A Guide to the FORTIFIED Certification Process

Once a property owner decides they want their roof or structure to have a FORTIFIED certification, there are three main parts to the process. The order of hiring these individuals may vary based on the experience of the contractor.

Step 1: Hire a Certified Evaluator

This individual is an engineer or inspector who will complete all the paperwork for the project. They perform an evaluation of the structure to determine and communicate the specific requirements for the new roof or enhancements to both the contractor and the owner.

You can search for FORTIFIED Evaluators at the official provider link: https://fortifiedproviders.com/

Important Note: FORTIFIED Evaluators do not specify particular brand names or types of products for installation. Instead, they communicate the performance requirements, such as wind uplift design pressures. These requirements are not one-size-fits-all; they are based on specific factors like the roof type (e.g., hip vs. gable), roof height, and the structure’s exposure.

An example of an evaluator’s calculations would confirm that the roof covering must meet specific wind uplift design pressures. The engineer or FORTIFIED Evaluator will perform these necessary calculations to confirm the requirements for the home to get the certification.

Step 2: Hire a Certified, Approved FORTIFIED Installer/Contractor

Certified contractors can also be found at the official provider link: https://fortifiedproviders.com/

It is crucial that the contractor fully understands the requirements for FORTIFIED certification and installs all products correctly, precisely meeting the program’s standards. To ensure this, the contractor will be required to take specific photos and schedule inspections with a FORTIFIED Evaluator or engineer, as mandated by the program.

Step 3: Final Approval and Certification

Once the project is completed, the contractor must work with the evaluator/engineer to process and submit the necessary paperwork to FORTIFIED for final approval and certification. The final certificate can then be provided to the insurance company, demonstrating that the project has been completed and certified by FORTIFIED as meeting all requirements.

D7 Metals and Distributors: Our Roles in the FORTIFIED Project

It’s important to understand that our role as a manufacturer is distinct from the three-step certification process. We DO NOT get involved in the installation, inspections, or final paperwork for certification. Our involvement is focused on product quality and performance.

• Our Responsibility: We ensure that our metal roof panels, and other products have been rigorously tested by a certified testing facility and meet the strict wind uplift pressure requirements of the FORTIFIED program. We work closely with our engineers and evaluators to ensure our materials meet the highest standards.
• Your Responsibility: When a distributor selling our materials requests FORTIFIED-compliant panels, we ask for the specific uplift requirements to provide the correct products. However, it is 100% the contractor’s responsibility to provide and confirm these requirements before installation and to ensure the products are installed correctly to meet the program’s standards. D7 Metals LLC and its distributors have no liability, responsibility, or direct role in the FORTIFIED certification process.
• How We Support You: By providing materials that are pre-tested and certified to meet these stringent requirements, we give distributors and contractors the confidence to build a durable, resilient FORTIFIED roof.