2. 2 3
Market Leadership News
Stormwater management is a growing issue, and if tax incentives are waning
due to pressures on government budgets, standards are being reviewed as a
means to encourage green roof construction.
At the federal level, the EPA is proposing new performance standards to better
address stormwater management projects for both new and redeveloped sites
as they are built.The EPA is also evaluating options for a municipal program to
reduce discharges from existing development.The potential impact on developers
and property owners remains to be seen.A proposed rule is due in June with
final action by December 10, 2014.*
Revisions to the voluntary construction standards of LEED are also under
consideration, with ballot voting this summer. Updates include provisions
related to stormwater management and the Heat Island Effect. (See https://new.
usgbc.org/leed/v4).
The LEED rating system may not be the only path to sustainability. Last summer,
some 27 business associations and trade groups formed the American High-
Performance Buildings Coalition (AHPBC) (www.betterbuildingstandards.com)
to support the development of sustainable building standards.The coalition
is advocating a rating system developed in conformance with the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI). It supports certification systems based on
“sound data, scientific methodology and developed using a consensus process.”
As for the federal government, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is
a major proponent of “green roofs” and compiled a major new report in April.
Titled, “The Benefits and Challenges of Green Roofs on Public and Commercial
Buildings,” it includes a literature review of 200 studies, an in-depth analysis of
green roof benefits with an original cost-benefit analysis, as well as a discussion
of challenges and best practices, and an assessment of further research needs.
Green roofs can:
• Reduce the stormwater runoff rate from a roof by up to 65%
• Make roof surfaces 30-40% cooler
• Reduce heat flux from roof to building by up to 72%
Source: GSA
* EPA: Proposed National Rulemaking to Strengthen the Stormwater Program
LEED credits
At the design level, green roofs almost always contribute to Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) credits under the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC) rating system. Since the ultimate value of a green roof depends on
longevity, however, the durability and integrity of the underlying waterproofing
system must be paramount in material selection. New federal buildings and
government reconstruction projects must now conform to GSA requirements for
Gold LEED certification. For newly constructed properties that GSA leases, the
agency has maintained a LEED Silver requirement for new projects over 10,000
square feet.
Solvent-free and “odor-free” Kemperol®
2K-PUR cold, liquid-applied
membrane systems can contribute to the following credits:
LEED Stormwater Design SS Credit 6.1 (1 Point)
LEED Stormwater Design SS Credit 6.2 (1 Point)
LEED Heat Island Effect SS Credit 7.2 (1 Point)
Tax credits
Incentives vary by state and locale. For example, the City of Philadelphia offers a
credit against the Business Privilege Tax of 25% of all costs incurred to construct
a green roof up to $100,000.To qualify, the green roof must cover 50% of the
rooftop. But with many state and local budgets being squeezed, credits are not
widely available and some programs are expiring, including a one-year tax credit
of up to $100,000 that expired in March for New York City.
Such credits recognize the broader, long-term benefits – and savings – these
projects provide.A green roof can cut peak runoff into sewer systems by an
estimated 50-90% while improving the quality of water discharging into rivers.
Property value
While the direct impact on property value is difficult to estimate since every
real-estate market and every property is different, green roofs always contribute
what realtors call “charm.”This can be an important differentiator, especially in a
less than robust market.And adding outdoor living space can be one of the first
enhancements that new owners of commercial properties want to make.
Urban Green Roofs (continued)
Stormwater management
in flux: Performance
standards at issue
While the pace of construction for new commercial
buildings appears uneven, demand remains strong
for cold-liquid applied membrane roofing and
waterproofing systems for restorations and roof
recovery on existing buildings, says Brett Steinberg,
National Sales Manager, Kemper System America, Inc.
Kemper System’s versatile fleece-reinforced membrane
products can address multiple issues across the
building envelope. Kemper System also offers a special
program to help owners and managers of high-value
properties minimize headaches (and associated
complaints) across buildings of varying age, substrates
and waterproofing materials.
With the Kemper System, most structures do not
require removal of existing roofing which can be
disruptive and add to costs. Its liquid-membranes can
cover, recover or restore roofs and balconies, as well
as protect rooftop gardens, walkways, recreational
areas, parking garages, and even building façades. In
addition, white or reflective finishes can help reduce
building energy demands.
Steinberg says the company’s Kemperol®
2K-PUR
two-part polyurethane has seen increasing demand on
existing buildings, in part, because they are solvent-free
and “odor-free.” In contrast, fume-laden products often
irritate building occupants.The company’s odor-free
products can also help avoid off-hour scheduling.
