DENVER GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW MAY 1, 2018 CRA AND RCI JOINTLY - Colorado Roofing Association

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DENVER GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW MAY 1, 2018 CRA AND RCI JOINTLY - Colorado Roofing Association
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          DENVER GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE
          WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
DATE                   CLIENT
          MAY 1, 2018         CRA AND RCI JOINTLY   1-K
DENVER GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW MAY 1, 2018 CRA AND RCI JOINTLY - Colorado Roofing Association
What happened?              Green Roof/Solar Basics

Today’s
              History                       Green Roofs

              Required Areas                Roofing &

Agenda        Exemptions
                                            Waterproofing

and
                                            Solar
              Triggers
                                         Permitting Requirements

Objectives    Existing Buildings

              Variance & cash -in-lieu
                                         Design/Installation
                                         Requirements
              Examples                   What’s Next

                                         Process

                                                               2-K
DENVER GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW MAY 1, 2018 CRA AND RCI JOINTLY - Colorado Roofing Association
No arguing over whether or not the
            Initiative is a good idea
            No detailed discussion of plants
            No project or system specifics

Rules of    No comments about green roofs in Denver

the Day
            (good or bad)
            No product or manufacturer names (good
            or bad)
            No sales pitches!

           Goal: Education about the Initiative and its
           impact
                                                      3-K
DENVER GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW MAY 1, 2018 CRA AND RCI JOINTLY - Colorado Roofing Association
WHAT HAPPENED?
DENVER'S GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE

                                 4-K
History - Basics
Passed (54%) in Denver on
November 7, 2017

Took effect for any permits issued
on or after January 1, 2018

Requires green roofs and/or solar
panels on a percentage of roof
areas for large buildings

Applies to: New roofs and roof
replacements on
  All buildings (new and existing) which
  have gross square footage of 25,000 or
  more (except some residential)

  All additions to buildings (except some
  residential) which cause the gross square
  footage of the building to exceed 25,000

                                              5-K
MYTH: The Roofing Industry
has Stopped in Denver

 Roofing work
 continues in all facets
 of the market, including
 both reroofs AND new
 construction with
 permits pulled after
 January 1

                             6-K
Required Green Roof Coverage
        Gross Building                                    Green Roof Coverage
       Square Footage                      All Other Buildings             NEW Industrial Buildings *

        Less than 25,000                     No Requirement                     No Requirement

        25,000 to 49,999                  20% of avail. roof area     Green Roof: Lesser of 25,000 SF or
                                                                             10% of avail. roof area
        50,000 to 99,999                  30% of avail. roof area     Solar Panels: 80% of avail. roof area
                                                                        with a water catchment system
       100,000 to 149,999                 40% of avail. roof area

       150,000 to 199,999                 50% of avail. roof area

         200,000 or more                  60% of avail. roof area

* The initiative defines an industrial building as “a building or building addition exclusively used or
designed or intended for use for or in connection exclusively with the manufacturing, producing or
processing of goods, warehousing or bulk storage of goods, self-storage facility, distribution center,
truck terminal, research and development in connection with manufacturing, producing or
processing of goods.” It also includes any office space attached to what would otherwise be an
industrial building, but excludes warehouse club/retail stores.
                                                                                                          7-K
Compliance via Solar
Combinations of green roof and
solar panels can be used to meet
the required square footage, IF:
  At least 30% of the required combined
  area is green roof

  Green roof and/or rainwater catchment
  system meets requirements for rainwater
  retention of .25 inches of each rainfall or
  50% of annual rainfall volume falling on
  the roof surfaces.

     Rainwater catchment for commercial buildings
     is not legal in Colorado – need variance

Existing solar arrays reduce the
available roof square footage (does
not count toward compliance)
                                                    8-K
Named Exemptions: Section D
 Building Permit applications submitted prior to Jan 1st, 2018

 Buildings under 25,000 square feet of gross floor area

 Residential Buildings or additions to residential buildings with a height* less than or
 equal to the greater of four stories or 50-feet. (no single family homes)

 Commercial Greenhouses located at grade, temporary structures and air supported
 structures
    There is no definition in the code for a greenhouse only requirements. Does a “grow” operation
    qualify as a “greenhouse”?

