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FMDS0109
FMDS0109
Table of Contents
Page
List of Figures
Fig. 1.1-1. Roof damaged in the 1938 New England Hurricane (after debris removal) ............................... 2
Fig. 1.1-2. Wind failure mode to plank-on-timber building with roof anchored at walls but not at columns .. 3
Fig. 1.1-3. Typical plank-on-steel building ...................................................................................................... 3
Fig. 2.2.1.3-1. Effective area of parapet above beam in unreinforced masonry wall ................................... 4
Fig. 2.2.1.4-1. Effective area of wall above anchor attachment points in unreinforced masonry wall .......... 5
Fig. 3.1-1. Wood roof members resting on a wood column ........................................................................... 6
Fig. 3.1-2. Closeup of wood roof beam resting on wood column with metal column cap ............................. 7
Fig. 3.1-3. Closeup of column cap (green) in Figure 1.1-3 (the column cap is not secured to the column) . 7
Fig. 3.1-4. Wood roof beam rests on metal plate in brick wall ...................................................................... 8
Fig. 3.1-5. Base of unanchored building column resting on floor .................................................................. 8
Fig. 3.1-6. Wood roof beams in wall pockets anchored with long steel straps and masonry anchors into
brick walls ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Fig. 3.1-7. Wood roof beam anchored with short steel straps and masonry anchors ................................... 9
Fig. 3.1-8. Metal bracket added during renovation to anchor roof beam to the top of the building
column (courtesy WinnResidential LP) ....................................................................................... 10
Fig. 3.1-9. Closeup of metal bracket in Figure 3.1-8 (courtesy WinnResidential LP) .................................. 10
Fig. 3.1-10. Metal bracket in Figures 3.1-8 and 3.1-9 (courtesy WinnResidential LP) ................................ 11
Fig. 3.1-11. Base of wood column secured to new concrete floor poured over the original wood plank
floor (courtesy WinnResidential LP) .......................................................................................... 11
Fig. 3.2-1. Plank-on-timber textile mill in Pawcatuck, CT damaged by the 1938 hurricane ....................... 12
Fig. 3.2-2. Plank-on-timber textile mill damaged by the 1938 hurricane .................................................... 12
List of Tables
Table 2.2.1.3-1. Approximate Weight of Brick and Stone in Walls ................................................................. 4
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1-9 Roof Anchorage for Older, Wood-Roofed Buildings
Page 2 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets
1.0 SCOPE
This data sheet provides guidance for anchoring roof-support members and building columns against wind
uplift on older (generally pre-1940s), wood-roofed buildings. These are plank-on-timber, plank-on-wood truss,
plank-on-steel, or board-on-joist buildings built before wind uplift was considered in building construction.
These “mill” buildings have brick or stone walls with roof-support members resting on interior building columns
or on brick or stone walls with short or, in many cases, no anchors to prevent lifting. With no anchors, wind
uplift is resisted only by the weight of the roof and parapets (when present). This data sheet does not apply
to wood-frame construction in which roofs and walls have wood joists and wood studs, respectively.
Refer to the following data sheets for guidance on wind design for other building components, including walls
and roof assemblies, and for safeguards during construction:
• Data Sheet 1-0, Safeguards During Construction, Alteration and Demolition
• Data Sheet 1-28, Wind Design
• Data Sheet 1-29, Roof Deck Securement and Above-Deck Roof Components
• Data Sheet 1-31, Panel Roof Systems
• Data Sheet 1-49, Perimeter Flashing
1.1 Hazards
Insufficient anchorage of roof-support members has been the major reason for wind damage to older,
wood-roofed buildings. Figure 1.1-1 shows hurricane damage to a plank-on-timer building where the roof
beams rested on the interior columns without any anchorage, with wind uplift resisted only by the weight of
the roof and roof-support members. Hurricane winds then lifted the roof-support members off the building
columns and the walls collapsed (Figure 1.1-2).
Fig. 1.1-3 shows the roof interior of a typical plank-on-steel building where roof-support members rest on
interior columns. See Section 3.0 for construction details.
Fig. 1.1-1. Roof damaged in the 1938 New England Hurricane (after debris removal)
Lack of anchorage
Anchors resist lifting permits roof t o be lifted
of roof at eaves
Top story column t opples
Lifting of roof at center
pulls upper story walls Column normally rests on
inward pintle without any attachment
Fig. 1.1-2. Wind failure mode to plank-on-timber building with roof anchored at walls but not at columns
1.2 Changes
February 2020. This data sheet has been completely revised. Major changes include the following:
A. Changed the title to Roof Anchorage for Older, Wood-Roofed Buildings (from Roof Anchorage).
B. Revised the scope of the document to apply only to older, wood-roofed buildings (new construction
should follow guidance in DS 1-28).
C. Deleted the following sections, which are now addressed in Data Sheet 1-28:
• 3.1.3 Connection to Concrete Block Wall
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 Use FM Approved equipment, materials, and services whenever they are applicable and available.
For a list of products and services that are FM Approved, see the Approval Guide and RoofNav, as applicable.
Fig. 2.2.1.3-1. Effective area of parapet above beam in unreinforced masonry wall
2.2.1.4 Determine the weight of a masonry wall on attachment points for steel straps by multiplying the
effective area of the wall (shaded area in Figure 2.2.1.4-1) by the unit weight of the construction material
using Table 2.2.1.3-1.
