What does FM Global emphasize in its guidelines?

• A. Risk reduction and loss prevention, often more conservative than IBC/ASCE.
• B. Aesthetic considerations for roofing projects.
• C. Short-term cost minimization.
• D. General fire safety only for residential roofs.

Answer: (A)

FM Global emphasizes risk reduction and loss prevention in its guidelines. Their guidance focuses on designing, installing, and maintaining roofing and building envelope systems to minimize both the probability of failures and the severity of consequences from hazards like fire, wind, and water intrusion. Because the goal is to protect property and reduce insured losses, the recommendations tend to be more conservative than typical building code minimums (IBC/ASCE) to ensure higher reliability and resilience in real-world conditions. This isn’t about aesthetics, short-term cost cutting, or limited to residential roofs; the emphasis spans commercial and industrial contexts, with detailed criteria for performance, redundancy, inspections, and ongoing maintenance that support long-term protection and loss prevention.