 Implied Structural Exemption for roof replacements that will result in major
 structural alterations…

 * Height: the vertical distance measured between a
 horizontal line drawn from the average grade to the
 highest point on the building, not including specific
 rooftop elements.
                                                                                              9-K
Implied Structural Exemption:
Sub-Section 4. When an existing building or building addition
with a gross floor area of 25,000 square feet or greater requires
roof replacement the roof shall be built to include a
combination of green roof and solar energy collection in
accordance with Subsection A(2) or the maximum amount of
coverage possible so that major structural alterations are
not required. [emphasis added]

                                                               10-K
What is a:
“Major Structural Alteration”?
 From the draft Rules and Regulations:

                                         11-K
MYTH: All Existing Buildings
will be Structurally Exempt
 Many low-rise and mid-rise commercial and industrial
 buildings may be exempt

 High rise buildings (above 15 stories) are very likely to be
 able to support a green roof, especially if:
   They have a concrete structure

   They already have a ballasted roof

 Current estimates are that 10-20% of existing roof area
 in Denver subject to the initiative (not low-rise residential)
 will be structurally capable of supporting a green roof
                                                             12-K
What Triggers the
Requirements?
  When you pull a permit (new construction or reroofing)

  Does not apply to:
     Repairs (under 10% of roof or 2 SQ)

     Coatings

     Recover*

* see next page
                                                     13-K
Roof Replacement - Existing Buildings

 When an existing building or building addition with a
 gross floor area of 25,000 square feet or greater requires a
 roof replacement [emphasis added] the roof shall rebuilt
 to include a combination of green roof and solar energy
 collection in accordance with Subsection A(2) or the
 maximum amount of coverage possible so that major
 alterations are not required.

                                                                14-K
Replacement vs. Recover
 The code is specific about replacement vs recover.

 IBC 2015:

    Section 1511.3 Roof Replacement shall include the removal
   of all existing layers of roof coverings down to the roof deck.

   Section 1511.3.1 Roof Recover The installation of a new roof
   covering over an existing roof covering shall be permitted
   where any of the following conditions occur:
      Where the new roof covering is installed in accordance with the
      manufacturer’s instructions.

      Complete and separate roofing systems, such as standing-seam metal
      where the supports transmit the lads directly to structural elements.

      Metal panels concrete tile over wood shakes

      Application of a new coating over sprayed-in-place foam.
                                                                              15-K
Recover Caveats
IBC 2015 Section 1511.3.1.1

A roof recover shall not be permitted where any of the following occur:

1. Where the existing roof or roof covering is water soaked or
   deteriorated to the point that the existing roof is not adequate as a
   base for additional roofing.

2. Where the existing roof covering is slate, clay cement or asbestos
   tile.

3. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of
   roof covering.

                                                                           16-K
Existing Buildings
Project                                          Gross Square
Type?                                              Footage?
               Reroof                                            >25,000

                                                                            Structural
                                         Other
                                                                            Capacity
                        Building
                                                                             Check
                         Type?
                                                                            Results?        Major
                                                                                          Structural
                                                                                         Upgrade Not
                               Low-Rise
Existing Buildings –
Additional Considerations
 No exemptions for:
   HVAC interference/relocation

   Balconies/decks on the roof

   Shading

   Slope (even steep slope roofs)

   Commonly exempt building types
   (religious institutions, non-profits,
   schools, government buildings, historic
   buildings, etc.)

 Gross square footage may be
 difficult to determine
                                             18-K
Another Choice:
In lieu of installing a Green Roof you can buy your
way out by calculating the area that would be
required and then paying $25/ square foot instead
of doing the green roof (referred to as “cash-in-
lieu”)

Note that full variances (not exemptions or partial
variances) are subject to cash-in-lieu

                                                      19-K
MYTH: Green Roofs are
Always 4x More Expensive

 Green roofs do cost more than conventional
 roofing initially, but exact figures are project-
 specific
   Initial studies suggest that the cost impact will be
   higher on a per-square-foot basis to retail facilities than
   other building uses/types

                                                                 20-K
Example 1
•   Gross Square Footage: 100,000

•   Roof Square footage: 100,000

    •   Required Square Footage: 40,000 (40% of available roof area)

          •   Minimum green roof square footage: 12,000 (30% of required area)

                        Green Roof
                     (12,000 SF Min.)

