Whenever we talk about green roof systems, we get different reactions, depending on
the audience. To some, green means vegetated—roofs with plant systems incorporated
into them. To others, green means, generally, contributing to energy conservation and
environmental stewardship. Whatever the definition, we tend to think of "green" as pertaining
to new technologies.
And yet, there is a lot that can be done to support the green movement using well-established
technologies. For starters, designers can be sure the roof systems they create have
the appropriate amount of insulation. Roof surfaces, in many cases, can and should be
reflective. Many roof systems are recyclable; others, even if lacking in reflectivity,
can be expected to perform for long time periods—often 25 years or longer.
Two well-established roof systems are the subject of the newest volume of The NRCA Roofing
Manual: spray polyurethane foam and metal. Both have inherent green properties and extended
life expectancies, and both can offer great advantages in the right situations.
NRCA members who have paid their 2008 dues and new members who join NRCA in 2008 will
receive this newest, hardbound volume free of charge. Others can order it online at
shop.nrca.net or by calling our customer
service center at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722).
SpecRight Program training session to be held during NRCA's 121st Annual Convention
NRCA will offer its SpecRight
Program training session Feb. 20, 2008, in Las Vegas. This program coincides
with
NRCA's 121st Annual Convention, which will be held Feb. 19-23, 2008, at the
Las Vegas Convention Center. Participants will learn how to use NRCA's EnergyWise Roof Calculator Online to demonstrate to building
owners how energy costs can be reduced through insulation. Additional topics include
cool roofs and the latest trends in energy codes. Participants will earn 0.75 CEU
upon completion of this one-day session. Click here for more information and to register.
(Web Link) Return to Headlines
New ISO standard encourages sustainability
The International Organization of Standards (ISO) has issued ISO 21930:2007, "Sustainability
in building construction—Environmental declaration of building products,"
which is designed to ensure building construction materials are environmentally
friendly.
The standard describes principles for building products' environmental declarations
and aims to help construction industry professionals gain information addressing
the environmental effects of buildings and other construction.
The goal of environmental declarations in the construction industry is to provide
accurate information about building products' environmental implications and increase
demand for building products that cause less stress on the environment.
The University of Central Florida's Stormwater Management Academy lab enables researchers
to study simulated green roofs
A new lab at the University of Central Florida (UCF) features a rainfall simulator
that enables researchers to conduct green-roof experiments. The UCF Stormwater Management
Academy lab includes 16 chambers where researchers can test different types of plants
and other green-roof materials. The lab houses a rainfall simulator composed of
pipes in an 8-foot-wide by 30-foot-long configuration connected to a 1,500-gallon
water tank. Researchers can study how water falls on a variety of surfaces, runs
off and dislodges particles that can clog drains and pollute surface and ground
waters. The lab also allows for experiments on various types of pervious materials,
including recycled rubber and paver blocks, to test which are strong enough to handle
truck traffic but still allow water to seep through instead of becoming runoff.
The UCF Stormwater Management Academy has received $14 million in research grants
during the last five years. Its primary sponsors are the Florida Department of Transportation
and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The lab also features the
university's second green roof. The first was installed in 2004 on the expansion
of the student union. To view a video about UCF's Stormwater Management Academy,
click here. Return to Headlines
Marquette University officials hope new buildings will be LEED certified
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., is planning to construct new law, engineering
and administrative buildings and is evaluating whether they will qualify for Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED, developed by the
U.S. Green Building Council, is a nationally accepted standard for the design, construction
and operation of high-performance green buildings.
The engineering building will have a solar-panel system, and the university is considering
other renewable energy possibilities, as well. Although Marquette recently received
an average rating for its commitment to green buildings from the Sustainable Endowments
Institute, the university was given credit for its energy-efficient designs for
new buildings and an irrigation system that uses rain runoff from a campus building
to water a garden.
Return to Headlines
NRCA Bookstore is offering 25 percent off worker-training products
This month, NRCA Bookstore offers 25 percent off all worker-training products. Customers
who place online orders of $200 or more by Jan. 31 will receive free shipping, and
all orders qualify for a 30-day, risk-free guarantee and a $20 coupon for a future
order.
