Seattle, Washington -- Gaco Western's polyurethane roofing system has been approved to withstand harsh hurricane winds, the coatings and spray foam maker said in a 10 Aug announcement.
The company's RoofFoam spray PU foam carries the Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance, certifying that the foam will protect the roof at wind speeds up to 150 miles (241 km) per hour when applied over concrete, steel, or a smooth-surface built-up roof deck.
"Ever since hurricane Andrew, Miami-Dade building officials have been asking manufacturers to step up to the challenges of hurricanes," said Chuck Skalski, vice president, GacoFlex Coatings. "Our products have met and exceeded the building code requirements that can protect people from the danger posed by the high winds in a hurricane."
Gaco Western RoofFoam will not be blown off a substrate during a category 5 hurricane, according to the tests. The tests were conducted using the requirements set out in Miami-Dade building codes, with the performance test specification TAS 110. Gaco said these test results are valid for a properly installed and maintained roof. The roof foam forms a monolithic seal over the roof deck, making it impossible for wind to lift the foam off the roof deck.
Gaco said forecasters have predicted that 2011 will be an active Atlantic hurricane season, but that building owners with Gaco Western roofs can be confident of the integrity of their roofs in a storm.
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