                      Green Roof OR
                          Solar
                     (28,000 SF Min.)

                                                                                 21-K
Example 2
•   Gross Square Footage: 150,000 (3 floors, 50,000 SF each)

•   Roof Square footage: 50,000

    •   Required Square Footage: 25,000 (50% of avail. roof area)

         •   Minimum green roof square footage: 7,500 (30% of required area)

                          Green Roof
                        (7,500 SF Min.)

                         Green Roof OR
                             Solar
                        (17,500 SF Min.)

                                                                               22-K
Example 3
•   Gross Square Footage: 100,000

•   Roof Square footage: 100,000
    •   50,000 SF of solar already installed – available roof area: 50,000 SF

    •   Required Square Footage: 20,000 (40% of available roof area)

          •   Minimum green roof square footage: 6,000 (30% of required area)
                      Green Roof
                      (6,000 SF
                         Min.)

                      Green Roof
                       OR Solar
                      (14,000 SF
                         Min.)

                                                                                23-K
Example 4
•   Gross Square Footage: 100,000
•   Roof Square Footage: 100,000
    •   Required Square Footage: 40,000
          •   Minimum green roof square footage: 12,000

•   6:12 roof Pitch, ridge East-West
    •   Ordinance requires 30% minimum green roof, but not possible due to pitch
    •   Available solar area exceeds required area – cash-in-lieu required: ???

                                              6:12

                   Solar Available            6:12

                   (50,000 SF)                                      N
                                                                                  24-K
Example 5
•   Gross Square Footage: 100,000
•   Roof Square Footage: 100,000
    •   Required Square Footage: 40,000
          •   Minimum green roof square footage: 12,000

•   6:12 roof Pitch, ridge North-South
    •   Green roof not possible due to pitch
    •   Solar difficult (no southern exposure) – cash-in-lieu required: $1,000,000

                                                          6:12

          Variance
        (40,000 SF)
                                                          6:12

                                                                                 N
                                                                                     25-K
GREEN ROOF &
SOLAR BASICS

               26-D
What is a Green Roof?
A surface over occupied space which is waterproofed,
then covered with growing media and plants

                                                   27-D
Types of Green Roofs

 Extensive Green Roof                Intensive Green Roof
 • Typically planted with sedums     • Large plant diversity
   (low-growing, drought resistant
   plants)                           • Can be made accessible

 • Drought tolerant                  • Deeper growing media = heavier

 • Minimal growing media = lighter   • More maintenance

 • Less maintenance
                                                                        28-D
Low Slope Roof Membranes

                                                      *some                            *ballasted only

 Built-up Roof (BUR)                       Modified Bitumen                  EPDM

                                                                             Legend:

                                                                                 OK in green roof

                                                                                 Caution using in a
                                                                                 green roof, see note
  PVC/KEE                                 TPO
                                                                                 Cool roof
Note: Some membranes will work in a green roof with proper design
and/or back-up systems, but will not typically work well if installed in a
manner similar to how they are installed in roofing.                                                     29-D
Waterproofing Membranes

Rubberized Asphalt (Hot or   “Peel-and-Stick”       Crystalline (vertical)
Cold-Applied)

                                                    Legend:

                                                          OK in green roof

                                                          Caution (see prev. slide)

                                                          Never use in green roof
Cold Fluid Applied (Epoxy,   Bentonite (Vertical)
PMMA, Polyurea, etc.)                                                          30-D
Growth Media
 Growth media (not “dirt” or “soil”)
 is an engineered material which is
 lightweight, specifically intended for use
 on roofs. Growth media consists of:
   • Lightweight Aggregate (perlite, peat, bark, crushed brick…)
   • Sand
   • Organics (humus, compost, clean top soil)
   • Inorganic (crushed clay, silt, pumice)

 Weight is an important consideration for green roofs;
   •   Growth media weighs 30-75 pcf dry/unsaturated (60-120 pcf
       saturated). 4-inch saturated extensive growth media can weigh
       10 to 40 psf
   •   As opposed to 75-100 pcf dry (100 to 125 psf saturated) for typical
       dirt/soil.
                                                                         31-D
Vegetation
selection critical for aesthetics (plant color, height, etc.)

