 1592 is tested over open
framing.
• Focuses on single layer
construction.
• Real world application would be
uplift pressures acting roof panel
due to wind.
What’s it look like?

12. Similarities and Differences
of
UL 580 & ASTM 1592
Similar
• Both evaluate the roof
under wind up-lift
conditions.
• Both evaluate the roof
panel configuration as well
as the accessories.
• Both measure the
deflection of the panel,
which would be a factor in
serviceability and design.
• Both are timed.
Different
• UL test can be tested over a
solid roof deck assembly
i.e., OSB, plywood, metal
deck, etc.
• ASTM test is tested over
open framing.
• ASTM is static
• UL is cyclical and static
• ASTM requires the panel to
return to the original shape.

13. Air and Water

14. TAS 100
What is it?
• TAS 100 is a Wind Driven Rain
test.
• Test the resistance of water
infiltration of a discontinued
roof system including
perimeter flashing details.
• Applicable to slopes of 2 on 12
or greater.
• Tested over plywood
substrate.
• Real world application would
be how wind driven rain acts
on a roof assembly.
What it look like?

15. Air Infiltration - ASTM E 1680
What is it?
• This test method is a
procedure to determine air
leakage under specific air
pressure differences.
• This test method is
exclusively for metal roof
panel systems conducted
over open framing.
• This test is performed with
and without seam sealant in
the female leg of the panel.
What’s it look like?

16. Water Infiltration - ASTM E1646
What is it?
• This test method is a standard procedure for determining the
resistance to water penetration under uniform pressure on
the sidelaps (field area) of the panels only.
• This test method is exclusively for metal roof panel systems
conducted over open framing.
• Uses the same test bed as ASTM E 1680.
• Real world application would be how wind driven rain acts on
a roof assembly.

17. Air Infiltration - ASTM E283
• This test method is a standard procedure for
determining the air leakage characteristics
under specified air pressures.
• This test method is for exterior windows,
curtain walls and doors.
• This test is ran in conjunction with ASTM E
331.
• Real world application would be how wind
would act on a wall assembly.

18. Water Resistance – ASTM E331
What is it?
• This test method is a standard procedure for
determining resistance to water penetration
under uniform static air pressure. The exterior
pressure is higher than the interior pressure.
• This test method is for exterior windows, curtain
walls, skylights, and doors.
• This test is ran in conjunction with ASTM E 283.
• Real world application would be how wind would
act on a wall assembly.

19. ASTM – E 2140
What is it?
•
•
•
This test method is a standard
procedure for determining water
leakage through metal roof panel
system sideseams, endlaps, and
roof plane penetrations when the
roof system is subjected to a
specified static water pressure
head.
A.k.a “Hydrostatic Water” test.
Real world application would be in
regions where drifting snow exists
on a roof would melt due to
thermal transfer from attic and
metal roof causing standing water
between the roof panel and snow
drift.
What’s it look like?

20. Debris and Hail

21. ASTM 1886-03
What is it?
•
•
•
This test method was designed to test the performance of windows, curtain walls, and
doors once their integrity has been compromised by wind blown debris.
Also known as the “Missile Test”, are similar to E 330; however, 1886 test the impact of
windborne debris. Real world application would be how debris from a structure’s
surrounding affects the performance of a building during a windstorm.
Basically once the building envelope becomes compromised the structure is no longer
considered a closed structure. For design purposes the design pressure could
potentially be increased by 30%.

22. ASTM E330
What is it?
• This test method test the structural performance of windows,
doors, skylights, and curtain walls under static air pressure.
• This would be comparable to the ASTM E 1592 except it is for
walls specifically.
• Real world application would be how wind load acts on a wall
system.

23. Hail Impact UL 2218
What is it?
• This test method test the resistance of an
entire roof covering to the impact of a steel
ball, which is a simulation of a hail stone.

24. Fire Resistance

25. UL 263 – Fire Resistance
What is it?
• The scope of this test method is to determine the ability of
composite materials of an assembly to retain it’s structural
integrity and/or resistance to heat during a period of time
exposed to interior heat or flame.
• This test is not to be confused with fire ratings Class A, B, or C.
The National Fire Protection Association NFPA is responsible
for assigning the classifications of ratings.
• The rating that UL provides is given in a time frame ½ hour, 1
hour, etc.

26. UL 790
What is it?
• The scope of this test method is to test the resistance
performance of an exterior roof covering material from a fire
outside a building.
• This test provides the roofing covering with either a Class A, B,
or C rating.
• The substructure can be either combustible or non
combustible material.
• This test is similar to ASTM E-108.

