SPRI, the leading authority on single-ply roofing industry standards, hosted its highly anticipated Wind Design Seminar 2024. This premier event brought together professionals from across the roofing industry to deepen their understanding of roofing assemblies, wind-related standards, and essential design practices. The seminar provided a collaborative platform for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and professional growth. 

Attended by 57 industry experts, including eight first-time participants, the seminar featured informative sessions and engaging presentations delivered by leading figures in the field. The event was enhanced by a pre-seminar video that provided attendees with a foundational understanding of critical topics such as ASCE 7, FM Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets (1-28 & 1-29), and ANSI/SPRI standards. Nearly 90% of participants credited the video with significantly improving their seminar experience. 

Key Highlights 

The seminar showcased comprehensive discussions on several impactful topics led by distinguished presenters, including: 

• Introduction to ASCE 7 
   Brian Chamberlain provided an introduction to ASCE 7, a critical standard in roofing assembly certification and wind design calculations. 
• Understanding SPRI’s Mission 
   Chadwick Collins, SPRI Technical Director, highlighted the organization's role as a hub for addressing challenges and advancing standards within the roofing industry. 
• FM Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets 
   Brian Chamberlain outlined the relevance of FM standards in roofing projects, with a particular focus on FM-insured buildings. 
• Edge Metal Standards – ES-1 & GT-1 
   Bob LeClare emphasized the importance of edge metal standards in ensuring rooftop wind resistance and compliance with building codes. 
• Ballasted and Vegetative Roofing Systems 
   Brian Chamberlain reviewed best practices for wind-resistant ballasted systems and explored vegetative roofing as a resilient design solution. 
• Wind Design Practices – WD-1 
   Sean Koren detailed Rational Analysis Methods and securement techniques critical to rooftop design. 
• Field Testing & Substrate Verification 
   Colin Griswold introduced FX-1 and IA-1 standards to ensure robust field testing procedures for reroofing projects. 
• White Papers on Rooftop Equipment and Internal Pressure 
   Brian Chamberlain presented key considerations for securing equipment and mitigating internal pressure effects to support long-term roof performance. 

Advancing the Roofing Industry 

The SPRI Wind Design Seminar 2024 underscored SPRI’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the roofing industry. By providing attendees with actionable insights and best practices, the seminar equips professionals with the knowledge needed to advance their expertise and adapt to evolving industry challenges. 

SPRI encourages those unable to attend to explore its expansive library of standards, white papers, and educational content. Stay connected for future seminars and resources by visiting SPRI’s website.