Why Roof Protection Matters for Schools and Hospitals
In education and healthcare, a building is more than just four walls and a roof. It protects students in classrooms, patients in critical care, medical equipment worth millions, and the people who keep these facilities running. When a hailstorm strikes, a damaged roof can do more than interrupt the day. It can shut down an entire campus or jeopardize patient safety.
Imagine a university forced to close dorms because of leaks after a storm, leaving students scrambling for housing. Picture a hospital managing water infiltration above sterile rooms or operating suites. These scenarios are not just inconvenient. They can disrupt essential services, create liability concerns, and put human lives at risk.
This is why roof standards matter. For critical facilities, reliability is not optional.
Why Critical Facilities Need VSH Roofing
Very Severe Hail roofing systems are designed to withstand the most destructive hail events recorded in the United States. These systems are tested and certified by FM Approvals and specified in FM Global’s hail design guidelines. FM Global, an engineering and insurance organization that has studied structural failure for nearly 200 years. Their research shows that standard commercial roofs are not sufficient for hospitals, laboratories, and large school campuses located in high-risk hail regions.
FM Global defines the Very Severe Hail region as areas where hail greater than 2 inches occurs over a 15-year mean recurrence interval. The highest rating is VSH, or Very Severe Hail. These areas include large portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and surrounding regions where many public schools, universities, and medical systems operate.
For these facilities, a VSH roof is not just a recommendation. It is becoming an expectation for long term operational safety and insurance compliance.
The Science Behind VSH Requirements
To qualify as VSH rated, a roofing assembly must withstand extreme impact testing under ANSI FM 4470. During this testing, a two-inch ice ball is launched at high speed to simulate real hail impact. Multiple samples are tested, including brand new, weathered, and heat aged materials. The membrane, seams, and even the cover board underneath must remain intact.
This level of scrutiny matters for buildings where the consequences of failure are far greater than cost alone. A leak above a gym floor or administrative office is inconvenient. A leak into a neonatal intensive care unit, research lab, or student housing complex can be a crisis.
By requiring these rigorous standards, FM Global sets a performance expectation that protects the people inside, not just the structure above them.
What Is at Risk for Schools and Healthcare Systems
Hail damage can cause more than a repair bill. It can interrupt essential services and expose organizations to long term risk. Here is what can happen when a roof fails under extreme hail.
- Hospitals may be forced to shut down sensitive areas and divert patients
- Clinics can face contamination risk if water reaches sterile environments
- Universities may cancel classes, close buildings, or relocate students
- Research facilities can lose valuable equipment or irreplaceable data
- School districts may experience expensive emergency repairs and insurance disputes
These disruptions impact safety, reputation, budgets, and public trust. The cost of installing VSH roofing is almost always lower than the cost of recovering from failure.
How Coryell Roofing Helps Protect Critical Facilities
Coryell Roofing specializes in helping hospitals, universities, school districts, and government organizations improve resilience against very severe hail. Our approach focuses on long term performance, safety, and operational continuity.
- Roof Risk Assessments
We evaluate your current system and identify risks based on building type, location, and hail zone data. - System Design for Critical Environments
We design roofing assemblies that meet VSH criteria and take into account how your building is used and what it protects. - Documentation and Insurance Alignment
Our process helps facilitate compliance with FM Global expectations and risk management standards. - Ongoing Protection and Maintenance
We create maintenance plans that extend roof life, reduce emergency repairs, and protect mission critical operations.
Critical facilities deserve more than a basic roof. They deserve a system built to safeguard the people and services inside.
Start Protecting Your Facility Today
If your school, university, or healthcare building has not been evaluated for current VSH requirements, now is the time. Schedule a Roof Performance Assessment with Coryell Roofing. Together, we can help protect students, patients, operations, and the mission your facility serves every day.
Contact our team today to get started.
Coryell Roofing
Helping you protect what matters most—without the headache.
