In spring 1995, a group of roofing professionals from around the
world with expertise in roof system design, roofing forensics,
material manufacturing and material research convened in Brussels,
Belgium, to discuss an emerging idea within the roofing
community—sustainability.
These roofing experts, who either are members of the CIB
(International Council for Research and Innovation in Building
Construction) Working Commission W.83 or RILEM (International Union
of Testing and Research Laboratories for Materials and Structures)
Technical Committee 166RMS, met as part of a five-year task group
to determine the state-of-the-art design, application and
maintenance of sustainable low-slope membrane roof systems. Their
committee work was titled "Towards Sustainable Roofing."
The committee members believed there was a growing interest in
sustainability and enlightened building owners and roof system
designers were interested in adopting roof systems that fit within
environmental parameters. On a universal model, the parameters vary
among regions, countries and nations. The roofing industry's
challenge is to translate this interest and good will into
practical guidelines that lead to improvements in the long-term
performance of roof systems—within a given financial
budget.
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