The PMMA Revolution November 05, 2016 Introduction Almost 175 years ago, the low-slope roofing membrane industry began with the use of a field-applied liquid component and a reinforcing fabric. Built-up roofs using coal tar or bitumen were the standard for well over a century; however, in the last 50 years, factory-produced membranes grew in popularity and also secured a place as […] Read More
Roof Decks A to Z: Part IX: Oriented Strand Board (OSB) October 05, 2016 3 4 • I N T E R F A C E OC T O B E R 2 0 1 6 Aconsiderable wealth of information is available from multiple sources on oriented strand board (OSB), so this is not intended as an exhaustive review of all things OSB. There is no lengthy discussion here […] Read More
Roofing Underlayment Materials and Manufacturing October 05, 2016 Roof consultants should know their materials inside and out. To fully understand underlayment, one must have a basic understanding of raw materials and manufacturing. Subtle variations at the molecular level have large effects on the properties of materials; furthermore, variations on the macroscopic scale also affect performance. Ideally, the manufacturer of the roofing underlayment is […] Read More
Using Rubber Extrusion to Drive Quality in EPDM Manufacture October 05, 2016 Since it was first introduced to the industry in the late 1970s, roof consultants have come to recognize the advantages of EPDM single-ply membrane for low-slope commercial roofs. The technical term for this highly durable and weather-resistant material is “ethylene propylene diene monomer.” However, it is typically known by its acronym: EPDM. Johns Manville (JM) […] Read More
PVC Membranes: Traditional Formula or New Innovation October 05, 2016 Since their entrance into the commercial roofing market in the 1960s, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes have experienced tremendous growth and acceptance, along with many beneficial changes, both in formulation and in manufacturing processes. Are these changes positive? Which type of PVC is better to use: one that is comprised of traditional formulations and manufacturing methods, […] Read More
Top 10 Questions and Answers on Wind Performance on Modular Vegetated Roof Assemblies for Better Understanding of CAN/CSA A123.24 September 05, 2016 The National Research Council of Canada (NRCC), in collaboration with members of the Canadian roofing industry and vegetated system manufacturers, developed CAN/ CSA A123.24, Standard Test Method for Wind Resistance of Modular Vegetated Roof Assembly, to evaluate the wind resistance of vegetated roof assemblies (VRAs). The existing literature (NRCA,1 ANSI/SPRI-RP14,2 ANSI/ GRHC/SPRI VR-1,3 FEMA P-757,4 […] Read More
Lessons from Wind Damage Reports September 05, 2016 Technical investigation reports on wind damage to roofi ng and cladding can provide a wealth of useful information relevant to designers, researchers, manufacturers, contractors, and building owners. It is common to fi nd multiple failures within roof systems, and often the challenge is to identify which link in the assembly broke fi rst. Forensic investigations […] Read More
RICOWI as a Collaborative Think Tank on Roofing September 05, 2016 Few organizations provide the broad-range, collaborative “think tank” of expertise for roofing assemblies as the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI). With a membership base comprised of academia, manufacturing, contracting, insurance, testing, and design individuals, RICOWI provides a powerful forum for discussions within the roofing community. The long-term performance of building construction in catastrophic […] Read More
Widespread Misappropriation of the “Brittle Test” for Asphalt Shingles September 05, 2016 More than a few times, the issue of a “brittle test” has come across my desk. Misuse is becoming more prevalent for both the term and the test as the concept gains momentum among folks hoping to discount the reparability of a shingle roof. A casual web search will validate the gross confusion surrounding this […] Read More
Changes to FM Global Data Sheets Related to Wind and Roofing September 05, 2016 This article summarizes revisions that have either recently been made or are in the process of being made to FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets (data sheets) related to wind or roofing. As is the case with all data sheets, significant changes are listed in Section 1.0 of each document. Data sheets are available […] Read More
