by Linda May
Linda May
As a Certified Insurance Counselor with over 25 years in the P&C insurance industry I immediately saw the value of this much needed product on many levels. It simply helps reduce the risk of property and casualty losses resulting from the damage a building can ensue from even just one frozen over clogged drain.
Just locating the drains can in itself be an inherently hazardous task, especially after a storm when they are buried beneath the snow and ice. We’ve all witnessed winters where roof collapse becomes a threat, but it can take just one plastic sandwich bag from a school lunch to find its way to a school’s roof drain and wreak havoc. Maintaining proper drainage on the roof should go hand in hand with any other regular risk managing.
We were truly excited when our efforts to bring awareness to roof drain maintenance was further endorsed by various sources. Jim Koontz, RRC, PE of Jim D. Koontz & Assoc. did a first time study of the effects of debris on the flow rates of roof drains and scuppers and shared his findings at the RCI 25th International Convention.
His findings are compelling and can be read first hand on the web at http://www.rci-online.org/interface/2010CTS-Proceedings-koontz.pdf In his conclusion he states that periodic debris removal is necessary for proper roof drain and scupper performance, and that new “green” roof assemblies most likely will require increased debris removal to assure proper drainage. Another in depth look at roof drainage is an article “Roof Drainage Not my problem…Maybe” put out by California Polytechnic professor and structural engineer John Lawson. He presented his findings at the SEAOC 2012 Convention and they can be viewed at http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1069&context=aen_fac
He states in his closing remarks that while the culprit of collapse to lightweight low-sloped roof structures appear to be an inadequate or clogged drainage system; the structural engineer can be pulled into the lawsuit simply to find more money to settle the damage claims.
Many architects and engineers have been specifying roof drain flags, especially in the reroofing of the schools that the state of Mass. has offered incentives for. I think it is only fitting that when one designs a roof to drain properly, they expect the building owner to keep up with the housekeeping of the drains to ensure they function as they were intended to.
Slam Collaborative, an architectural firm in Boston who oversaw the plans for the reroofing of the four schools in Pembroke, Mass. was sure to include roof drain flags in the job scope. Quite often it is the town’s residents that are helping fund these projects. It’s good to know the town will be doing all it can to sustain the life of its schools roofs.
Maintenance Solutions created a reference manual for property managers, owners, architects, and specifiers. It is an extremely detailed financial explanation of “How roof maintenance saves valuable dollars.” It is sponsored by many national roofing associations and engineers. One of the sponsors posted it on its web site at http://www.naroofing.com/media/literature/gaf%20prev%20maintenance%20pdf.pdf
With today’s building environment being so focused on sustainability, shouldn’t we truly do everything within our power to encourage the integrity and sustainability of our flat roofs with proper maintenance? Imagine the impact it could have in the reduction of property damage, as well as law suits due to injuries.
“See an accident before it happens.” You don’t have to be a large corporation to make good risk management decisions. Some investments just make sense, we’re one of them. When coupled with a proper roof maintenance plan one can extend the life of a roof by as much as 50%.
Linda May is the chief executive manager of Roof Drain Marker Co. LLC of West Bridgewater, Mass.
