CCPIA’s Inspecting Low-Slope Roofs Course for Commercial Property Inspectors teaches students how to inspect low-slope roofs at commercial buildings. The student will learn about the components in a low-slope roof assembly and their common deficiencies. It also covers critical safety practices.
Commercial Roof Inspection Course Overview
In Section 1, students will learn about the history of low-slope roofs, the differences between steep-slope and low-slope roofs, and the complexities of flat roofing design, construction, and repair, which provide the basis for assessing systems and working with various parties on the job. It also reviews the common problems prone to low-slope roofs that the inspector should report.
Section 2 provides students with a detailed look at the composition of low-slope roofs and components, including:
- structural roof deck;
- expansion joints and area dividers;
- air retarders and vapor retarders;
- thermal insulation;
- membranes:
- built-up roofing;
- modified bitumen;
- single-ply membranes;
- metal panel roofs;
- coatings;
- flashing and roof penetrations; and
- drainage.
The student will learn about the specific characteristics and common defects associated with each component and roofing material. This course also reviews the different types of roof membrane installations, including mechanically-attached, fully-adhered, loose-laid ballasted, and liquid-applied or sprayed-on.
Understanding these details will help the inspector identify and report on items and their defects in the various roofing systems that s/he will encounter in the field. The technical material is in adherence to NRCA and IBC standards and guidelines.
In Section 3, students will learn about roof inspection procedures, according to the ComSOP, including the scope of the inspection, and the research portion pertaining to the roof. It also reviews considerations for accessing the roof and critical safety practices that inspectors should keep in mind prior to walking the roof, during ascent, and once on the roof.
Provided for the inspector at the end of the course are a commercial roof inspection checklist, and resources for repair and replacement cost estimates, including a Flat Roof Replacement Cost Calculator.
Continuing Education
International Code Council (ICC) has approved CCPIA’s Inspecting Low-Slope Roofs Course for Commercial Property Inspectors for 0.60 CEUs. For more information visit, ICC Approves CCPIA’s Inspecting Low-Slope Roofs Course. This course is also eligible for InterNACHI® continuing education credits.
Additional Course Information
This is a self-paced course. There are quizzes throughout, and students are required to answer all quiz questions correctly before moving on to the next lesson. There is a final exam at the end of the course. Students have an unlimited number of attempts but a time limit of two hours to complete the exam. Upon successful completion and passing the 100-question final exam, students will be able to download a Certificate of Completion, which is auto-generated in their own name.
CCPIA’s Online Standards of Practice Course, InterNACHI’s “How to Perform Roof Inspections” Course, and InterNACHI’s Mastering Roof Inspections article series are all the recommended prerequisites to this online inspection course.
CCPIA’s Inspecting Low-Slope Roofs Course for Commercial Property Inspectors is designed for commercial property inspectors, and students who have a background in home inspection, or property or facilities management, as well as people in the commercial construction trades.