As a property owner of a sorority chapter house, you likely keep a close eye on the building’s interior, exterior, and overall maintenance to ensure it remains safe and well-kept. However, there’s one critical area that might not get the same level of attention — the roof. Since it’s “out of sight,” it often becomes “out of mind.” Unless there’s visible interior leaking or a recent windstorm, roofs rarely make it onto a regular inspection or maintenance plan.
Why This Matters Now
If you’ve been keeping up with MJ Sorority’s newsletters over the past two years, you know the property insurance market is experiencing significant challenges. Insurance companies are grappling with rising property claims due to changing weather patterns, which has led to several adjustments, including:
- Increasing property rates and premiums
- Raising standard deductibles for all causes of loss
- Implementing higher deductibles for specific risks like wind, hail, and water damage
- Adding stricter coverage limitations for roof damage
- In some cases, withdrawing from certain markets entirely, such as homeowners insurance in Florida and California
Fortunately, the insurance company providing sorority property coverage has taken a more balanced approach to these market shifts. However, to maintain comprehensive coverage, proactive risk management — like roof maintenance — is key.
The Value of Annual Roof Inspections
We’ve consulted with roofing contractors, and the message is clear: regular roof inspections are essential. Here’s why:
- Early Problem Detection: Routine inspections catch small issues before they turn into major (and costly) problems, helping to prevent damage to the structure.
- Extended Roof Lifespan: Addressing minor repairs early helps prolong the life of your roof, protecting both the building and your financial investment.
- Budget Planning: Insurance companies are increasingly concerned about property owners not accounting for the lifespan of roofing materials. Proactive inspections help you plan and budget for the inevitable roof replacement, rather than being caught off guard.
Getting Started
Travelers Insurance offers a helpful resource to guide your roof inspection planning: How to Build a Commercial Roof Inspection Plan.
The frequency of roof inspections will depend on various factors, so we recommend consulting with a qualified roofing contractor to determine the best schedule for your chapter house. As insurers continue to scrutinize roof conditions, incorporating regular inspections into your property maintenance program is more important than ever.
By taking these proactive steps, you not only help protect your chapter house but also contribute to maintaining stable and comprehensive insurance coverage for the sorority community.
Join our partners at Krittenbrink Architecture for this Housing Forum on the Road webinar.
Check out the 2024 Winter Weather Bulletin for important winter weather risk management reminders.
Learn more about designing chapter houses with adaptability in mind in this webinar with our partners at Luminaut.
Our team at MJ Sorority is always looking for ways to help clients manage risk. We continually identify and vet business partners that we believe will add value to your chapter house and simplify its operations.
Since the beginning of time, the biggest risk to your property is water related incidents. In the Sorority Program, water related claims make up 56% of the total property claims. These claims range from water seepage, internal pipes bursting, equipment breaking down (water heaters, ice machines), to sprinkler leakage incidents. We also see water claims ranked in the top five most frequent and most severe incidents.
The one phenomenon that has changed recently is the change in the weather pattern, specifically the increase in freezing claims of regular piping, as well as the automatic sprinkler system. In the last three years alone, we have seen a substantial increase in frozen pipes claims.
What we have learned from many of these claims is that in many situations freeze incidents are preventable. Unlike so many other changes in the weather pattern, the weather reports generally forecast an impending freeze, giving property owners advance notice to make the necessary arrangements to eliminate or minimize a claim.
One of the strengths of MJ Sorority in our risk analysis is the ability to uncover emerging vendor solutions to help our clients in their property risk management. In this pursuit, we uncovered a great tool to help property owners stay ahead of any of their sprinkler pipes freezing.
We are excited to partner with Salamander to share their freeze detection technology, which will help prevent future claims at your chapter house. Your participation in this webinar is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of your chapter house.
Ensuring the safety and security of the chapter house is obviously a top priority. The chapter house is not just a residence; it is a home where members build lifelong bonds, create cherished memories, and engage in activities that shape their futures. Given its significance, implementing robust security measures is essential to protect both the physical space and the well-being of its residents. One of the most advanced and effective security solutions available today is biometric entry systems.
Enhancing Security with Biometric Entry Systems
Biometric entry systems utilize unique biological traits, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans, to grant access. Unlike traditional locks and keys or even electronic keycards, biometric systems offer several distinct advantages that make them particularly well-suited for sorority chapter houses.
- Improved Access Control: Biometric systems ensure that only authorized individuals can enter the chapter house. Unlike keys or keycards, which can be lost, stolen, or duplicated, biometric traits are unique to each person and cannot be easily replicated. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
- Enhanced Safety: The presence of a biometric entry system can deter potential intruders and enhance the overall safety of the chapter house. Knowing that the house is equipped with advanced security technology can provide peace of mind to members, their families, and alumnae.
