News Releases

ZestyAI to Integrate IBHS’s Fast-Growing FORTIFIED Construction Standard Into Its Predictive Property and Climate Risk Platform 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA September 28, 2023 – Today, ZestyAI, the leading provider of climate and property risk analytics solutions powered by artificial intelligence, announced it has integrated the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) resilient construction standard, FORTIFIED, into Z-PROPERTY™, its AI-powered predictive property and climate risk platform. Z-PROPERTY uses computer vision and machine learning to extract insights from aerial and satellite imagery, among other unique data sources, for over 150 million residential and commercial properties.  

Read more
Guidance

Winter Weather Guidance for Home & Business Owners

CommercialResidential IBHS turns research and insights into actions policyholders may take to reduce costs associated with weather-related losses. Our winter weather guidance is on our policyholder-focused site, DisasterSafety.org. We encourage you to provide the links to policyholders via email, social channels, etc. Commercial Commercial Winter Weather ArticlesCommercial Winter Weather BulletinProtecting Businesses From Frozen PipesBuild a Business Continuity…

Read more
Wind

Wind Uplift of Asphalt Shingles

Research IBHS wind testing of asphalt shingle products has demonstrated that the most important factor affecting high-wind performance for self-sealing asphalt shingles is the strength of the seal between shingles. Self-sealing asphalt shingles contain a temperature-activated adhesive strip applied during the manufacturing process, which is used to adhere the lower-edge bottom surface of the exposed…

Read more
Wind

Wind Loads on Small Roof-Mounted Air-Conditioning Units

Research Failure of roof-mounted equipment (RME) during high-wind events can cause significant damage to the building where the RME is mounted as well as other buildings down wind. The failure of these elements can lead to tearing of the roofing membrane, which may result in a partial or total loss of the roof cover system.…

Read more
Wind

Discontinuous Metal Roofing

Research Most roofs and walls are made of layers. Often, the exterior layer is air-permeable, meaning air can pass through the different layers. When a building experiences pressure from wind, air-permeable coverings allow some pressure to pass through gaps, joints or holes to the layer beneath. This causes a partial equalization, meaning the exterior covering…

Read more
Wind

Wind Loads on Components of Multi-Layer Wall Systems with Air-Permeable Exterior Cladding

Research Post-hurricane damage assessments have documented the failure of wall components and connections including the loss of various types of siding materials. In addition, recent US model building/energy code changes are expected to lead to increased use of continuous insulation, particularly foam sheathing attached to the exterior surface of light-frame wall framing, to achieve advanced…

Read more