(Web Link) Return to Headlines
INDUSTRY NEWS
"Green HQ in Works Downtown"
Indianapolis Business Journal (01/12/08) Schouten, Cory
The Nature Conservancy has agreed to purchase a blighted industrial property near
downtown Indianapolis to develop a new state headquarters. It is paying about $1
million for the 1-acre site and will spend as much as $3.5 million on either a new
building or renovations to the existing structure. Once completed, the $4.5 million
project will feature a green roof system and extensive landscaping. The conservancy
is aiming for the highest level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
status. Mary McConnell, the group's director for Indiana, remarks: "We're an international
conservation organization. If anyone should be walking the walk of sustainability,
it should be The Nature Conservancy. We'd like to set a standard to show this type
of construction is a great economic tool."
(Web Link - May Require Paid Subscription)
Return to Headlines
"Delta Dental 'Goes Green' With Expansion of Michigan Headquarters"
Business Wire (01/15/08)
Michigan-based Delta Dental is set to expand its Okemos headquarters with energy-efficient
practices and features. The expansion effort is on track for a spring 2008 start,
with the company seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
Design features will include a green roof system that will minimize stormwater runoff
and provide insulation, recycled building materials, and a stormwater management
system that will remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. The $85 million
project will include a 35,000-square-foot addition to its 160,000-square-foot main
headquarters building, along with the construction of a new office building north
of it. Delta Dental President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Fleszar remarks:
"Building green helps us to create a workplace that promotes health and productivity
and reduces our impact on the environment. This underscores our mission of improving
health and reaffirms our core value of being a good corporate citizen."
(Web
Link)
Return to Headlines
"WVU Going Green"
WPXI.com (01/12/08)
Millions of dollars are being poured into a variety of environmental projects at
West Virginia University (WVU). Chief among these initiatives is a $28.8 million
facelift at Brooks Hall, which has given the campus building a new green roof system.
A small plain of greenery now tops the building's roof, growing from layers of soil
enclosed in a waterproof membrane. WVU officials say the vegetation that grows there
will not only provide better insulation to reduce Brooks Hall's heating and cooling
costs but also extend the life of the building's roof by as much as 50 percent.
(Web
Link)
Return to Headlines
"GE Unit Growing 'Green'"
Connecticut Post (01/11/08) Lee, Richard
GE Energy Financial Services is teaming up with Silicon Valley-based SunPower Corp.,
a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar roof systems,
to provide financing for five California photovoltaic solar power projects. Among
the projects will be the largest single-roof power installation in the U.S. — the
solar roof system at the Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. building in Ontario, Calif.
The other projects range from a 1-megawatt solar roof system at a Hewlett-Packard
printing technology research and development center in San Diego to a solar tracking
system atop an Agilent Technologies parking canopy in Santa Rosa. The General Electric
unit will finance the projects, which SunPower Corp. will design, build and manage.
Kevin Walsh, managing director at GE Energy Financial Services, comments: "This
transaction diversifies our renewable energy portfolio with more solar assets and
supports Ecomagination, GE's program to help its customers meet their environmental
challenges while expanding its own portfolio of cleaner energy products."
(Web Link)
Return to Headlines
"City Is Cultivating a Greener Future"
Washington Post (01/10/08) P. DZ3; Minnema, Lindsay
The District of Columbia is taking a number of measures to protect the Anacostia
River, the most recent being the installation of two green roof systems on city
government office buildings at One Judiciary Square and the Reeves Center. Criston
Mize, a designer at the nonprofit company that installed the two green roof systems,
states: "A green roof is a series of layers that allow for plant life to grow directly
on the roof." It begins with a waterproofing membrane that is standard on most regular
roof systems. On top are several inches of soil and plants that help to capture
and absorb rainwater, preventing the precipitation from carrying pollution into
nearby bodies of water. In between are other layers to safeguard the roof system
from the plants' roots. Two years ago, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities found Washington,
D.C., to be second only to Chicago in terms of green roof square footage, reporting
more than 300,000 square feet at the time. This tally has continued to grow. Local
green infrastructure consultant Barbara Deutsch remarks: "Historically, architects
have designed buildings to get the water off of the roofs. But now, we're trying
to figure out ways to store water on the roof to sustain the plants we have up there"
and to keep the water from draining into the sewer.
