2012 has ushered in a new era of building code changes, with the enhancements focused primarily on higher levels of energy efficiency. Their impact on the construction industry as a whole and the roofing industry are quite significant. Perhaps the most noteworthy are those prescribed in the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which calls for buildings to achieve a 30% increase in energy efficiencies over the 2006 IECC. This sixth edition of the code illustrates the growing importance of ensuring that all buildings are achieving high levels of energy efficiency in congruence with model building codes such as the IBC (International Building Code.)
According to the International Code Council (ICC), this comprehensive set of changes includes measures to improve the building envelope, HVAC systems and electrical systems of residential buildings up to three stories in height. Commercial building enhancements include required energy efficiency for windows, doors, skylights and the building envelope; and increased efficiencies for installed HVAC equipment, among others.
The new International Green Construction Code (IgCC), is an overlay code set to be published in the Spring of 2012. The IgCC is the first green building code developed in the ICC code development process. The IgCC is designed to reduce the negative impacts of the built environment on the natural environment. It was created by a broad-based committee with experts in such areas as government, business, academia, code development/enforcement, engineering and environmental advocacy.
The IgCC will go beyond traditional life/safety model codes and simulate some voluntary program requirements for commercial buildings to provide both safe and sustainable buildings. Thus, it will be used to incorporate sustainable practices within existing building codes at the state and/or jurisdictional level.
Of interest to the roofing industry are a number of provisions in the energy code. The IECC calls for the increase of insulation for low-slope roofs with above-deck insulation. This is important as insulation plays an important role in reducing a building’s energy use. The code’s prescriptive R-value and U-value requirements for above deck insulation by climate zone are simple and straightforward. (R-value is the measure of thermal resistance used in the building; U-value is measure of the rate of non-solar heat loss or gain (flow) through a material or assembly.)
The 2012 IECC code language also details solar reflectance and thermal emittance requirements and options for low sloped roofs in southern climate zones in addition to the minimum thermal resistance (in both R-value and U-value) of the insulating material required in roof assemblies.
Also making news later this year is the anticipated release of LEED 2012, the next version of the LEED rating systems. The 2012 version is still in draft, but indications are it will favor a more holistic and life cycle approach for products installed in LEED certified buildings and assemblies; and will reward transparency for sustainable manufacturing, socially responsible raw materials sourcing, and use of products with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions.
While a detailed review of LEED 2012, IECC and IgCC are beyond the scope of this article, these new or revised codes and programs reveal the shift towards increased energy efficiency and environmental awareness not seen in previous versions of code. These objectives reinforce the overall importance of high-performance roofing systems as part of the building envelope. Now more than ever, a well-insulated and well protected roof is critical in new or renovated commercial buildings.
Beyond the pragmatic need to maximize energy efficiencies, code and program language is defining a roof’s emerging new role. Commercial roofs have become multi-use platforms that house a myriad of renewable energy systems and environmental features, such as photovoltaic (PV) and vegetative roofs.
These emerging assemblies, while enhancing the environmental and energy performance of a building, have added considerably to the foot traffic of the modern commercial roof. By definition, the very function of a roof is to protect the building and its contents. When additional equipment, PV panels or vegetation are installed and need to be maintained, it means more frequent foot traffic overall. These types of roof assemblies will bear a more taxing load that could stress the roofing systems beyond their normal capabilities. Add to that the economic risk that leaks, cracks and other damages could impart, and the value and importance of sustainable, durable and high-performing roofs grows exponentially.
As the new and revised codes prescribe, roofing systems are more complex and require more protective measures to increase its durability. The right premium cover board will help maintain the strength, durability and energy performance of a roofing system, allowing it to perform better, last longer, protect the building owner’s investment and support the tenants’ daily needs. Cover boards just take on added importance, given the added costs and complexity of the systems they protect and the potential consequences of a failure.
While a number of roof cover board materials are available to contractors, fiberglass-mat gypsum roofing boards, such as DensDeck Roof Boards for example, have proven to be effective. For more than 25 years, DensDeck panels have been shown to withstand delamination, deterioration, warping, and job site damage better than paper-faced gypsum board or other conventional roofing products, such as wood fiberboard and perlite.
Whatever roofing system you choose, be certain to select a durable cover board to protect the insulation needed for energy code and building program roof assembly R-values. While the prescriptive R-values vary by climate zone, every code or program requires some level of continuous insulation above the deck. The greater the insulation, the more roof protection makes sense. BD+C
Related Stories
| Sep 13, 2010
World's busiest land port also to be its greenest
A larger, more efficient, and supergreen border crossing facility is planned for the San Ysidro (Calif.) Port of Entry to better handle the more than 100,000 people who cross the U.S.-Mexico border there each day.
| Sep 13, 2010
Triple-LEED for Engineering Firm's HQ
With more than 250 LEED projects in the works, Enermodal Engineering is Canada's most prolific green building consulting firm. In 2007, with the firm outgrowing its home office in Kitchener, Ont., the decision was made go all out with a new green building. The goal: triple Platinum for New Construction, Commercial Interiors, and Existing Buildings: O&M.
| Sep 13, 2010
Stadium Scores Big with Cowboys' Fans
Jerry Jones, controversial billionaire owner of the Dallas Cowboys, wanted the team's new stadium in Arlington, Texas, to really amp up the fan experience. The organization spent $1.2 billion building a massive three-million-sf arena that seats 80,000 (with room for another 20,000) and has more than 300 private suites, some at field level-a first for an NFL stadium.
| Sep 13, 2010
'A Model for the Entire Industry'
How a university and its Building Team forged a relationship with 'the toughest building authority in the country' to bring a replacement hospital in early and under budget.
| Sep 13, 2010
Committed to the Core
How a forward-looking city government, a growth-minded university, a developer with vision, and a determined Building Team are breathing life into downtown Phoenix.
| Sep 13, 2010
Conquering a Mountain of Construction Challenges
Brutal winter weather, shortages of materials, escalating costs, occasional visits from the local bear population-all these were joys this Building Team experienced working a new resort high up in the Sierra Nevada.
| Sep 13, 2010
Data Centers Keeping Energy, Security in Check
Power consumption for data centers doubled from 2000 and 2006, and it is anticipated to double again by 2011, making these mission-critical facilities the nation's largest commercial user of electric power. With major technology companies investing heavily in new data centers, it's no wonder Building Teams see these mission-critical facilities as a golden opportunity, and why they are working hard to keep energy costs at data centers in check.
| Sep 13, 2010
3D Prototyping Goes Low-cost
Today’s less costly 3D color printers are attracting the attention of AEC firms looking to rapidly prototype designs and communicate design intent to clients.
| Aug 11, 2010
Cubellis principals reorganize as CI design
Former principals of Cubellis Inc. have formed ci design "with a stellar group of projects in the United States and internationally," states John Larsen who, with Richard Rankin and Christopher Ladd, is leading the architecture and planning firm.
| Aug 11, 2010
Leo A Daly changes name of STH, completes acquisition
LEO A DALY has changed the name of STH Architectural Group to the name of its parent company, Leo A Daly. STH was acquired in February 2009 as a strategic move to accelerate growth in its core business sectors and to strengthen the firm's presence in the Florida market.