Only the weight of an unreinforced masonry wall can be used against wind uplift because the mortar bond
between masonry units has minimal uplift resistance. Modern reinforced masonry walls should have a grouted
bond beam in the top course that is secured to the foundation. Refer to Data Sheet 1-49, Perimeter Flashing,
for information on bond beams.
Fig. 2.2.1.4-1. Effective area of wall above anchor attachment points in unreinforced masonry wall
2.2.1.5 Design steel parts in accordance with the latest edition of the American Institute of Steel Construction
(AISC) Steel Construction Manual or equivalent outside the United States.
If steel anchorage members will be subjected to a corrosive atmosphere, they may be galvanized or similarly
treated to prevent corrosion.
2.2.1.6 Design wood connections in accordance with the latest edition of the American Wood Council’s
National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction.
2.2.1.7 Design anchors for structural concrete in accordance with the latest edition of ACI 318, Building Code
Requirements for Structural Concrete or equivalent outside the United States.
2.2.1.8 Design anchors for masonry according to the latest edition of TMS 402/602, Building Code
Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures.
If the building contains heavy, vibrating machinery, expansion shields attached to masonry may pull out. This
can be prevented by using through bolts. If sizable holes have been made through floors to install anchors
at columns and walls, fill them with FM Approved fire stopping material to prevent the passage of fire or
leakage of water.
3.1 General
Unanchored roof-support members and building columns can usually be easily discovered since many of
these buildings were constructed with open areas with these connections exposed. See Figures 3.1-1 through
3.1-5 showing unanchored connections. Hardware, such as steel straps, angles, through bolts, and lag
screws needed for securement should be clearly visible. See Figures 3.1-6 through 3.1-9 and 3.1-11 for
anchored connections. Nails and spikes toenailing heavy members on plank-on-timber buildings to each other
do not provide adequate anchorage.
Roof beams at the perimeter of plank-on-timber buildings may be secured to brick walls with steel straps
attached to the wall as in Figures 3.1-6 and 3.1-7. Elsewhere, the designers may have relied on the dead
load of the thick wood or steel beams, wood planking and built-up tar and gravel roofing to hold the roof
members down.
Although these types of plank-on-timber buildings are not constructed today, a large number are still in service,
especially in the northeastern United States. Many still house manufacturing, while others have been and
continue to be renovated for office, residential, or retail use. Renovations provide an opportunity to properly
secure the roof members and columns, although these can be easily anchored any time.
Fig. 3.1-2. Closeup of wood roof beam resting on wood column with metal column cap
Fig. 3.1-3. Closeup of column cap (green) in Figure 1.1-3 (the column cap is not secured to the column)
Fig. 3.1-4. Wood roof beam rests on metal plate in brick wall
Fig. 3.1-6. Wood roof beams in wall pockets anchored with long steel straps and masonry anchors into brick walls
Fig. 3.1-7. Wood roof beam anchored with short steel straps and masonry anchors
Fig. 3.1-8. Metal bracket added during renovation to anchor roof beam to the top of the building column (courtesy
WinnResidential LP)
Fig. 3.1-9. Closeup of metal bracket in Figure 3.1-8 (courtesy WinnResidential LP)
Fig. 3.1-10. Metal bracket in Figures 3.1-8 and 3.1-9 (courtesy WinnResidential LP)
Fig. 3.1-11. Base of wood column secured to new concrete floor poured over the original wood plank floor (courtesy
WinnResidential LP)
Fig. 3.2-1. Plank-on-timber textile mill in Pawcatuck, CT damaged by the 1938 hurricane
The 1-minute sustained windspeed at first landfall on Long Island, NY was 121 mph (54 m/s), and it was
115 mph (51 m/s) at landfall in Connecticut. Category 3 winds affected CT, NY, and RI, while Category 2 winds
affected MA. Categories are per the Saffir-Simson scale with 1-minute sustained windspeeds. Landfall
windspeeds are from the reanalysis of this storm by the National Weather Service in 2014. The original landfall
windspeed in Long Island, NY was 98 mph (44 m/s).
4.0 REFERENCES
4.1 FM Global
Data Sheet 1-1, Firesafe Building Construction and Materials
Data Sheet 1-28, Wind Design
Data Sheet 1-31, Metal Roof Systems
Data Sheet 1-49, Perimeter Flashing
4.2 Other
American Concrete Institute (ACI). ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete.
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). Steel Construction Manual.
American Wood Council (AWC). ANSI/AWC NDS-2018, National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood
Construction.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures. (ASCE-2005, ASCE-2010, or ASCE-2016 as required by local code).
The Masonry Society (TMS). TMS 402/602-16, Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry
Structures.
February 2020. This data sheet has been completely revised. Major changes include the following:
A. Changed the title to Roof Anchorage for Older, Wood-Roofed Buildings (from Roof Anchorage).
B. Revised the scope of the document to apply only to older, wood-roofed buildings (new construction
should follow guidance in DS 1-28).
C. Deleted the following sections, which are addressed in Data Sheet 1-28:
• 3.1.3 Connection to Concrete Block Wall
• 3.1.4 Wood Frame Buildings
• 3.1.5 Steel Buildings With Corrugated Roof Panels
• 3.1.6 Permanently Open Buildings
June 2009. Editorial changes were made.
May 2000. This document has been reorganized to provide a consistent format.
May 1998. This document was revised. .