ASTM D3161/D3161M-20 PDF Download

The ASTM D3161/D3161M-20 standard provides a procedure for evaluating the wind resistance of various discontinuous, air permeable roofing products. The test determines the wind resistance resulting from a product's rigidity, mechanical interlocking, sealant contribution, or a combination of these factors.

The standard acknowledges that the results of the test may not directly correlate to wind speeds experienced in real-life conditions, as natural wind conditions vary in intensity, duration, and turbulence. Therefore, it does not account for factors such as building height, exposure category, or importance factor.

The wind resistance of a roofing product in the field can be influenced by several factors, including temperature, time, roof slope, contamination, and the quality and placement of fasteners and sealants. However, this test method is not designed to address all these influences. Instead, it evaluates the wind resistance of products when they are applied to test panels following the manufacturer's instructions and conditioned as specified before testing.

The method uses a fan-induced procedure to deliver a stream of air across the exposed surface of the test specimens. It should be noted that this test method does not measure the structural performance of the roofing product or provide a measure of uplift resistance. Furthermore, it is not applicable to continuous, non-permeable roof systems or coverings such as membranes or mechanically seamed metal roof panels.

While this test method was originally titled "Wind Resistance of Asphalt Shingles", it has been revised to acknowledge that it is applicable to various other steep slope roofing products. Some examples of products covered by this standard include polymer-based shingles, fiber-cement shingles, concrete tiles, clay tiles, metal shingles, and photovoltaic shingles. The standard also specifies that it is limited to steep slope roofing products with a maximum exposure of 410 mm [16 in.].