DESIGNING ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIVE LOW-SLOPE ROOF SYSTEMS TO EXCEED ANTICIPATED SERVICE LIFE

摘要

There is a genuine interest among enlightened building owners and roof system designers in adopting environmental objectives. In many countries a whole generation has grown up in a culture sympathetic and supportive to "green" issues, and many colleges and universities include environmental studies as part of their normal course work. The challenge facing the roofing industry is to translate this interest and good will into practical guidelines that will lead to improvements in the long-term performance of roof systems--within a given financial budget. Experience by this author has shown that designing low-slope roof systems to exceed anticipated service life is possible. Introducing environmental responsiveness too is possible. The purpose of this paper will be to review concepts, products, and roof system design for achieving lengthy service life while being environmentally responsive. Examples of projects which incorporate the tenets of sustainable roofing prepared by the CIBW-83/RILEM166RMS Committee will be reviewed.