27. Concentrated Loads

28. FM 4471 – Foot Traffic What is it?
• Is a test to check the ability of a panel roof assembly to
resist foot traffic. There shall be no puncture of the
panel roof and no separation or disengagement of the
or end laps.
• The purpose of this test is to evaluate the structural
performance of the metal panel when a concentrated
load is placed on the panel at mid span.
• The only panel that we have in our inventory that has
undergone this test is our DMC 200 X 16” X 24 ga.
• Test is conducted over open framing.

29. Anatomy of a Florida Product Approval
• Product Approval Program Oversight Committee is a group of
individuals who oversee that the products (see below) used for
construction has undergone testing from a independent testing lap
approved by the State of Florida.
• The products: Panel walls, exterior doors, roofing products,
skylights, windows, shutters, structural components, and new and
innovative building envelope products.
• The products listed above must undergo a standardized test, or
comparative or rational analysis based on the Florida Building Code
as a guideline, which is a derived from the International Building
Code.
• Not to be confused with Miami Dade Notice of Acceptance.
• http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/committees/product_approval/
product_approval_powerpoint_031604.pdf

30. Anatomy of a Dade County Approval?
• Miami-Dade County Approval is a derivative of Florida Product
Approval, that is adapted for high velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ).
• Similar to Florida Product Approval it is governed by a oversight
committee, which ensures that the products submitted for approval
have undergone testing, or evaluative analysis under the guidelines
specific to Miami – Dade County .
• Section 8-40 PRODUCT APPROVALS. Any person desiring to use
– materials/products used for protection of the envelope of the
structure, limited to windows, exterior glazing, wall cladding, roofing,
exterior doors, skylights, glass block, siding and shutters shall obtain a
high wind velocity zone approval from the Florida Building Commission
or shall obtain a local approval from the Building Code Compliance
Office.

31. Anatomy of a TDI approval
• Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is a
regulator of all Texas-based insurance
companies and ensures that Texas consumers
have access to competitive and fair insurance
products.

32. Engineering

33. Codes
• Two of the major entities that play a major
part in providing guidelines for design loads
on various structures are the International
Building Code (IBC) and American Society of
Civil Engineers (ASCE) Minimum Design Loads
for Buildings and Other Structures.
• All fifty states have adopted or adapted their
own state code, based on the design methods
that these two organizations have developed.

34. Wind speed versus design pressure?
• Wind speed along with a number of other
variables are converted into a Velocity Pressure.
• These other variables relative to the design
pressure include: Exposure Factor, Importance
Factor, Topographic Factor, roof slope, roof
design, mean roof height.
• Important to understand that knowing these
factors will provide the best possible roof system
to withstand the theoretical design pressures
acting on the roof and wall system.
• It is also OUR responsibility!!!!!

35. Positive Loading v. Negative Loading
• Positive Load – forces acting toward the roof
or wall system (snow load, wind load, dead,
and live loads).
• Negative – forces acting away from the roof or
wall system (wind up-lift loads).
• Deflection – is the deformation of the roof or
wall panel over a specific linear dimension
l/180 is the standard deflection limit
applicable to metal roof panels.

36. Failure
Team 4: Steep Slope
Hurricane Charley
Clip Spacing
• Failure of a roof can come
from irregular spacing of
clips either in the field of
the roof or in the edge and
corner zones.
4-29-6. Older wood roof that lost shingles in the field
and at hip sections.
4-31-3. Standing-seam panels lifted from
irregularly placed clip attachment.

37. Failure
otte County EMS station. Pre6-11-2. Charlotte County EMS station. View
rance. Design for Edge and Corner Zone
of failed center roof and corner damage (arrows).
• It is important to
understand that when
designing for wind loads on,
any roof system, that there
are specific areas to be
considered when attaching
the metal roof panel to the
substructure.
otte County EMS station. Roof truss
or straps failed in tension.
6-11-4. Charlotte County EMS station.
Standing seams failed at all four corners.

38. Sample
Given
• Roof Type = Gable
• Slope = 6 on 12
• Eave Ht. = 20’
• Exposure Factor = “C”
(default)
• Wind Speed = 120 mph
• Risk Category = III
Wind Speed Map

39. Sample
Design Pressure
• Using the variables from the
previous slide the design
pressure would be the
following for each of the
zones illustrated on the
right.
• Zone 1 = -35.1 psf
• Zone 2 = -61.1 psf
• Zone 3 = -90.3 psf