Tech Today

Performance criteria update


During the past several years, those involved with the roofing industry's Performance Criteria for Constructed Roof Systems (PCCRS) initiative have been meeting regularly to develop the organization's initial roof system performance criteria for built-up and spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roof systems. Criteria Development Groups (CDGs) were formed to develop draft criteria for each of the two systems, and the drafts are nearing completion.

But before the documents can be released, your feedback is needed.

BUR and SPF

In early February 2008, the PCCRS Council—which is responsible for the administration and general oversight of PCCRS—will make the built-up roof (BUR) and SPF drafts available to the public for review and comments. The PCCRS Council will accept comments on the initial drafts until May 15, 2008, after which the CDGs will meet to address all comments received.

In July 2008, revised drafts will be made available to those individuals who reviewed the initial drafts. Comments on the revised drafts will be accepted for a minimum of 30 days after they are made available. After that, the specific CDGs and, if necessary, the council will meet to finalize the documents.

To participate in the public review, complete the reviewer registration on PCCRS' Web site, www.pccrs.net. Registered viewers will be forwarded the document drafts when they are available. It is anticipated the BUR and SPF criteria documents will be published in early 2009.

New CDGs

At the most recent meeting of the PCCRS Council—council members agreed to begin seeking candidates to serve on CDGs for the next two roof system types to be addressed: EPDM and PVC.

The council plans to appoint CDG members in spring 2008. The new CDGs likely will first meet in July 2008 and should complete their drafts within about 18 months of their first meetings. At that point, the drafts also will be made available for public review and comment. Tentatively, the EPDM and PVC criteria documents should be fi­nalized and published sometime in 2010.

In establishing CDGs, the council is seeking participation from a balance of those who produce roof systems (manufacturers) and install roof systems (roofing contractors) and those who have a general interest (designers, building owners). This is intended so no industry segment holds a majority vote in the PCCRS process.

If you have experience with EPDM or PVC membrane roof systems and are interested in actively participating in the PCCRS process, I encourage you to submit an application for voting membership in a specific CDG. An application form is accessible on PCCRS' Web site, and you should submit the form by March 14, 2008, to be considered for initial appointment to the EPDM and PVC CDGs.

Your participation

With the public review period for the initial performance criteria for built-up and SPF roof systems coming soon and the council establishing new CDGs for EPDM and PVC membrane roof systems, there is ample opportunity for participation in the PCCRS process.

If you have a specific technical interest in BUR, SPF, EPDM and/or PVC roof systems, I encourage you to get involved in PCCRS as a draft reviewer, member of a new CDG or both.

Additional information is available at www.pccrs.net.

Mark S. Graham is NRCA's associate executive director of technical services.

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