Spring 2016 News

In October, International Leak Detection (ILD) announced a strategic alliance with Progeo Monitoring GmbH in order to market Smartex, a roof leak detection system.  Smartex continuously monitors the integrity of rooftop waterproofing membranes 24 hours a day. If a rupture occurs, the system immediately issues an alert. The system also pinpoints the location of the leak, eliminating the need for a search and allowing for quick repair.

The rooftop monitoring system was developed by Progeo, based in Berlin, Germany.

“Smartex can reduce long-term flat roof maintenance costs by up to 70 percent,” says Andreas Rödel, founder and CEO of Progeo.  Clients can easily access instant, up-to-date information using a PC, tablet or smart phone.

“With the demand for smart buildings, the roofing and waterproofing market has been searching for a system that can truly provide 24-hour, on-demand access to their roofing and waterproofing assets,” says Chris Eichhorn, president and CEO of ILD. “Smartex is the system we’ve been waiting for.”

Levi’s Stadium, in Santa Clara, Calif., was the site of the biggest event in sports last January, hosting the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.   It’s less well known that the stadium, which is the home field for the San Francisco 49ers, was built with a number of green features, including solar panels and a planted green roof.  The facility was certified LEED-Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Covering 27,000 sq. ft. and built with the Garden Roof Assembly from American Hydrotech, the  green roof contains 16 species of vegetation native to the Bay area.  Many of the plants are edible, and will be used by the concessionaires as part of a local-farm-to-table program.  The walkways between the plants are covered with  a canopy framework supporting 1,186 solar panels generating 375 kW—as much energy as the facility will consume on game days.

Even more remarkable, the Solar Terrace and Green Roof is accessible, and can even be reserved for receptions and ceremonies.

“It was a vision of ours to be sustainable,” Al Guido, San Francisco 49ers’ chief operating officer, told Sports Illustrated earlier this year.  The natural turf field is irrigated with stormwater runoff, and LED lighting is used wherever possible, even during construction.  Other NFL teams building new facilities, including the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons, are designed with similar sustainable features.

In 2016, W.R. Meadows, Inc. is celebrating 90 years of business.  The company, founded in 1926 by W. R. “Bob” Meadows and his wife to market an asphalt expansion joint they developed, has grown to become a leading manufacturer and marketer of waterproofing and other building materials.

In addition to the expansion joint, which is still sold worldwide, the company is also well-known for vapor seals, joint sealants, curing and sealing products, and more.

Hudson Yards, on the western side of Manhattan Island in New York City, is set to be the largest private development in U.S. history.  The $20 billion, mixed-use development will create more than 23,000 construction jobs, and when finished will feature 17 million square feet of commercial and residential space.

To ensure the roof membranes on a project of this size remain waterproof, the project will combine high and low voltage electronic leak detection (ELD).

“We’re excited to be selected to perform ELD Fusion testing for Hudson Yards”, says Peter Brooks, president of IR Analyzers/Vector Mapping. “This is an unprecedented project.”

He continues, “ELD Fusion testing ensures more thorough coverage and the most accurate test results by incorporating high voltage ELD testing on vertical surfaces with traditional low voltage vector mapping in horizontal areas. Combining these technologies produces the most comprehensive test methodology available.”

Hudson Yards is projected to draw 65,000 visitors a day. It is the largest private development in American history and will features five skyscrapers with office space, more than 100 shops and restaurants, a 200-room luxury hotel, about 5,000 residences, a 750-seat public school, and 14 acres of parks and open space.

Two new AIA-accredited courses covering air infiltration are available, thanks to W.R. Meadows, which developed the material.   The first is a 60-minute class titled “Detailing Air Barriers,” and focuses on specific techniques for installing the different types of air barrier materials. The other, titled “Controlling Air Leakage and Moisture Movement: The Complete Approach,” is also one hour long, and focuses on the need for proper air, vapor, and moisture barriers.  Both classes are registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education, and are HSW-approved.

“As demand for high performance buildings continues to increase, it is important to understand proper building envelope design and overall wall system performance,” says Russ Snow, building science specialist at Meadows.

Speaking of the air barrier course, Snow says, “Most architects understand the whys, [but] they may not be clear on the installation details. We hope that this presentation provides knowledge on how they are installed, the detailing associated with a successful installation, and how to address the issues that can arise during construction.” This class covers tricky details, including rough openings, roof-to-walls, and joints between different building materials.

In January, the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) released an annual report highlighting the association’s accomplishments in the previous year. The report is available on the RCMA website, www.roofcoatings.org.

One major event was RCMA’s successful merger with the Reflective Roof Coatings Institute (RRCI). The merger resulted in the launch of the RCMA speakers bureau program, redesign of the RCMA website, and revision of the “Reflective Roof Coatings and LEED” white paper.

MFM Building Products has published their 2016 Weatherproofing & Sealing Systems brochure which outlines the company’s full complement of exterior, self-adhering waterproofing products.

The eight-page brochure highlights each of MFM’s product categories—which include roofing membranes, roofing underlayments, window tapes and flashing, waterproofing membranes, and construction tapes—with a color photograph of the product roll and and description of its properties and applications. The brochure back cover has a product comparison chart which details each product’s roll width and length, color availability, thickness, application temperature range and warranty information.

Tony Reis, MFM sales and marketing director, says,  “Our product line has grown to nearly thirty individual brands —each one tailored for a specific roofing or building application. This brochure allows our customers to see the full product line and make a more informed decision on the right product for the job.”

To request a copy, visit the company’s website at www.mfmbp.com.

The Basement Health Association has elected a new president and executive committee.  The new BHA president is John Bryant the owner of AquaGuard Waterproofing Corporation, Beltsville, Md. He has more than 25 years of foundation repair and moisture detection experience and has trained hundreds of inspectors on causes and solutions of basement water problems.

He has served on the BHA board of directors for nine years. He is a certified waterproofing specialist and certified egress specialist through BHA.

The new vice president is Andre Lacroix, EZ Breathe Healthy Home Solutions, LLC, Macedonia, Ohio. Jason Weinstein, will continue serving as the BHA secretary/treasurer.