                    Sedums

                                                                32-D
Site-Planted Systems
Extensive site planting:
  Hydroseeding

  Plugs

Intensive site planting:
  Some grasses/ground cover plants
  included in intensive roofs can be
  site-planted with hydroseeding or
  plugs

  Larger plants (bushes, trees, etc.)
  typically transplanted as semi-mature
  plants
                                          33-D
Pre-Planted Systems
 Trays (extensive and some
 intensive)
   vegetation
   growth media
   separation fabric
   drainage plate
   protection mat.

 Mats (extensive only)
 multilayer system with:
   vegetation
   biodegradable felt growth mat
                                   34-D
Irrigation
 Must be site-specific for the
 layout/types of plants

 Drip irrigation and soaker
 hoses are common for all
 types of green roof
 applications

 Sprinklers / Sprays can be
 challenging on roofs due to
 higher wind, but are often
 used
                                 35-D
Solar Basics
 Integration of solar cells that produce energy
 Membrane selection important for solar performance
   Solar loses efficiency at higher temperatures
   The temperature ~1.5 ft above a white roof is usually warmer than
   ~1.5 ft above a black roof

                                                                       36-D
Types of Solar
Commonly used in low slope roof applications

 Photovoltaic (PV) Solar
 Panels
   Traditional monocrystalline or
   polysilicon silicon panels.
   Higher output, higher cost.

 Thin Film Solar Cells
 (Surface-applied PV films)
   photovoltaic material (amorphous
   silicon) deposited onto the substrate.
   Lower output, lower cost.
                                               37-D
Wind Loads on Solar
 Flat panels subject to suction/uplift only (similar to
 roofing)
 Angled/elevated panels subject to suction/uplift
 and pushing pressure simultaneously
   Total load typically 1.5-2x higher than suction/uplift alone

                                                    Standards
                                                    ANSI FM 4476 - Flexible
                                                    Photovoltaic Modules
                                                    ANSI FM 4478 - Rigid
                                                    Photovoltaic Modules

                                                                       38-D
Anchoring Solar Panels
Must resist loads imposed by
wind, as well as gravity/snow
loads
Two methods:
1. Fasten/anchor to structure
      Creates penetrations in the
      roofing
      Harder to disturb from snow, work
      on the roof, etc.

2. Ballasted frame
      No penetrations
      Roof structure may not support
      weight required to resist required
      uplift/suction loads
                                           39-D
Solar Systems – On-Grid

Allows excess power to be sold back to the electrical grid

Requires an inverter to convert DC power from the
panels to AC power for the grid
                                                         40-D
Solar Systems – Off-Grid

Excess power generated cannot be sold to the electrical
grid

Usually residential systems
                                                          41-D
PERMITTING
REQUIREMENTS

               42-K
Green Roof Declaration
Form (GRDF)
 Submittals required to attach to a non-exempt form
 include:
   All architectural, structural, and MEP drawings pertinent to the
   roof (or systems serving the roof)
   Drawings and details for a solar system
   Landscape/irrigation plans for green roof
   Wind uplift letter (signed and sealed by a PE)
   Green roof establishment and maintenance plan
   Variance request for water collection requirements for any
   projects incorporating solar
                                                                      43-K
Green Roof Declaration Form
         (GRDF)

                              44-K
45-K
46-K
47-K
48-K
49-K
50-K
51-K
52-K
Structural Exemption
 Use the exemption on the first page
 Attach to GRDF signed and sealed letter from a PE which
 includes:
   Available roof area
   Type of existing system
   Percent coverage required based on gross area
   Load capacity of the existing structure
   Load and characteristics of the green roof needed
   Narrative describing the required structural alteration
   Percentage of the roof which can support a green roof without major structural alteration
   Size of proposed green roof and PV (if any)

