Roofing testing guide
How to Pull Test Roofing Fasteners and Deck Screws
By the Force-Test team, St. Petersburg, FL · Last reviewed October 2026
To pull test roofing fasteners under ANSI/SPRI FX-1, remove the roofing down to the deck, install a test fastener exactly as it will be installed on the job, then pull it straight out perpendicular to the deck at about 2 inches per minute with a calibrated pull tester and record the peak force in lbf. Run at least 10 pulls for the first 50,000 sq ft of roof, plus 5 for each additional 50,000 sq ft, with half of them in corners and perimeters.
What you need
- A pull tester with a hydraulic or electronic gauge reading in lbf, accurate to ±5% of the reading, with a dated calibration certificate no older than 12 months. Our digital pull tester or analog pull tester both work.
- A fixture that grabs the fastener. The RS-2K screw fixture comes with our testers.
- A core cutter or knife to open the roof down to the deck.
- The same fasteners, drill bits and tools that will be used on the job.
- Pull test report forms (FX-1 Forms A and B) and a roof plan sketch.
Step-by-step: the FX-1 fastener pull test
Step 1: Plan the test locations
Mark pull locations across corners, perimeters and the field; at least half must be in corners and perimeters. Treat each roof section with a different elevation, deck type or assembly as its own test area.
Step 2: Open the roof to the deck
Remove the membrane and insulation above the deck at each location. A core cutter is the cleanest way to do this.
Step 3: Install the test fastener
Install it with the same tool, pre-drill size and embedment or protrusion that will be used in production. Install it the way the crew will, not better.
Step 4: Attach the fixture and tester
Thread or hook the fixture onto the fastener, set the tester over it so the pull is perpendicular to the deck, and take up the slack.
Step 5: Zero the gauge
Reset the gauge to zero (and clear the peak) before every pull.
Step 6: Pull at 2 in/min
Turn the handle steadily so the fastener withdraws at 2.0 ± 1.0 in per minute until it pulls out or the load drops off.
Step 7: Record the peak
Write the peak lbf on Form B with the test number, and mark the location on the roof plan.
Step 8: Repeat and check the spread
Complete the minimum number of pulls. If results vary widely (coefficient of variation over 20%) or the deck looks damaged or wet, add pulls and note why.
Step 9: Repair and report
Have a roofing professional repair each test spot. Hand the completed forms to the designer or owner’s representative, who sets the design value.
Getting the 2 in/min pull rate on a hand-crank tester
On testers that pull with a threaded rod, time each full turn of the handle. FX-1 gives this formula:
seconds per turn = 60 ÷ (threads per inch × inches per minute)
For example, a lead screw with 10 threads per inch at 2 in/min works out to 3 seconds per turn. Call 727-421-3093 for the figure for your Force-Test tester.
How many pull tests you need
| Roof area (per test area) | Minimum pulls | In corners and perimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50,000 sq ft | 10 | 5 |
| 50,001 to 100,000 sq ft | 15 | 8 |
| 100,001 to 150,000 sq ft | 20 | 10 |
| 150,001 to 200,000 sq ft | 25 | 13 |
FX-1 requirements at a glance
| Item | ANSI/SPRI FX-1 requirement |
|---|---|
| Gauge | Hydraulic or electronic, reads lbf (or kN) |
| Accuracy | ±5% of reading; readings within the gauge’s working range |
| Calibration | Every 12 months, dated certificate, traceable to a national standard |
| Pull direction | Perpendicular to the deck |
| Pull rate | 2.0 ± 1.0 in/min (50 ± 25 mm/min) |
| Cold weather | Avoid testing water-sensitive decks (gypsum, cementitious wood fiber, lightweight concrete) at 32°F or below |
| People | Trained tester, owner’s representative witnessing, roofer to repair |
Which fixture for which fastener
| Application | Fixture | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Deck screws and most roofing screws | RS-2K screw fixture (included) | $65 |
| Lightweight concrete fasteners | LW-3C or HK-3C hook | $65 |
| FM-90 fabric fasteners | FT-90 with LB-3C lift bar | $85 + $65 |
| FM-290 fabric fasteners | FT-290 with LB-3C lift bar | $85 + $65 |
| Uplift resistance testing | ULRF2424 24 in × 24 in fixture | $895 |
| Com-Ten fixtures | CTA-500 adapter | $45 |
Digital Pull Tester for Roofing Fasteners
$1,750, 1,000 or 2,000 lb, with RS-2K fixture, case and calibration certificate. Questions? Call 727-421-3093.
Frequently asked questions
ANSI/SPRI FX-1, Standard Field Test Procedure for Determining the Withdrawal Resistance of Roofing Fasteners. It covers equipment, pull rate, number of tests and reporting.
There is no single number. The roof system manufacturer or design professional compares your results with the wind uplift design to set the fastener pattern. Your job is to report accurate, representative values.
Avoid it on decks affected by free water, such as gypsum, cementitious wood fiber and lightweight concrete, when the deck is 32°F or colder. Frozen water can make pullout values look higher than they are.
Yes. Each test uses a fastener installed the way production fasteners will be: same tool, same pre-drill, same depth.
A person trained on the pull tester, a representative of the building owner to witness and verify values, and a roofer to repair the test spots.
Yes. Our digital pull tester pulls roofing fasteners with the RS-2K fixture and adhesion discs for ABAA tests. Add a 10-pack of ADH-4 discs ($75) for air barrier work.
- How to do an ABAA T0002 / ASTM D4541 adhesion pull test
- Analog vs digital pull tester: which one do you need?
- How often should a pull tester be calibrated?
This guide summarizes the published test methods for practical field use. It does not replace the standard itself; always follow the current edition and your project specification.