This first article discusses FM Data Sheet 1-28, revised in January 2000.
In the years 1999 and 2000, commercial and industrial property insurer FM Global (formerly known as the Factory Mutual System) issued revisions to several of its Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets that directly affect roofing systems and roofing contractors. Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets 1-7, 1-28, 1-29, 1-31 and 1-49 were revised, and Data Sheet 1-32 issued to cover the examination and evaluation of existing PVC roof coverings.
The former Factory Mutual System became FM Global in July 1999 following the merger of Allendale Insurance, Arkwright and Protection Mutual Insurance companies, and their jointly owned affiliate Factory Mutual Research Corporation. FMRC, now called Factory Mutual Research, remains an independent, non-profit scientific organization and is an affiliate of FM Global. The research and product testing conducted by Factory Mutual Research is done primarily to help insurance policy holders of FM Global to better understand the property hazards at their facilities and find new ways to reduce their risks of property losses. FM Global and Factory Mutual Research, whether by chance or choice, have become a dominant influence in the roofing industry, with their recommendations for construction referenced by designers, trade associations and insureds. Some of their engineering guidelines have found their way into model building codes.