                                                                                          53-K
DESIGN & INSTALLATION
   REQUIREMENTS

                    54-K
Green Roof Construction
Standard (GRCS)
Set of requirements established by the
initiative (Section 10-303, Subsection B)
which must be met for the design and
construction of a green roof

                                            55-K
GRCS Requirements
1. Green Roof Assembly

2. Gravity Loads

3. Slope Stability

4. Parapet height and/or overflow scupper locations

5. Wind Uplift

6. Fire safety

7. Occupancy and Safety

8. Waterproofing

9. Drainage

10.Water retention

11.Vegetation Performance

12.Irrigation

13.Maintenance Plan                                   56-K
1. Green Roof Assembly

                         57-K
2. Gravity Loads
(a) ASTM E2397.05 Standard Practice for Determination of
Dead loads and Live Loads Associated with Green Roof Systems

(b) The Density of the growth media shall be determined:
   •   ASTM E2339.05 Standard Test Method for Maximum Media Density
       for Dead Load Analysis of Green Roof Systems or alternatively

   •   The designer may use an un-factor, saturated density of the growing
       media of 125 pcf

(c) The applicant shall include design loads definition as part of
the “Green Roof Declaration” form which shall be required as
part of the application for building permit
                                                                             58-D
Weight for 4-inches

 Taken from Green Roof Solutions web site:
   Saturated weight of 45 psf for 4” of media depth

 The initiative has the media density as 125 pcf or
 41.7 psf.

                                                      59-D
Weight of media and snow

 Denver snow load= 35 psf ground snow load or
 24.5 psf roof snow load.

 24.5 + 41.7 = 66.2 psf

 Just for the weight of the green roof and snow
 load.

                                                  60-D
Other Direct Roof Loads:
 Weight of roofing

 Weight of drain mat

 Weight of protection boards

 Weight of R-30 insulation

 Weight of roof deck

 Weight of any boxes around growing beds

                                           61-D
Weight Concerns:
Older buildings in Denver commonly never saw a full
code snow load due to low levels of insulation. The
snow melted.

The new Energy Code increased the R-value to R-30.
The snow builds up deeper and may get to a full code
snow load.

Basically every reroof in Denver will require an
engineering sign off on weight.

                                                      62-D
3. Slope Stability*

All roofs with slopes in excess of 10° (17%) [2:12] that support
green roof assemblies shall incorporate anti-shear measures.

    NOTE: The City of Denver has (verbally) interpreted this and does not require
                      green roofs on slopes greater than 2:12

     * Yes, this applies to sloped roof that are more than 50-ft high for residential
        buildings and on any non-residential sloped roof in the City of Denver.
                                                                                        63-D
4. Parapet Wall Height and/or
overflow scupper locations

(a) Parapets and Scuppers shall be specified in the design, as
required, to limit retained rain water loads to within structural
limits in the event of obstructed internal drains.

(b) Analysis shall be done join conformance with DBC

                                                                64-D
Overflow Scuppers
(c) The reference point for overflow scuppers height must be
early indicated to avoid the possibility of confusing the
overflow scupper height as being measured above the
finished green surface or other layer above the
waterproofing resulting in higher water load than accounted
for by the design as indicated in the sketch below.

                                                           65-D
5. Wind Uplift

The applicant shall provide a report, stamped by an
engineer, [emphasis added] providing wind uplift
pressures being designed for (including a description of
how the pressures were determined), and describing how
the design addresses these pressures.

                                                           66-K
Wind Uplift – Industry Tools
 ANSI/SPRI RP-14 is a potential tool for designers,
 particularly in early stages of green roof design
   Provides tables based on allowable wind speed (not
   ultimate), building height, exposure category, and
   parapet height that direct designers to an acceptable
   “system” (Systems 1 through 3)

   Provides minimum weight/descriptions of the ballast
   which must be provided for a given system

                                                           67-K
Wind Uplift – RP-14 Example
 70 ft high, allowable wind speed of 90 MPH,
 Exposure C, 10-inch parapet  Requires System 2

                                                   68-K
Wind Uplift – RP-14 Example

                          69-K
Wind Uplift - Considerations
  FM does not insure in Wind Zones over 100 mph
    Denver is over 100 mph everywhere

  The industry standard method for pressure
  determination is ASCE7-10.
    It does not address wind erosion of soils.

