Articles

Central plant systems typically consist of components to provide chilled water for cooling, and use a boiler for heating water. Boilers typically operate at 17º F to 200º F, although most units that are manufactured currently are computer-controlled and may operate at as low as 100º F, depending on the exterior temperatures and the heat…

CCPIA has downloadable Reference Sheets for Low-Slope Roof Inspections for members to use. The types of low-slope roofing systems included are built-up roofs (BUR), modified bitumen roofs, single-ply roofs (TPO, PVC, EPDM), and metal roofs. Each reference sheet includes: a description of the roofing system and relevant subcategories; its principle components; average lifespan; its pros;…

Ready-to-Use Graphics CCPIA has a variety of social media graphics and templates available for members to use. These ready-to-use graphics may be downloaded directly from our website and posted to your social media accounts, inspection company website, and email blasts, and any other marketing and advertising medium within seconds. When implementing the ready-to-use graphics in…

Conventional Roof System In a conventional roof system, the insulation is installed under the roof membrane. This is the most common low-slope roof application. The location of the insulation in a conventional roof system poses a few disadvantages. When inspecting, look signs of the following: 1. Membrane aging. When insulation is used directly under the…

Scope of the Commercial Property Inspection Commercial Inspection Standards of Practice When entering into an agreement to inspect a property, it’s common for the inspector to include in the agreement the Standards of Practice that will form the basis for his inspection. Members of CCPIA perform commercial building inspections according to the International Standards of…

Terms You Should Know Thermal conductivity Thermal conductivity is the K-value. It is the measure of a material’s ability to conduct heat. A low K-value indicates that the material does not allow heat energy to easily pass through. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), a material must have a K-value of 0.5 or…

All buildings are capable of having an unlimited physical service life, but not an unlimited economic life. No other building system surpasses roofs as a source of litigation. Roofs may fail for either economic or technical reasons. Economic Reasons for Roof Failure When decisions are made on how to spend money on the construction of…

The complexities involved in adequately designing a roof for optimal long-term performance are reflected by the number of factors that a designer must consider, including: original construction and life-cycle (long-term) costs; energy conservation scheme; value of building’s interior contents; required long-term service life; basic roof components (deck, insulation, membrane, accessories); availability of qualified contractors/workers; environmental…

The following information is a general overview of basic and accessory low-slope roof components, their major design factors, functions, and common failures. The three main components of a low-slope roof are the structural deck, the thermal insulation, and the membrane. Other vital parts of a low-slope roof include the flashing and air retarders, although these…

Low-slope roofs were a late invention in building construction. This was mostly because steep-slope roofs exhibited superior water-shedding properties. Also, before industrialization, much of the manufacturing of goods was done in people’s homes by hand or with basic small machinery, so there wasn’t a need for larger buildings. But as the Industrial Revolution progressed, it…