RICOWI to Investigate Hail Roof Damage in Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues, Inc. (RICOWI, Inc.) has announced deployment of six research teams to the Dallas / Fort Worth hail damaged areas. The teams will be conducting the investigation from June 13, 2011 – June 17, 2011.

RICOWI is a non-profit international organization that has implemented a strategic plan for a Hail Investigation Program (HIP). The purpose of the research program is:

• To investigate the field performance of roofing assemblies after major hail storms
• To factually describe roof assembly performance and modes of damage
• To formally report the results for substantiated hail events

Hail Task Force Chair Richard Herzog said, "The data collected will provide unbiased detailed information on the hail resistance of low slope and steep slope roofing systems from credible investigative teams. We can expect a greater industry understanding of what causes roofs to perform or fail in hail storms, leading to overall improvements in roof system durability, the reduction of waste generation from re-roofing activities, and a reduction in insurance losses that will lead to lower overall costs for the public."

The published findings will document roofing systems that fail or survive major hail events and provide educational materials for roofing professionals to design hail-resistant roofing systems.

RICOWI members include all of the major roofing associations and members of academia, educational and testing facilities and others involved in the science of roofing. RICOWI's website (www.ricowi.com) provides additional detail on RICOWI's Hail and Wind Investigation Programs. Reports of past research are available for no charge on the website.