On September 30, 2024, ANSI approved an updated version of the test standard “ANSI/SPRI/FM ADT-1: Test Standard for Evaluation of Roofing Adhesive and Board Stock in Tensile Loading for Low Slope Roofing Systems”. This standard is designed for use by roof system manufacturers, roofing component manufacturers, accreditation bodies, certification services, and roofing contractors and owners of low slope roofing systems.
The primary objective of this standard is to outline the procedures and requirements necessary to evaluate the tensile resistance and failure loads of adhesive and board stock, components critical to the structural integrity of roofing systems. By understanding the weakest combinations of these parts, the scope of full-scale wind uplift testing can be reduced.
The standard provides definitions for critical terms such as adhesive, failure load, and wind uplift. It also explains standard laboratory conditions and introduces the tools necessary for testing, including a tensile tester and a 6 x 6 test jig.
Safety precautions are specified in the standard, including the need for safety shoes, safety glasses, and gloves, especially during specimen preparation. The test is destructive, and the necessary protocols must be followed to ensure the safety of the personnel.
The standard lists detailed steps for creating a specimen, securing it and conducting the test. It also instructs on recording the data about the manufacturer of all component materials used, conditioning of the test specimen, adhesive application method, adhesive application rate, manufacturer of the tensile testing equipment and model number, calibration date of the tensile testing equipment, failure load of each specimen tested, and the mode of failure for each specimen tested.
The update to ANSI/SPRI/FM ADT-1 continues to be a valuable tool for optimizing the performance of roof systems and ensuring they can withstand the forces they are exposed to, such as wind uplift. This standard not only enhances the reliability of roofing systems but also contributes to the overall improvement of safety standards across the industry.