Wind Design of Roof Systems

What’s New, What’s the Same

May 2020
Sponsored by GAF

Presented by Jennifer Keegan, AIA, and James R. Kirby, AIA

Continuing Education

Use the following learning objectives to focus your study while reading this month’s Continuing Education article.

Learning Objectives - After reading this article, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the similarities and differences between the three versions of ASCE 7 and the roofing industry-developed methods to determine loads.
  2. Identify the foundational elements involved in determining wind loads acting on a building.
  3. Differentiate between the load side and the resistance side and understand how each are presented within the roofing industry.
  4. Explain the recent changes and impact of the new information contained in FM’s Loss Prevention Data Sheets 1-28 and 1-29.

Wind design of roof systems can be complicated. Let’s face it, there’s math involved! The latest version of ASCE 7 has only added complexity to the design process. This presentation will focus on understanding the design process laid out in ASCE 7-16, as well as discuss the similarities and differences between the three versions of ASCE 7 (-05, -10 and -16). Changes to ASCE 7-16 influence related wind design methods. This presentation will also discuss updates to FM’s wind design process and the requirements within their related Loss Prevention Data Sheets (e.g., LPDS 1-28 and 1-29).

Photo courtesy of GAF

Jennifer Keegan is the Director of Building & Roofing Science for GAF, focusing on overall roof system design and performance. She has over 20 years of experience as a building enclosure consultant specializing in assessment, design and remediation of building enclosure systems. Jennifer provides technical leadership within the industry as the Chair of the ASTM D08.22 Roofing and Waterproofing Subcommittee; and as an advocate for women within the industry as the educational chair for National Women in Roofing and a board member of Women in Construction.

James R. Kirby, AIA, GAF’s Building and Roofing Science Architect, has a Masters of Architectural Structures and is a licensed architect. He has nearly 25 years of experience in the roofing industry covering low-slope roof systems, steep-slope roof systems, metal panel roof systems, spray polyurethane foam roof systems, vegetative roof coverings and rooftop photovoltaics. Jim presents building and roofing science information to architects, consultants and building owners, and writes articles and blogs for building owners and facility managers, and the roofing industry. He is a member of AIA, ASTM, ICC, MRCA, NRCA, IIBEC and the USGBC.