FOAMGLAS® + SOPREMA FM APPROVAL

The FOAMGLAS® + SOPREMA roof assembly has been independently tested and certified by FM Approvals to meet stringent loss‑prevention criteria for fire, wind uplift, severe hail, water leakage, and foot traffic. This approval provides specifiers, investors, and insurers with verified confidence for mission‑critical facilities.

FM Approvals Certificate

FM Approvals Flyer

Approvals FAQs

FM Approvals is an independent, third‑party certification focused on loss prevention. It verifies that building products and complete assemblies perform reliably under real‑world hazard scenarios that can cause severe property damage or business interruption.

For industrial and mission‑critical buildings, FM Approvals is increasingly:

A mandatory insurance requirement
A specifier preference for risk‑averse projects
A benchmark for international consistency

Reduced fire and weather‑related risk

Proven performance under extreme conditions

Confidence for insurers, owners, and investors

Acceptance on global industrial projects

What This Means for Specifiers

Confidence for Architects, Engineers & Consultants
Simplifies specification for industrial projects
Supports compliance on FM Global‑insured projects
Reduces technical risk at design stage
Backed by documented test performance
Clear guidance available for installation and detailing

Aspect	FM Global (Factory Mutual)	FM Approvals
Role	Global provider of commercial property insurance focused on loss prevention	Independent testing and certification body of FM Global
Primary Purpose	Reduce the risk of property damage and business interruption for insured facilities	Verify that products and systems meet strict loss‑prevention performance criteria
Focus Areas	High‑value, high‑risk facilities such as data centers, pharmaceutical manufacturing, airports, logistics hubs, and similar mission‑critical buildings	Roofing products and complete assemblies tested under real‑world hazard conditions
How It Operates	Defines risk‑mitigation expectations and engineering standards for insured projects	Conducts laboratory and field testing against defined FM Approvals standards
Key Activities	• Publishes engineering guidelines • Sets insurance requirements • Requires or strongly recommends FM Approved systems	• Tests complete assemblies (not just components) • Simulates fire, wind uplift, hail, and water exposure • Certifies only exactly tested configurations
Recognition of Systems	Recognizes and accepts only roof assemblies that are FM Approved	Lists approved roof assemblies in FM RoofNav, the official verification platform
Impact on Projects	FM Approved roof assemblies are often mandatory for FM Global‑insured facilities	Ensures technical compliance and eligibility for FM Global insurance recognition
Substitution Policy	Substitutions not accepted unless FM Approved as a roof assembly	Approval is always assembly‑specific; product substitution is not automatic

Roof Build-up

Images: Build-up drawing and 3D

Structural concrete deck
Asphaltic concrete primer
FM Approved vapor retarder
FOAMGLAS® insulation (hot‑asphalt adhered)
SOPREMA base ply (torch‑applied)
SOPREMA cap ply (torch‑applied)

Important note
To maintain FM approval:

FM Approved product ≠ FM Approved project/assembly
Installation must follow the FM‑approved assembly
Deviations or substitutions invalidate the approval
Always verify details in FM RoofNav

1. Structural concrete 2. Concrete primer 3. FM approved vapor retarder 4. FOAMGLAS® T4+ slabs fully adhered and top coat with hot bitumen 5. Soprarock Global SBS 30 TF, torch applied 6. Sopralene Global C3 48 GF, torch applied

FM Approval - Soprema 3D Mock-up

The FM Approved FOAMGLAS® + SOPREMA Roof Assembly
Approval scope
The FM Approvals applies to a roof assembly on structural concrete (see higher), combining:

FOAMGLAS® insulation: T3+, T4+, S3, F, and FOAMGLAS® Torch-on (with facing for heat applied membranes)
SOPREMA waterproofing membranes
Installed exactly as defined in the FM‑approved build‑up

Assembly performance classification

Fire performance: Class A (ASTM E108 / UL 790)
Roof slope: Up to 2/12
Hail resistance: Class 1‑SH (Severe Hail)
Wind uplift: 1‑480 (Zone 1 – field of roof)

Disclaimer: Owens Corning does not provide warranty against damage from hail or wind.

Important: FM Approvals does not replace UL or EN classifications. These systems coexist and serve different regulatory and insurance purposes.

FM Approvals is internationally recognized. Local building codes and regulations must always be reviewed to ensure full project compliance. FM Approvals is specific and valid only when installed exactly as tested and listed in the assembly.

The FM Approved FOAMGLAS® + SOPREMA roof assembly combines high‑performance waterproofing with cellular glass insulation engineered for long service life, risk reduction, and stable performance over time.

Key advantages

Proven longevity
FOAMGLAS® cellular glass retains its thermal and mechanical properties over decades without degradation, supporting long service life and reduced lifecycle costs. Independently tested samples show unchanged performance after more than 50 years in service, according to the FIW tests*.
Inherent fire protection
FOAMGLAS® is non‑combustible (Euroclass A1) and does not contribute to fire spread or produce toxic smoke. This intrinsic fire performance supports risk‑mitigation strategies in mission‑critical buildings.
100% vapour‑tight and impermeable
The closed‑cell glass structure makes FOAMGLAS® impermeable to water and water vapour, ensuring stable insulation performance and preventing moisture‑related damage throughout the roof’s lifetime.
Durable by design
The average recycled content for FOAMGLAS® products is 50%*. FOAMGLAS® contains no flame retardants, or propellants. Its declared 100 years service life* and recyclability support circular construction principles.

*https://www.foamglas.com/en/advice-center/general-advice/analysis-of-foamglas-samples-by-fiw
*Verified by SGS INTRON for Self-Declared Recycled Content according to ISO 14021:2016 (Certificate RC-026/1)
*EPD-PCE-20200300-IBB1-EN, published by IBU. Third party verification upon request.

What This Means for Investors & Building Owners

Risk Reduction for Long‑Term Asset Protection

Reduced exposure to fire, wind, and hail damage
Acceptance by insurers
Insurability of high‑value assets
Durable roof performance over the building lifecycle
Low likelihood of unplanned downtime and repairs

Airports

Fire protection, wind resistance, and durability for large public infrastructure.

Large Pharmaceutical Facilities

Non‑combustible, water‑tight systems suited for highly controlled environments.

Data Centers

Moisture control, fire protection, and resilience to protect critical IT infrastructure.

Paper Mills

Resistance to humidity, water ingress, and harsh industrial conditions.

All approved FOAMGLAS® + SOPREMA roof assemblies are listed in FM RoofNav, FM Approvals’ official online database. Please see Assembly ID and link below:

FM RoofNav Assembly ID: 583529-419229-0
Direct link: (https://www.fmapprovals.com/en/FM-Approved-Products/roofnav)

FM Approvals Certificate

FM Approvals Flyer

Approvals FAQs