Electronic Leak Detection for Roofing, Waterproofing and the Building Envelope

Title: Electronic Leak Detection for Roofing, Waterproofing and the Building Envelope

Topic Tags: Leak Detection

Knowledge Level: Beginner

Recommended Prerequisite Knowledge: Baseline understanding of roofing/waterproofing

Does the content of this presentation meet the criteria for AIA Health, Safety, and Welfare using the above guidelines: Yes

Why this meets above criteria: The failure to detect and correct membrane defects during and as soon as possible after its installation can cause premature failure of the membrane. Problems include design deficiencies, faulty application of the membrane system and damage by subsequent trades. Roof designs incorporating a waterproof membrane under overburden such as a vegetative roof, insulation layer, wear-course, or topping slab greatly exacerbate the problem of leak locating.

Presentation Topic Category Project Management

Learning Objectives

Objective 1: Recognize the differences between the four electronic testing methods for roofing and waterproofing membranes

Objective 2: Understand the capabilities and limitations of electronic leak detection (ELD) as outlined in ASTM Guide D7877 & ASTM Practice D8231

Objective 3: Identify potential future design and construction failures based on analyzed data from real time construction monitoring

Objective 4: Distinguish different applications for fully monitored embedded leak detection systems and how they function

Abstract Topic Descripion

This abstract presents the ASTM Standard Guide D7877 and ASTM Standard Practice D3281 which addresses the need for a systematic procedure to test, verify and monitor the integrity of waterproof membranes using electronic conductance measurement methods to locate leaks in exposed or covered waterproof membranes. The methods described are used in new construction as well as active leak locating on both conventional and inverted protected roofs and are particularly useful for roof designs that incorporate a waterproofing membrane under a green roof, wear-course, or topping slab where direct inspection of the roof membrane is difficult or impossible.

Content Outline