No longer permissible to use industry standard wind
uplift designs (such as FM Global fastening patterns)
under a green roof without an engineer’s sign-off

                                                        70-K
6. Fire Safety
Where roof penetrations, intersecting walls, parapets,
upturns, or mechanical equipment are clad with
combustible materials the design shall include a vegetation-
free zone abutting such features and the vegetation-free
border shall be equal to the vegetation height at maturity
but in no case less than 1.5 ft.

                                                               71-D
Fire Safety – Industry Tools
 ANSI/SPRI VF-1
  Requires green roofs on slopes over 2:12 to be designed

  Requires a minimum 3-foot wide perimeter non-vegetated
  zone (as compared to the initiative’s 1.5-foot requirement…)

  Provides recommendations for firebreaks, area dividers, etc.

  Commentary indicates that roofs which meet certain criteria
  can be considered “hard roofs”, which are equivalent to a
  Class A fire rating. Requirements include maintenance of the
  plants, substrate thickness and content, and use of irrigation

                                                                   72-D
Fire Safety - Considerations

 Depending on
 plant material, dry
 sprinkler systems
 may be required.

 Dead plants are
 brush fires waiting
 to happen

                               73-D
7. Occupancy and Safety

The applicant shall state, in a green roof declaration form
and the green roof application, the use of the roof and
whether or not it will be accessible to the public.

                                                              74-D
8. Waterproofing

                   75-K
9. Drainage

Dead-level flat membranes are not permitted under
green roofs for this initiative

                                                    76-K
10. Water retention

                      77-K
11. Vegetative Performance

In order to support plant survivability :

(a) When structurally possible, the growing media shall be a
minimum of 4 inches; or

(b) The applicant shall provide a report confirming that the
engineered system as designed provides plant survivability
comparable to that of an un-irrigated system with growing
media at minimum 4 inches.

                                                               78-K
12. Plant Selection

* Cited definition for “noxious weeds” includes invasive species

** Yes, “Urban Agriculture” means growing food

                                                                   79-D
13. Irrigation

Adequate measures shall be provided to permit irrigation
necessary to initiate and sustain the vegetation during the
service life of the green roof.

                                                              80-D
14. Maintenance Plan
(a) The applicant shall develop a maintenance plan for the green roof as
per which shall define programs of routine maintenance and inspection
to ensure the green roof components perform their required functions
for the duration of their design lives.
(b) The maintenance plan shall address the requirement of the specified
growth media and vegetation for vegetation survival.
(c) the maintenance plan shall address re-planting, in the event
replanting should become necessary.
(d) The maintenance plan shall be submitted with the application for a
permit for a green roof.

  NOTE: Regular maintenance requires access.                        81-D
Maintenance
All green roofs

   Removal of deadfall, dead plants, raking, etc.

   Replanting failing areas/plants

   Fertilizing

   Irrigating

   Cleaning drains/scuppers

Extensive and grasses/ground cover on
intensive:

   Trimming

Larger plants on intensive:

   Pruning
                                                    82-D
Owner Buy-in

  The maintenance plan is the responsibility of the
  owner.

Our advice is have the owner sign off that the
maintenance plan will be followed and the contractor
and the specifier are not responsible the day after the
roof is accepted as being complete.

                                                          83-K
MYTH: Roofers will have to
hire Landscapers

 Roofers can install their own green roofing and/or
 irrigation, with the proper licensing

                                                      84-K
Contractor Licensing
 City of Denver has implemented a new contractor’s
 license for Green Roofing and Irrigation
   The green roof license can be obtained by any roofer with 2
   years’ experience in the green roofing field (must be green
   roofing, landscaping alone is not sufficient)

   The irrigation license can be obtained by any contractor with 2
   years’ experience in the trade

                                                                     85-K
NEXT STEPS
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH DENVER’S
     GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE?

