Published October 2, 2025 – Revised October 17, 2025
An FM Approved roofing solution is a roofing system that has been rigorously tested and certified by FM Global (Factory Mutual), a leading international insurance organization specializing in property loss prevention and risk management. These roofing solutions meet strict performance standards for fire resistance, weather durability, and structural integrity. FM Approval provides building owners with assurance that their roofing system offers superior protection against common hazards while potentially reducing insurance costs and improving compliance with building regulations.
An FM Approved roofing solution is a complete roofing system that has earned certification from Factory Mutual (FM Global), one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers. This certification confirms that the roofing system has undergone comprehensive testing and meets strict performance standards for safety and durability.
The FM Approval process evaluates entire roofing assemblies—not just individual components. This means the membrane, insulation, fasteners, adhesives, and installation methods are all tested together as a complete system. Manufacturers must submit their roofing systems to FM Global’s research campus where they undergo a series of demanding tests simulating real-world hazards.
FM Approved roofing solutions receive specific ratings based on their performance levels. These ratings help building owners, architects, and contractors select appropriate systems based on a facility’s specific needs and location-based risk factors.
The certification provides objective verification that a roofing system will perform as expected under challenging conditions, making it a valuable risk management tool for industrial buildings and critical infrastructure facilities, such as data centers, energy plants, and telecommunication hubs, where uninterrupted operations and asset protection are essential.
FM Approved roofing solutions are crucial for or industrial buildings and critical infrastructure facilities because they provide superior protection against fire, severe weather, and other potential disasters. For facilities housing valuable equipment, sensitive data, inventory, or essential operations, this enhanced protection can prevent catastrophic losses and operational disruptions.
From an insurance perspective, FM Approved roofs often translate to improved insurability and potentially lower premiums. Insurance companies recognize that these certified systems significantly reduce risk, making buildings with FM Approved roofs more attractive to insure.
For large industrial facilities like manufacturing plants, warehouses, and distribution centers — as well as mission-critical sites such as data centers, telecommunications hubs, and energy infrastructure — FM Approved roofing systems offer long-term reliability, structural resilience, and consistent performance under demanding conditions, helping ensure uninterrupted operations and protection of critical assets.
The durability standards required for FM Approval also mean these roofing systems typically offer longer service lives with fewer maintenance issues. This longevity provides better protection for the building and its contents while reducing the total cost of ownership. For critical infrastructure, where even minor leaks or roof failures can lead to data loss, service outages, or equipment damage, the reliability of FM Approved roofing is particularly valuable.
FM Approved roofing systems also support sustainable building practices. FM Approvals certifies systems suitable for vegetative roofs, light-colored reflective membranes, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). These innovations help reduce energy consumption and support green building certifications.
PVC roofing systems meet FM Approval requirements through their proven ability to perform reliably under demanding conditions. High-quality PVC membranes offer inherent fire resistance, naturally resisting flame spread and combustion — making them ideal for buildings where fire safety is paramount, such as industrial facilities and critical infrastructure sites like data centers and energy plants.
The hot-air welded seams of PVC roofing create a continuous, watertight surface that excels in FM’s water penetration tests. These thermally bonded seams are stronger than the membrane itself, ensuring leak resistance even under extreme weather conditions—an essential feature for facilities where moisture intrusion could compromise sensitive equipment or operations.
PVC’s mechanical strength and flexibility allow it to withstand high wind uplift forces. When installed with appropriate fastening systems, PVC membranes can achieve top FM wind ratings, making them suitable for hurricane-prone regions and exposed roof geometries. Their durability against UV radiation, chemicals, and environmental pollutants ensures long-term performance with minimal maintenance.
Designers and contractors can use FM Approvals’ RoofNav® tool to configure and verify FM-approved roof assemblies. RoofNav simplifies the specification process by providing access to ratings calculators, installation guidelines, and hazard-specific recommendations—helping ensure that each roofing system is tailored to the building’s operational and environmental needs.
FM Global subjects roofing systems to an extensive battery of tests that simulate real-world hazards and extreme conditions. The most critical testing standards include fire resistance testing, which evaluates both above and below the deck fire exposure.
Wind uplift resistance testing is particularly rigorous, with roofing systems subjected to increasing negative pressure to simulate hurricane-force winds. The systems must remain intact without membrane tearing or fastener pullout to achieve various wind load classifications. These classifications help specifiers select appropriate systems based on a building’s location and exposure conditions.
Additional testing includes:
Only roofing systems that demonstrate exceptional performance across all these testing categories can earn FM Approval, ensuring they provide comprehensive protection against multiple hazards.
For more details on FM Global’s testing standards and rating system, read FM Approvals’ article on certified roofing systems.
Installing an FM Approved roofing system can significantly enhance a building’s risk profile. Insurance providers often recognize the reduced risk associated with these certified systems, which can lead to improved insurability and more favorable policy terms. For large industrial facilities and critical infrastructure projects—such as data centers, energy plants, and telecommunications hubs — FM Approved roofing systems offer long-term reliability and operational continuity, helping protect essential assets and services.
From a compliance standpoint, FM Approved roofing solutions typically exceed minimum building code requirements. This makes them especially valuable for facilities located in regions with increasingly stringent regulations or for buildings that support mission-critical operations. The comprehensive documentation provided with FM Approved systems also streamlines the building permit and inspection processes, supporting smoother project execution.
FM Approvals also conducts regular audits of manufacturing facilities to ensure ongoing compliance with quality and safety standards. This continuous oversight reinforces the reliability and consistency of FM Approved systems, giving building owners confidence in the long-term performance of their roofing solution.
Risk management professionals view FM Approved roofing as a key component of a robust property protection strategy. For organizations where uninterrupted operations are essential the enhanced protection offered by FM Approved roofing helps prevent costly downtime and business disruption. This operational reliability is a critical advantage that goes beyond insurance considerations.
For building owners seeking sustainable, long-term solutions, FM Approved PVC roofing systems deliver a proven combination of performance, protection, and durability. These systems offer peace of mind through verified testing and consistent service life with minimal maintenance.
Want to see how FM Approved roofing performs in large-scale, real-world applications? Kesko chose an FM Approved PVC roofing system for its largest construction project to date: the 85,000 m² Onnela logistics center in Hyvinkää Finland, serving Onninen and K-Auto.
Delivered by Suomen Teollisuuskatot, the roofing solution meets the highest standards in fire safety, durability, and long-term reliability making it ideal for demanding logistics operations.
When you’re ready to implement an FM Approved roofing solution for your industrial, commercial, or critical infrastructure building, Suomen Teollisuuskatot is your trusted provider of high-performance roofing systems.
Contact our roofing experts for consultation today to discuss how our expert team can help secure your building with an FM Approved roofing system tailored to your specific needs.
