When building, purchasing, or retrofitting your building in a hail-prone area, follow these recommendations to reduce damage.
1
Ensure roof is in good condition
Inspect your roof, repair any wear and tear, and replace it when necessary. Learn how to inspect and maintain your commercial roof.
2
Select impact-rated skylights
- Select products that (1) meet at a minimum ASTM E1886 cyclic pressure test requirements and (2) are ASTM E1996 missile impacted rated “B,” “C,” “D,” or “E.”
- Alternatively, use products that are either FM Approved per ANSI/FM 4431 with severe hail rating, or Miami-Dade County Approved (MDCA) with current notice of acceptance.
3
Protect roof-mounted HVAC equipment
Select equipment that is capable of withstanding hail impacts or install protection such as hail guards, shields, and wire mesh. If a hail guard or shield is installed, it should also be properly designed to resist estimated uplift pressures as defined by ASCE 7.
4
Select impact-resistant solar panels
Select solar panels designed to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, per the IEC 61215 code, which includes a provision for impact resistance. The code requires that panels meet the FM 4473 Class 4 impact test rating as part of the IEC requirements.