- Convenience and Efficiency: Biometric systems streamline the process of entering the house. Members no longer need to worry about carrying or losing keys and keycards. Access is granted swiftly and efficiently, making it easier for members to come and go while ensuring that security is never compromised,
- Accurate Tracking and Monitoring: These systems provide precise records of entry and exit times for all members. This feature is particularly useful for monitoring the house during events or identifying who was present in case of any security incidents. It also helps in managing the house occupancy efficiently.
- Durability and Low Maintenance: Biometric entry systems are typically more durable and require less maintenance compared to traditional locks. They are designed to withstand frequent use and are less susceptible to wear and tear. This longevity ensures a more reliable security solution over time.
If your chapter house utilizes a biometric security system, it is prudent to provide annual written notice to all individuals whose biometric information identifiers are collected or stored and specify the purpose of the collection and length of time the information identifiers will be held, stored, and used. Written consent and release of this information should be included in an annual housing agreement. Read more about our suggestions for Housing Agreements here.
Investing in a biometric entry system for the sorority chapter house is a forward-thinking decision that prioritizes the safety and well-being of your members. By leveraging advanced technology, the chapter can provide a secure, convenient, and efficient environment that supports the flourishing of its community. In a world where security concerns are ever-present, adopting biometric entry systems reflects a commitment to excellence and proactive care for all members of the sorority.
Join our business partner and security expert, Johnson Controls, to learn more about smart security strategies for your chapter house. Watch recording.
As weather patterns continue to evolve, it is crucial for housing corporations to update their chapter house roofs to withstand the increasing intensity of wind and hail events. Convective storms in particular are a major cause for concern. Convective storms are extremely severe storms with defining characteristics of high winds, sudden temperature changes, and severe thunder and lightning.
In light of these more severe weather conditions across the country, carriers are isolating geographic areas at greater risk to weather perils and are requiring additional measures be taken to update roofs. It is imperative to consider retrofitting affected chapter house roofs to mitigate risk.
Also at issue are state building codes. Many states have not updated their building codes to prepare for more severe weather, leaving existing and new structures vulnerable to sever weather damage. Building codes set the minimum standards for construction, however these standards may not always align with insurance requirements, leaving sorority houses vulnerable to potential coverage gaps. Furthermore, in many states and municipalities, building codes are not adequately enforced.
It is crucial for chapter houses in areas with inferior building codes to exceed minimum building code specifications to meet insurance expectations. This reduces the risk of roof damage and associated expenses if a convective storm hits a property. Housing corporations should be particularly wary of properties in the west and mid-west, where predictive modeling has determined a sharp increase in the frequency and severity of wind and hailstorms. Fortunately, universities are rarely near coastal areas, so that minimizes some of the increased risk of severe hurricanes.
MJ Sorority has consulted extensively with industry experts to create a list of recommendations for your chapters as they consider updating or replacing their chapter house roofs. At a minimum, we recommend that all of your chapter houses do an intake on the age and condition of their roof, which many roofing companies will do free of charge!
When it comes to fortifying your existing roof or installing a new one, MJ Sorority recommends the following:
- Stronger Edges: strengthening the edges of your roof can help prevent wind uplift during storms, which can lead to roof edge failure. By reinforcing the edges with hurricane straps (not just for hurricanes!) or other secure attachments, the edges of a roof can withstand far greater wind speeds.
- Sealed Roof Deck: adding a layer of protection against water helps minimize the risk of leaks and water damage during heavy rainfall, snow, and hailstorms. Sealing your roof deck not only strengthens your roof but protects the attic and building more generally from potential water damage caused by storms.
- Better Attachment: improving attachment is the best defense for preventing wind and wind-driven debris from breaking your roof loose from the rest of the structure.
- Impact-Resistant Shingles: investing in stronger shingles provides an additional layer of defense against hail and wind-driven debris impact. Designed to withstand high velocity impacts, these shingles reduce the likelihood of damage and the frequency of repairs.
- Wind and Rain Resistant Attic Vents: upgrading attic vents maintains stable ventilation to the home’s interior, while simultaneously protecting against water and debris that may damage your roof and attic during a storm.
- Impact Protection for Windows and Doors: the use of impact resistant materials to reinforce windows and doors mitigates the risk of them breaking or coming lose, leaving your property vulnerable to water and debris. An additional benefit to impact protection is security, making it nearly impossible to break through a window, even when the top layers of glass have shattered.
Given the heightened risk of volatile weather, it is imperative that organizations do an intake and analysis of the health of chapter house roofs. Taking proactive measures to update and fortify roofs and bridging the gap between building codes and insurance requirements can mitigate the risk of roof damage and will maintain the safety and longevity of your properties. Prioritizing the fortification via the recommendations above will not only enhance the overall structural integrity of the properties in question but will also undoubtably contribute to the long-term sustainability of these important spaces for members.
Further Reading: