The performance of commercial roof systems under wind loads is dependent on two main factors: (1) the wind loads the building is subjected to and (2) how these wind loads are transferred through the roof system. While there is a good understanding of the wind loads that low-rise buildings are subjected to, the performance of the roof system is largely determined through standardized testing. This testing relies on numerous simplifications and assumption that may not be representative of true wind performance under real wind loading.

To understand whether these assumptions are accurate, and whether the test standard is adequate, IBHS installed a standing seam metal roof system on a commercial building in the IBHS Research Center large test chamber and measured wind forces on both the roof and connections.