The Russo Report: Unheralded Victories
It’s easy for roofing contractors to forget the many trade associations, manufacturer’s groups and industry experts who are looking out for the roofing industry’s best interests seven days a week, 365 days a year.
It’s easy for roofing contractors to forget the many trade associations, manufacturer’s groups and industry experts who are looking out for the roofing industry’s best interests seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For example, there is currently a table in the International Building Code that specifies where stone-ballasted roofs can be installed. In some instances, this table is more restrictive than the requirements of the national consensus standard, ANSI/SPRI RP-4; in other cases, it is less restrictive. Either way, the code language can limit the use of proven gravel-topped roofing systems and hurt roofing contractors who rely on these systems.
This table was included in the code due to a concern for gravel blowing off roofs in windstorms. However, no data are available to indicate that roofs designed in accordance with RP-4 have exhibited this type of problem. In fact, ANSI/SPRI RP-4 already addresses this issue, and all roofing contractors and specifiers need to do is reference the document.
SPRI is currently working with an industry coalition consisting of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), and the Spray Polyurethane Foam Association (SPFA) to develop alternatives to the current code language. A code change containing the proposed language has been provided and was heard at the IBC Code Change Hearings in November 2009.
SPRI is also working with the California Energy Commission to allow ballasted roofing systems to be considered an approved alternate to cool roof systems where they are currently included as a prescriptive requirement.
The basis for this request is a study completed by SPRI after three years of aging studies at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This study concluded that due to the thermal mass of ballasted roof systems, they provide energy performance equivalent to highly reflective roof systems after two years of aging. The study report is available free on SPRI’s Web site, www.spri.org.
Another study is also being undertaken to evaluate the effect of various types of wood preservative treatments on metal fasteners and components used in commercial roofing applications. SPRI, the National Roofing Contractors Association and the RCI Foundation are providing significant funding for this project.
Much concern has been expressed that some of the new wood treatments will cause certain types of metal that come in contact with it to corrode, leading to failure of the metal component. A widespread problem here would be a disaster for many roofing contractors, building owners and roof manufacturers.
Since treated wood is commonly used as a nailer in commercial roofing applications, this study will determine the temperature/humidity conditions that exist at the nailer location in four different climate zones: the Northeast, the Northwest, the Southeast, and the Southwest. This information will help determine the corrosion potential of various types of wood treatments, since temperature and humidity trigger corrosion. The results of this study will be presented at the 2010 RCI Conference.
At the same time, industry organizations have successfully worked with the Florida Building Commission to continue to allow the use of ballasted roofing systems, which have been proven effective both from an installed cost standpoint and a performance standpoint in the state of Florida.
ARMA led this successful effort with support from SPRI and the SPFA.
As a result of these combined efforts, the use of ballasted and aggregate-surfaced roofs is still allowed in the state of Florida. Thanks to these efforts, roofing contractors, specifiers and consultants can continue to use a proven, cost-effective, ballasted roofing option.
It’s easy for roofing contractors to forget the many trade associations, manufacturer’s groups and industry experts who are looking out for the roofing industry’s best interests seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For example, there is currently a table in the International Building Code that specifies where stone-ballasted roofs can be installed. In some instances, this table is more restrictive than the requirements of the national consensus standard, ANSI/SPRI RP-4; in other cases, it is less restrictive. Either way, the code language can limit the use of proven gravel-topped roofing systems and hurt roofing contractors who rely on these systems.
This table was included in the code due to a concern for gravel blowing off roofs in windstorms. However, no data are available to indicate that roofs designed in accordance with RP-4 have exhibited this type of problem. In fact, ANSI/SPRI RP-4 already addresses this issue, and all roofing contractors and specifiers need to do is reference the document.
SPRI is currently working with an industry coalition consisting of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), and the Spray Polyurethane Foam Association (SPFA) to develop alternatives to the current code language. A code change containing the proposed language has been provided and was heard at the IBC Code Change Hearings in November 2009.
SPRI is also working with the California Energy Commission to allow ballasted roofing systems to be considered an approved alternate to cool roof systems where they are currently included as a prescriptive requirement.
The basis for this request is a study completed by SPRI after three years of aging studies at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This study concluded that due to the thermal mass of ballasted roof systems, they provide energy performance equivalent to highly reflective roof systems after two years of aging. The study report is available free on SPRI’s Web site, www.spri.org.
Another study is also being undertaken to evaluate the effect of various types of wood preservative treatments on metal fasteners and components used in commercial roofing applications. SPRI, the National Roofing Contractors Association and the RCI Foundation are providing significant funding for this project.
Much concern has been expressed that some of the new wood treatments will cause certain types of metal that come in contact with it to corrode, leading to failure of the metal component. A widespread problem here would be a disaster for many roofing contractors, building owners and roof manufacturers.
Since treated wood is commonly used as a nailer in commercial roofing applications, this study will determine the temperature/humidity conditions that exist at the nailer location in four different climate zones: the Northeast, the Northwest, the Southeast, and the Southwest. This information will help determine the corrosion potential of various types of wood treatments, since temperature and humidity trigger corrosion. The results of this study will be presented at the 2010 RCI Conference.
At the same time, industry organizations have successfully worked with the Florida Building Commission to continue to allow the use of ballasted roofing systems, which have been proven effective both from an installed cost standpoint and a performance standpoint in the state of Florida.
ARMA led this successful effort with support from SPRI and the SPFA.
As a result of these combined efforts, the use of ballasted and aggregate-surfaced roofs is still allowed in the state of Florida. Thanks to these efforts, roofing contractors, specifiers and consultants can continue to use a proven, cost-effective, ballasted roofing option.