                                  86-D
Task Force vs. Advisory Council
                    Initiative                              City of
                                                            Denver
   Green Roofing
                              All Other
    Construction
                             Provisions
     Standard                                          Created Green Roof
                                                       Review Task Force
                                     GRRTF providing
   TAC will                          recommendations
                                                       (GRRTF), has been
maintain GRCS                           on all other      meeting since
                                         provisions
                                                         February, Last 2
                                                         meetings in May
                 Included requirement to
                create Technical Advisory
                 Council (TAC), member
                  selection still pending
                                                                      87-D
Task Force Progress
Proposed major amendment to the initiative which would
introduce a system to qualify as a “green roof,” even if no
actual plants are installed
  Proposed system would be similar to LEED, and would
  include points in 4 categories:
  1. Urban Heat Island - cool roofs (Energy Star rated)
  2. Green Experience - vegetation (3% of required area)
  3. Water & Storm Water Management
  4. Climate - Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions
    (using calculator based on building size, energy star rating…)

Currently multiple ways to achieve required score in the 4
categories. Equivalent to environmental benefit of Green Roof
Initiative while meeting C&C Denver environmental goals.
                                                                     88-D
Task Force Progress (Cont.)
 Task Force recommendations to be reviewed by
 “Green Roof Advisors” industry professionals
 gathered by the City and County of Denver to
 provide advice and inform

 Final recommendations submitted to Denver City
 Council for review and possible adoption.
   Two city council members currently on the Green Roof
   Task Force

                                                          89-D
City Council
 July 1, 2018 is the first time the initiative can be
 amended, modified, or repealed
   All changes to the initiative (including repealing it) would
   require a super majority vote of City Council

                                                                  90-D
MYTH: Repeal is Coming
City Council has publicly stated that they feel it is
imperative to honor the voter’s intent by keeping
the initiative

                                                        91-D
MYTH: The Initial
Amendment will Solve it all
 Chances are we’ll need to live with a Green Roof or
 Environmental Initiative and continue to provide input to
 our lawmakers

 Potential issues which will remain:
   Extreme weather will continue to adversely affect roofing
   performance

   White roofs (being considered as an alternate compliance method)
   encourage condensation when not properly designed

   Urban Heat Island has a high contribution from roads and parking
   lots

   May still need an “approved systems” library (similar to RoofNav)
                                                                       92-D
PROJECT PROCESS
CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DESIGN AND
   BUILDING OF GREEN ROOFS

                                   93-K
Designer Involvement
 Services required from Designers:
   Structural assessment of existing buildings – must be signed and
   sealed by engineer

   Wind load calculations/letter – must be signed and sealed by
   engineer

   Testing of waterproofing prior to green material installation – Test
   letter must be signed by engineer/architect

 Specifics for growing media depth, water retention,
 drainage, positive slope to drain, non-vegetated
 zones, etc.
   Contact a qualified designer to assist with requirements if
   needed                                                                 94-K
Develop Partnerships

 Roofing contractors with landscapers and irrigation
 companies

 Owners with landscape/irrigation maintenance
 companies

                                                       95-K
City of Denver Forms

 Apply for proper contractor’s licensing

 Fill out GRDF for all new building or reroofing
 permits

                                                   96-K
Available Standards
ANSI/SPRI RF-14
  Wind

ANSI/SPRI VF-1
  Structural Design, Waterproofing, Slope, Firebreaks, Area Divider, Border Zone,
  Maintenance

ASTM E2400 / E2400M
  Selection, Installation, and Maintenance of Plants for Green Roof Systems

FM Global Technical Advisory Bulletin 1-35
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association)
USGBC (United States Green Building Council)
                                                                                    97-D
QUESTIONS?
• City of Denver GRI Website
  https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/d
  enver-development-services/commercial-
  projects/green-roof-initiative.html

• Copy of Presentation
  http://coloradoroofing.org/member/education/

PRESENTED BY:
Kade Gromowski, P.E., RRC, RWC - Pie Consulting & Engineering (www.pieglobal.com)
Rich Boon, P.E. – Construction Support Services
Dan Cupit, RC, BSCE – Professional Inspection Services (www.pcsden.com)
                                                                                    98-D
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