(Web Link)
Return to Headlines
"New Middle School Opens with Garden Roof Classroom from American
Hydrotech"
Business Wire (01/10/08)
In Chicago, the Latin School is among a growing number of schools nationwide that
have incorporated green roof systems into their building designs. The Latin School's
new middle school building boasts a 5,500-square-foot green roof system that combines
lightweight green roof technology with a high-performance waterproof membrane. The
green roof system is accessible to students and faculty as a learning environment.
Deb Sampey, middle school director, notes: "The plantings will be fully established
in about a year, and I'm excited to see what the classes can fully do with it."
Plants on the roof will work to keep the building's temperature down, save on heating
and cooling costs, extend the useful life of the roof, reduce stormwater runoff
and diminish the urban heat island effect.
(Web
Link)
Return to Headlines
"Reduce Costs by Using Low Impact Development Practices"
EPA News Release (01/08/08)
The new "Reducing Stormwater Costs Through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies
and Practices" report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reveals the results
of 17 case studies across North America, showing that for the most part LID construction
practices can lead to lower project costs when compared to traditional stormwater
management practices. The goal of LID practices is to duplicate the way water moved
through an area before construction began through use of methods that infiltrate,
evapotranspirate, and reuse runoff close to the source. Common LID practices include
permeable pavements, green roofs, rain gardens, grassed swales, cisterns and rain
barrels. The study found that total capital savings ranged from 15 percent to 80
percent.
(Web Link)
Return to Headlines
"Green Projects on Rise Across Country"
Phoenix Business Journal (12/31/07)
A new American Institute of Architects (AIA) study shows that the number of U.S.
cities with green building programs has skyrocketed 418 percent since 2003. A total
of 92 cities with populations greater than 50,000 have established green building
programs, an increase from 22 cities in 2003. Among the most effective has been
Chicago's Green Roof Program, which offers $5,000 grants to help with the planning
and installation of green roof systems. AIA officials forecast that more than 130
of the 661 cities polled will have a green building program in place by the end
of 2008.
(Web
Link - May Require Free Registration)
Return to Headlines
"A Carpet of Green: U-M Business School's Eco-Friendly Expansion
to Include Green Roof Topped With Hardy Sedum"
Ann Arbor News (MI) (12/31/07)
A University of Michigan business school is integrating ecologically friendly materials
into its new roof. Along with the steel and glass materials being added to the new
building for the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, the rooftop will feature a
layer of sedum in the plant material for the green roof system the school is adding.
The vegetative roof is part of the $145 million expansion of the business school
facility, which will help the university save money on energy bills and lower its
effects on the environment. Overseeing the green roof installment is Randy Brown,
contract grower for Xero Flor America. Brown says the green roof will help keep
costs down because of the insulation it provides in the summer and winter months,
plus its underlying material lasts longer than traditional rooftop materials and
it will spare the school the hassle of building a retention tank for stormwater.
(Web Link - Publication Homepage:
Link to Full Text Unavailable)
Return to Headlines
"DMR Architects Designs New Age Restricted Residential Complex"
Multi-Housing News (12/07) Marin, Matthew
In December 2007, DMR Architects completed the design of an environmentally friendly,
residential age-restricted complex in South Amboy, N.J. Dubbed Robert Noble Manor,
the mid-rise complex will boast 40 one-bedroom units along with parking. The building
will make use of such energy-efficient amenities as solar roof panels and Energy
Star-rated lighting and appliances. DMR Architects President Lloyd Rosenberg states:
"DMR is excited to be able to incorporate a green and sustainable design for the
complex. We are passionate about providing our green services to such a wonderful
community like South Amboy's Robert Noble Manor." Construction is now on track for
completion by the beginning of this year's fourth quarter.
