MINIMISE THE BURDEN ON THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Use products made from raw materials whose extraction is least damaging to the environment.

2. Adopt systems and working practices that minimise wastage.

3. Avoid products that result in hazardous waste.

4. Recognise regional climatic and geographical factors.

5. Where logical, use products that could be reused or recycled.

6. Promote the use of 'green roofs' supporting vegetation, especially on city centre roofs.

7. Consider roof designs that ease the sorting and salvage of materials at the end of the life of the roof.

CONSERVE ENERGY

8. Optimise the real thermal performance, recognising that thermal insulation can greatly reduce heating or cooling costs over the lifetime of a building.

9. Keep insulation dry, to maintain thermal performance and durability of the roof.

10. Use local labour, materials and services wherever practical to reduce transportation.

11. Recognise that embodied energy values are a useful measure for comparing alternative constructions.

12. Consider the roof surface colour and texture with regard to climate and the affect on energy and roof system performance.

EXTEND ROOF LIFESPAN

13. Employ designers, suppliers, contractors, tradespeople and facility managers who are adequately trained and have appropriate skills.

14. Adopt a responsible approach to design, recognising the value of the robust and durable roof.

15. Recognise the importance of a properly supported structure.

16. Provide effective drainage to avoid ponding.

17. Minimise the number of penetrations through the roof.

18. Ensure that high maintenance items are accessible for repair or replacement.

19. Monitor roofing works in progress and take corrective action as necessary.

20. Control access onto completed roofs to reduce puncture and other damage, providing defined walkways and temporary protection.

21. Adopt preventative maintenance, with periodic inspections and timely repairs.

NOTES
i. These tenets are applicable to membrane roofing systems on permanent buildings.

ii. As our understanding develops of how roofs perform and how they affect the global environment, then the tenets will also evolve. This version is dated October 2000.

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