FM Approved: Why Next Level Decking’s New Roof Deck Certifications Matter for Your Next Build
In our recent breakdown of commercial roofing costs, we highlighted a shift happening across the industrial and commercial construction market: metal roof deck systems have achieved true cost parity with hybrid wood roofs, while delivering superior long-term performance.
As developers and general contractors increasingly choose steel deck over wood for its strength, speed, and durability, the requirement for third-party quality verification has never been higher.
We are proud to announce that Next Level Decking’s flagship roof deck profiles—RDN3-32 and RDB-36—are now officially FM Approved.
What FM Approval Actually Means
FM Approvals (the independent testing arm of FM Global) sets the world’s most stringent performance standards for commercial property loss prevention.
When a component earns FM Approval, it means it has undergone rigorous, real-world testing to withstand extreme environmental hazards. For structural steel roof decks, FM evaluation criteria include:
Wind Uplift Resistance: Verifying that deck panels, side-laps, and mechanical fasteners withstand extreme storm winds and negative pressure forces.
Combustibility & Fire Safety: Testing fire performance and heat transfer from below the roof plane.
Live Load Deflection & Bending Stress: Ensuring structural integrity under heavy service loads, mechanical equipment, and foot traffic.
Fastener Pull-Out & Pull-Over Capacity: Evaluating connection strength where the decking secures to structural steel framing.
For developers, asset managers, and insurance carriers, specifying FM Approved materials isn’t just about compliance—it directly mitigates risk, protects building equity, and frequently lowers commercial property insurance premiums.
Ready for Your Next Build?
· Visit our Resources & Technical Data Page.
· Contact Engineering: Reach out directly to our engineering team at kelsey@nldecking.com for design support or custom load calculations.
Get a Quote: Contact us today at info@nldecking.com to run the numbers on your upcoming project!
Disclaimer: This information is provided as general guidance only and is subject to review, verification, and approval by the Designer of Record. All final design and installation decisions remain the responsibility of the Engineer of Record in accordance with applicable codes, FM Approvals assembly guidelines, and project requirements.
