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Abstract
A common objective of sustainable building discussions is to achieve a service life of sixty years. Some elements of the building have track records that already match that performance. But for many others, that have typically received only basic necessary maintenance, it is harder to appreciate their potential durability, if they have been managed for that objective. The typical roof system is truly “out of sight out of mind.” It receives service only when it leaks. At the same time it serves as a work platform for an increasing amount of equipment and building utility systems. Rather than managing for durability, it has historically been easier to provide emergency maintenance only as needed, until replacement was obviously required. EPDM roof systems have dominated the North American low slope roofing market for almost 30 years. Many of these roof systems are still providing useful service lives. Empirical experience has shown that well designed and installed EPDM roof systems can attain service lives of 25 years and more. While this paper will review design considerations to achieve long-term performance it will focus attention on the proactive management required to achieve an extended service life of 60 years or more. Examples of long-term performing EPDM roofs and how they were managed in an attempt to provide extended watertight protection will be reviewed. Specific EPDM roofs installed in the 1980’s will be presented along with their actual management program. Planned assessments and interventions for the coming years will be extrapolated from these histories to support functionality into the 2030’s.
A common objective of sustainable building discussions is to achieve a service life of sixty years. Some elements of the building have track records that already match that performance. But for many others, that have typically received only basic necessary maintenance, it is harder to appreciate their potential durability, if they have been managed for that objective. The typical roof system is truly “out of sight out of mind.” It receives service only when it leaks. At the same time it serves as a work platform for an increasing amount of equipment and building utility systems. Rather than managing for durability, it has historically been easier to provide emergency maintenance only as needed, until replacement was obviously required. EPDM roof systems have dominated the North American low slope roofing market for almost 30 years. Many of these roof systems are still providing useful service lives. Empirical experience has shown that well designed and installed EPDM roof systems can attain service lives of 25 years and more. While this paper will review design considerations to achieve long-term performance it will focus attention on the proactive management required to achieve an extended service life of 60 years or more. Examples of long-term performing EPDM roofs and how they were managed in an attempt to provide extended watertight protection will be reviewed. Specific EPDM roofs installed in the 1980’s will be presented along with their actual management program. Planned assessments and interventions for the coming years will be extrapolated from these histories to support functionality into the 2030’s.
Date
6/2010
6/2010
Author(s)
Tom Hutchinson
Tom Hutchinson
Page(s)
9-18
9-18
Keyword(s)
EPDM; service life; ICBEST
EPDM; service life; ICBEST