A proposed new ASTM International standard, WK14283, Guide for Green Roof Systems, will identify terminology, principles and concepts related to the construction of vegetated green roof systems. The proposed standard is being developed by Subcommittee E06.71 on Sustainability, part of ASTM International Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings.
“We are trying to develop a suite of relevant standards that industry professionals, manufacturers, government agencies and municipalities can use to understand the fundamentals and performance of green roof systems,” says Michael F. Gibbons, FCSI, president, Architectural Systems, Inc., and E06.71 member.
While a proposed Practice for Assessment of Green Roofs (WK575) is in the works, it is a long-range project, so the subcommittee also decided to develop WK14283 as an initial guide that would serve as a significant source of information on the fundamental aspects and performance considerations of a green roof system.
Mr. Gibbons says that there will be many applications for WK14283. “Architects and landscape architects, as well as owners, contractors and code officials, will have some common reference points for their work,” Mr. Gibbons notes.
The following standards relating to green roofs have already been developed by Subcommittee E06.71 and are approved:
• E 2396, Test Method for Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media [Falling-Head Method] for Green Roof Systems;
• E 2397, Practice for Determination of Dead Loads and Live Loads Associated with Green Roof Systems;
• E 2398, Test Method for Water Capture and Media Retention of Geocomposite Drain Layers for Green Roof Systems;
• E 2399, Test Method for Maximum Media Density for Dead Load Analysis of Green Roof Systems; and
• E 2400, Guide for Selection, Installation and Maintenance of Plants for Green Roof Systems.
For further technical information, contact Michael F. Gibbons, FCSI, Architectural Systems, Inc., Dallas, Texas (phone: 800/442-4554; archsys1@aol.com). Committee E06 meets Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at the October Committee Week in Tampa, Fla. For membership or meeting information, contact Stephen Mawn, manager, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9726; smawn@astm.org).
Release #7702