b'UPDATE This article is being reprinted from the Sep the difficulty ofclear Lexland into the tember 1994 Midwest Roofera result ofusing ABSformingBy asdome segments. The plastic would become Tom Smith\'s "Tech Transfer" article inProfes thin at the corners and other critical areas. usional Roofing of1995. In his article,ABSplastic this problem was eased. The November Smith discussed the limitations ofplastic is opaque so a clear plastic winfield testing for wind uplift resistance.While the article con dow is installed in each dome section so that ztained comments that shouldconsidered byviewing of the test procedure is possible from be a designing architectengineer, some clarifi all angles. or cations should be made.conzThe uplift test has never claimed that windAnother change involves the method of trolling the negative pressure under the dome. uplift was simulated. In fact, ASTMA shop-vac has been substituted for a vacuum carefully uomitted anytheto wind in ASTMmem pump. A rheostat that controls the speed of reference0907. The test was a/so developed to determine thethe motor has proven to be the most efficient attachment ofroofand roofway to regulate the changing uplift force inside insulation Illbrane, not the roofwood nailers, gravelthe dome.both ASTM and deck, stops, copings ormembers ofWith the recent changes in otherthe conI - struction, and can, ifbe usedFM standards and the renewed interest in wind questions arise, on an aged roofresistant roof construction, the result of assembly where deficienciesHurriare suspected - i.e., fastener rusting, stormcanes Hugo and Andrew, the benefits of this BY KURT BAUMGARTNER,damage, etc.testing to the roofing contractor are apparent. ASTM The uplift test as now specified byandThe ability to perform uplift testing on existing RAY JOHNSONFM is not perfect and does not answer allroof coverings that the contractor contemANDBOB I.A(OSSEquestions. However, it is all that is available atplates recovering can save all kinds of probthis time, and when properly used, is a valuablelems in the future. If poor attachment of the tool for determining the adherence of the roofroof covering is discovered, it may also be the membrane system. This equipment can be ben selling point that moves a reluctant owner to a eficial to building owners, insurance companies,bettera complete and more profitable solution, roofing contractors and others.tear-off and reroof. Factory Mutual Loss Prevention Data SheetThese tests can also be used to confirm that 1 ASTM E-907 both describe a test pro new construction meets the specified perfor-52 and cedure to perform nondestructive field upliftmance criteria. Wind damage, as most roofing testing of roof assemblies.contractors know, can give rise to disputes The FM Standard includes testing of most allover the integrity of the contractor\'s work. types of attached roof assemblies. The ASTMThese tests, when performed on the undamstandard is limited to built-up roofing, rigid insu aged portion ofcan give evidence of the roof, lation and steel deck, however, revisions areproper or improper construction in the dam-nearing completion to expand this standard to assemblies. The ASTM Standard includes temperature limitations on the roof surface during testing that are not included in the Factory Mutual tests. Otherween the two differences betstandards occur, but the basic procedure is the same for each. Both FM 1-52 and ASTM E-907 describe the basic test equipment for uplift testing. The equipment description is not intended to be restrictive because of improvements being made in equipment design through experience and technological advancements. The most recent improvement resulted from MRFebruary 9610'