FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing standard developed by the [Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)|ibhs.org] to help strengthen homes and commercial buildings against severe weather hazards, including high winds, hail, and wind-driven rain. Developed by IBHS after decades of laboratory and field research, FORTIFIED includes requirements that may exceed local building-code requirements and are intended to improve a building’s resistance to storm damage.

When preparing an estimate for roof work that must meet the FORTIFIED standard—whether the property is being upgraded to FORTIFIED as part of a roof replacement covered by a FORTIFIED Roof endorsement or restoring a previously FORTIFIED-designated roof—you may need to include the items listed below in addition to standard roofing components. Some items may already be required by the locally adopted building code. Confirm the applicable FORTIFIED requirements, local code requirements, policy terms, and scope of loss for the project

1. REMOVAL OF SHINGLES & FELT

FORTIFIED does not allow a second layer of shingles to be installed over an existing layer

2. RE-NAILING THE ROOF DECK

FORTIFIED requires the existing roof deck to be re-nailed using additional 8D ring-shank nails spaced nominally at 4” o.c. for Hurricane designations and 6” o.c. for High Wind designations (unless the existing nailing meets these requirements already)

3. SEALED ROOF DECK

FORTIFIED allows three methods for waterproofing the gaps where plywood or OSB roof decking meet:

• Two layers of #30 felt
• 4” modified bitumen tape on all seams and one layer of #30 felt or synthetic underlayment (Note: Huber Zip sheathing with Zip tape qualifies as sealed roof deck without additional underlayment)
• One layer of fully adhered membrane and one layer of #15 felt

4. DRIP EDGE

FORTIFIED requires 26g minimum metal drip edge installed OVER the underlayment, that extends at least 2” over the roof and at least 1/2” below the bottom of the sheathing

5. STARTER STRIP

For a FORTIFIED designation, the edge shingles at the eave and rakes must be adhered, and there are two acceptable methods:

• A starter strip embedded in mastic
• A self-adhered starter strip

6. ROOF-MOUNTED VENTS

All roof-mounted vents must meet TAS 100(A) testing standards

7. FLASHING

When re-roofing to FORTIFIED standards, all flashing must be replaced

 8. ROOF COVERINGS

• Roof coverings must meet local code requirements
• Shingles must meet ASTM D3161 (Class F) or ASTM D7158 (Class H)
• Other roof covers types must have tested design pressure ratings that meet or exceed the required design uplift pressures for the site

9. GABLE END VENTS

Gable end vents must be able to prevent water intrusion, and there are two methods allowed:

• Gable end vents meet TAS 100(A) testing standards
• Each gable end vent must have a removable, water-resistant cover/shutter with permanent fasteners

10. SKYLIGHTS

• Damaged skylights must be replaced. Re-glazing will not meet FORTIFIED standards
• If seeking the optional Hail Supplement, skylights must meet impact resistant requirements

11. EVALUATOR

• FORTIFIED requires that an independent third-party evaluator submit specific documentation that the upgrades listed were installed properly and using compliant materials
• The FORTIFIED-certified Evaluators who provide the documentation set their own fees; typically, FORTIFIED Roof Evaluations cost between $400 and $750

*Depending on the specific building code being enforced, some of these items may already be required.