FM Approvals’ Daniel Boardman Honored with ASTM’s Carl G. Cash Award

The recognition of significant technical contributions by the ASTM International Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing – a consensus-based body where industry professionals develop testing methods, specifications, and best practices – is always a proud moment for standards, testing, and certification stakeholders around the world.

Earlier this month, Daniel Boardman (FM Approvals, Vice President, Manager, Building Materials) was awarded the prestigious Carl G. Cash award – an honor recognizing outstanding, research-driven contributions to building envelope technology and waterproofing. Named in memory of roofing expert Carl G. Cash, who devoted his entire professional career to enhancing the performance of the building envelope, this award highlights innovation and technical expertise.

This journey, culminating in the Carl G. Cash award, dates back to 2015 when Boardman coauthored the “Developing a Test Method for a Very Severe Hail Rating for Low Slope Roof Assemblies” chapter of ASTM International’s selected technical papers “Roofing Research and Standards Development: 8th Volume”. This paper highlighted the increase in hail-related roof damage, which prompted the development of a very severe hail (VSH) rating for low-slope roofing (using higher-energy ice ball impacts based on a modified ANSI/FM 4473 methodology). Given current climate conditions and the related dialogue, the technical paper’s subject has arguably gained significance beyond when it was originally published.

Following development, the VSH rating was first adopted into FM Approvals’ Examination Standard 4470 for Single-Ply, Polymer-Modified Bitumen Sheet, Built-Up Roof (BUR) and Liquid Applied Roof Assemblies for use in Class 1 and Noncombustible Roof Deck Construction in 2016. The first FM Approved VSH rated RoofNav assembly was listed in September of 2017. Today, there are 42,000+ FM Approved VSH rated assemblies listed in RoofNav. The rating has also been adopted into FM 4475 for Steep Slope Roof Covers, FM 4430 for Skylights, FM 4478 for Roof-Mounted Rigid Photovoltaic Module Systems, and FM 4480 for Ground-Mounted or Elevated Photovoltaic Module Systems, with further expansion into other FM Approvals’ Examination Standards envisioned.

FM’s natural hazard maps provide an overview of geographic exposure to natural disaster risks, including hail. The worldwide hazard hail map is a global risk assessment tool used by commercial property stakeholders to identify and quantify geographic exposure to hailstone size and kinetic impact energy.

Fig. 1 – FM’s Worldwide Hazard Hail Map identifies Very Severe Hail (VSH) regions, labeled in red.

Boardman’s achievement aligns closely with FM Approvals’ mission as an international leader in property loss prevention product testing and certification. Boardman, along with his FM Approvals colleagues around the world, continuously evaluate the loss prevention solutions of our customers, certify those that meet loss prevention standards backed by scientific research, and support the overall advancement of loss prevention practices.

FM Approvals’ ongoing efforts to expand the diversity and availability of FM Approved products that help safeguard the integrity and performance of building envelopes against environmental stresses fosters long-term resilience. Locally available FM Approved products enable consistent, reliable loss prevention worldwide by ensuring proven solutions are accessible where and when they’re needed to protect assets and maintain operational continuity.

As an ASTM Committee D08 member, Boardman’s expertise and dedication strengthen the group’s work and help drive meaningful progress across the industry. By focusing on research, collaboration, and technical excellence, leaders like Daniel Boardman play a critical role within FM Approvals. Boardman’s recognition underscores the importance of continued innovation in building envelope practices which creates an environment that ensures structures are better prepared to withstand the threats of evolving risks.

Join FM Approvals in congratulating Daniel Boardman on this well-deserved honor that is representative of several FM Approvals initiatives that drive progress, advance loss prevention practices, and combat evolving risks to support a more resilient future.