RICOWI Spring Seminar highlights wildfire resilience, research and industry collaboration

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Industry leaders gather to explore wildfire risk, roofing performance and the future of resilient construction.

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) held its Spring 2026 Seminar in Sacramento, California. The conference brought together researchers, fire professionals, code officials and roofing industry leaders to explore the growing challenge of wildfire risk and the role roofing systems play in prevention and resilience. 

The general session marked several important organizational milestones for RICOWI. Members celebrated the year of leadership by Al Janni and the announcement that the organization’s President’s Chair position has been renamed the Dave Roodvoets Chair in recognition of Roodvoets’ long-standing contributions and leadership within the organization. 

Steve Wadding of Polyglass was voted onto the board as an affiliate representative. The board also welcomed Ross Haigler as the new representative from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). 

RICOWI leadership reaffirmed its commitment to expanding visibility and engagement across the roofing and construction industries. Through partnerships with media organizations such as RoofersCoffeeShop, the organization continues to broaden awareness of research initiatives and best practices that protect buildings from severe weather events.  

Another highlight of the meeting was a recap of the research investigation led by Storm Investigation Program leaders Eric Olson and Phil Mayfield at Texas A&M University. RICOWI research programs are central to its mission of understanding how weather events impact roofing systems and translating those findings into improved standards, codes and manufacturing and installation practices.  

The Spring Seminar focused heavily on wildfire resilience and the growing challenges facing communities in the wildland urban interface (WUI). As development continues to expand into fire-prone regions, the roofing industry plays a critical role in slowing fire spread and protecting structures.  

Dr. Murray Morrison of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) opened the session with an overview of research examining how natural hazards such as wind, hail and wildfire impact the built environment. As managing director of research at IBHS, Dr. Murray leads programs that use wind tunnel measurements, boundary layer testing and full-scale structural testing to understand how structures perform under extreme conditions. His work helps translate scientific research into building code improvements and product evaluation standards that enhance resilience across the construction industry.  

Dwayne Sloan of UL Solutions continued the discussion with a deeper look at roofing system performance under fire exposure. As technical director for the built environment at UL Solutions, Dwayne has spent more than 38 years focused on reaction-to-fire testing and evaluation of building materials. His presentation reviewed the history of UL’s fire testing for roofing systems and explained how modern testing standards are adapting to address emerging technologies such as rooftop photovoltaic systems and building integrated photovoltaics. Dwayne also discussed research being conducted by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute, including studies of firebrand exposure and lessons learned from recent wildfire events in Southern California.  

Christina Reed of the International Code Council (ICC) addressed the growing threat posed by wildfires in communities located in the wildland urban interface. Christina, who previously spent more than three decades in the fire service and served as a battalion chief and state fire marshal, discussed how the International Wildland Urban Interface Code is evolving to help communities mitigate wildfire risk. Her presentation highlighted the importance of resilient construction strategies and provided an overview of the roof design and construction provisions included in the 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code.  

Together, the presentations underscored the complex relationship between roofing systems, fire spread and community resilience. From firebrands landing on roof surfaces to vulnerabilities at edges, vents and rooftop equipment, roofing details can significantly influence whether a structure ignites during a wildfire event.  

RICOWI continues to play a critical role in bringing together experts from across disciplines to share knowledge, advance research and support solutions that protect buildings and communities. The organization is also looking ahead to its Fall 2026 meeting, which will take place at Oak Ridge National Laboratory on November 3-4, offering members the opportunity to explore advanced research facilities and emerging building science initiatives.  

As wildfire risk increases across many regions of North America, collaboration between researchers, manufacturers, contractors, fire professionals and code officials will remain essential. Through continued research, education and industry engagement, RICOWI is helping to improve roofing performance and promote the best practices that benefit both consumers and the broader construction industry.  

For those interested in advancing research and helping the industry understand the impacts of extreme weather, RICOWI encourages professionals across the roofing and building sectors to get involved. By becoming a member, individuals and organizations can support critical investigations, share expertise and help shape the future of resilient construction. To learn more and sign up, visit https://www.ricowi.com/.