(Web Link)
Return to Headlines
"Building Toward a Greener Future"
Staten Island Advance (12/23/07) O'Shea, Karen
In New York, the Staten Island Mental Health Society (SIMHS) will soon begin converting
an office building in St. George into its new green headquarters. SIMHS officials
hope the more energy-efficient building will better help the children they serve
via a mental health clinic and various treatment and prevention programs. The new
facility will incorporate solar roof panels, awnings and a solar wall, along with
a geothermal heating and cooling system. SIMHS President and Chief Executive Officer
Kenneth Popler states: "We hope that there will be many other organizations and
businesses that will be inspired to go down this path." A few are already following
suit. The New York City Police Department and the College of Staten Island, for
example, have registered to build a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED)-certified precinct house and college dorms. Meanwhile, the new Staten Island
Museum and the Salvation Army Kroc Center planned for Bayley Seton Hospital's Clifton
campus are also seeking LEED certification.
(Web Link)
Return to Headlines
"10 Santa Rosa Schools Could Get Solar Power by Fall"
San Francisco Chronicle (12/17/07)
In California, Santa Rosa's school board has inked a $23 million deal with Solar
Power Integrators to have 10 local schools running on solar energy by this fall.
Under terms of the deal, the Roseville, Calif.-based company would arrange for private
investors to put up the money in exchange for tax credits and other write-offs for
the solar roof systems. The school district would then purchase the electricity
at a pre-arranged price, thus lowering its utility costs. Furthermore, the deal
enables the schools to take advantage of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Million Solar
Roofs Program, a $2 billion tax incentive program.
(Web Link)
Return to Headlines
"Solar Panels to Be Installed at Bells Bend Nature Center"
Tennessean (12/17/07) Cass, Michael
In December 2007, workers installed solar rooftop panels at Nashville's Bells Bend
Park Nature Center, making it Music City's first building to generate its own energy
and sell it back to the Tennessee Valley Authority. Each of the Nashville metro
area's three new nature centers has been designed to save energy and protect the
environment. Bells Bend will have the photovoltaic solar roof panels; Shelby Bottoms
has a green roof system; and Beaman Park will produce geothermal energy from the
earth that can be accessed by drilling water or steam wells.
(Web Link - Publication Homepage: Link to Full Text Unavailable)
Return to Headlines
"Blue Cross Gets Decked Out in Green"
Waste News (12/10/07) P. 9; Duggan, Daniel
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan facility in Detroit now has an environmentally
friendly parking deck. The structure has the city's sole vegetative roof system,
as well as a fitness center within the parking structure and a rooftop walking track.
In addition, it has a 55,000-gallon stormwater containment system beneath it. All
of these features enabled the deck to be certified in November 2007 by the U.S.
Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design initiative.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield effort is part of a restructuring of the insurance carrier's
Detroit campus. In addition, the project provides a climate-operated walkway linking
the facility to the structure and a rooftop walking track that is one-tenth of a
mile and was produced from recycled substances.
(Web Link - May Require Free Registration)
Return to Headlines
SpecRight News is an executive summary of
noteworthy articles of importance to roofing contractors, architects, designers,
facility managers, building owners and others who care about conserving energy and
protecting the environment.
About the SpecRight Program:
In recent years, the roofing industry has learned a quality roof can perform a number
of other important functions beyond providing protection from the elements. These
include:
Helping to conserve energy
Protecting the environment by reflecting solar energy, through vegetative cooling
or both and contributing to a reduction in ambient temperatures in urban environments
Playing a role in the control and treatment of stormwater runoff, especially with
the development of vegetated, or "green," roofs
Contributing to the aesthetics of the building community with the advent of different
roofing materials and plant life that offer variety of colors
Providing possible tax incentives, depending on location
The SpecRight Program was conceived by NRCA as part of an effort to better inform
the building owner community about the important role quality roof systems play
in conserving energy and protecting the environment.
For more information about the SpecRight Program, contact:
Ambika Bailey
NRCA's Director of Communications
(800) 323-9545
National Roofing Contractors Association
10255 W. Higgins Road
Suite 600
Rosemont, IL 60018-5607
