The focus of the initial version of the Code is therefore on providing guidance for the specification, design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of green roofs: a) de-mystifying the technical issues surrounding green roofs to facilitate more informed specifications; and b) increasing the quantity and quality of contractors that can install and maintain green roofs to deliver the specification objectives for the long-term.
Since publication, the Code has been widely disseminated throughout the Construction Industry – amongst the most popular downloads from the NFRC’s website, the Code is also freely available for download from
www.greenroofcode.co.uk or from many green roof manufacturers’ websites. However, whilst the GRO Code will serve as an important foundation for the long-term development of the green roof industry in the UK, further iterative development is essential; with the next logical step being for the Code to encompass manufacturing guidance.
The Code beyond 2011 Research is increasingly highlighting that the green roof’s configuration significantly influences its performance and ability to fulfil the specification objectives. Accordingly, there is an increasing diversity of green roof systems available from an ever-expanding number of suppliers.
Being able to identify and communicate performance and quality indicators will therefore be important. Consistent quantification of performance will not only benefit specifiers with greater transparency when evaluating systems’ ability to achieve the desired objectives, but will equally inform manufacturers’ product developments.
The initial version of the Code prioritised specifiers’ and contractors’ requirements rather than providing product testing methodologies or performance acceptance
criteria, leaving quality manufacturers to follow the German FLL guidelines. However, surely one must question the longer-term merit in having a UK Code that refers to German DIN standards (some of which are not classed as Euro Norms) and bespoke procedures developed by the FLL’s working groups?
Whilst green roofs are a specialised field, most green roof components are used in related applications. Accordingly, there are existing British Standards and Euro Norms that stipulate procedures for testing and documenting performance of growing media, geo- textiles and geo-synthetics. By adopting these standard procedures, not only will it reduce testing costs (due to the use of standard procedures and equipment, and a greater number of available test facilities) but will also allow manufacturers to evaluate the suitability of new components from UK manufacturers, who will typically already possess the relevant test data.
The publication of such manufacturing guidance will represent the next step towards a holistic UK green roof guidance document – increasing awareness of the performance and quality of green roof components amongst both specifiers and manufacturers – and will provide the foundation for the final stage: deriving UK- specific acceptable performance levels.
Alumasc is committed to building upon the foundations laid out in the Code; continuously improving its highly- engineered green roof systems and providing transparent advice regarding the performance benefits that can be anticipated from the installation. To find out more about Alumasc Green Roofs, please visit:
www.alumascgreenroofs.co.uk or e-mail to
technical@alumasc-exteriors.co.uk.
ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY MAGAZINE |69|
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