At the Loews Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach,
Florida, Kemper System delivered odor-free solutions
to restore the main roof and to protect a spectrum of
architectural designs throughout the historic landmark
hotel -- from the parking deck ramps to the luxurious
setback terraces.
Beyond commercial offices, hotels and condos, Kemper
System can solve difficult restoration problems for
public buildings and sports venues.At Fenway Park in
Boston, for example, Kemperol®
2K-PUR waterproofs
grandstand areas where a damp-proof coating
had resulted in spalling cement.The waterproofing
membrane was applied to primed surface following
comprehensive concrete restoration and topped with
Kemperdur®
traction-resistant coatings and aggregate
blends for stairways.
Liquid membranes
address many
issues for existing
structures
Three blocks from downtown Palo Alto, the Channing
House offers active independent seniors easy access to the
best the San Francisco Bay area has to offer – and stunning
views. Superior waterproofing and a walkable, skid-resistant
surface was the goal for restoring the main roof and
balconies. Allana, Buick & Bers of Mountain View, CA,
created a durable and attractive solution, specifying the
fleece-reinforced Kemperol®
2K-PUR liquid-resin membrane
system with an aesthetic quartz surface. Installed by D.C.
Taylor Co., the system is solvent-free and “odor-free” –
an important application consideration for the life-care
retirement community.
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Loews Don CeSar Hotel, St. Pete Beach, FL
3. 4 5
Project Profile
with approximately 6 inches of growing medium. “We used several palettes with
flowers that bloom across seasons, including native cultivars.The effect, woven
together provides some textural relief across the landscape design,” Booher said.
Most planted areas are just 4-6 inches deep and include grasses and perennials,
with a few deeper wells positioned over structural supports. On the south side of the
building, there is an extensive planting of sedum in 4-inch planters that drink in the
sunshine.The green roof is irrigated from below with a combination of Netafim drip
lines and capillary fabric, and any excess rainwater not absorbed by the plantings
and overburden filters to drainage mats and is channeled to the existing building
drains.
Weighty issues
Urban renovation projects are not always designed to handle the weight of intensive
green roofs. Designers may be able to add structural support as with 850 Third
– and/or shift to a less intensive green roof or more extensive green system with
shallower plantings.That means lower plant height and a more limited palette of
foliage.
Intensive green roofs (18 in. - 4 ft. deep) typically support 80-150 lbs. per sq. ft.
Semi-intensive green roofs (6 in. - 2 ft. deep) typically support 30-60 lbs. per sq. ft.
Extensive green roofs (2-6 in. deep) typically support 10-25 10-25 lbs. per sq. ft.
As a rule of thumb, if there is an existing paver system, then the roof should be able
to support the weight of an extensive green roof. However, a landscape architect
and structural engineer must always collaborate to calculate roof load limits to
ensure the new green roof design will remain within the load range, even under the
additional water weight of adverse weather. (Kemper System can supply details on
the weight of any of its standard membrane assemblies.)
In urban reconstruction projects, extensive rather than intensive green roofs are
the norm, although marquee buildings and newer buildings are often engineered
to handle extra loads and exceptional contingencies. Regardless of the depth of
overburden, the reinforced liquid membrane from Kemper System is designed for
root and rot resistance and extended service life. Because the time and cost of
unscheduled repairs increases with the depth of plantings, Kemper System is often
the preferred choice on intensive and semi-intensive green roofs and wherever peace
of mind is paramount.
For 850 Third, “Kemper became the preferred waterproofing system because the
warranty structure allowed the most design flexibility with the overburden and did
not require a proprietary green roof system,” Booher said. “Because of this, we
were able to create a custom green roof system with NY Green Roofs that allowed
us to maximize the garden’s potential while accommodating weight and wind load
restrictions…and save the client some extra money.”
The Kemperol®
BR / V210 reinforced liquid-resin membrane system protects this
green roof on a multi-purpose recreation building at this recently revitalized 25-
acre park along the Harlem River in the Bronx.The green roof helps reduce building
energy costs, and the same product also waterproofs a green roof terrace and a
buried mechanical building.The RBA Group, which specified the system, won a
Platinum Award for Engineering Excellence on the park’s aquatic complex from
ACECNY.Attri Enterprises was the applicator.
The park, which opened in 1973, was renamed for the late slugger-outfielder who
became the first Latino-American inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During
the summer, the park is home to numerous concerts and special events. Facilities
also include an Olympic-size pool complex, ball fields, picnic areas, playgrounds
and a waterfront promenade.
Green roofing helps revitalize
Roberto Clemente State Park
In New York City, if an architect or landscape architect
designs a green roof, they are likely to consider Kemper
System. In the case of 850 Third Avenue in Midtown
Manhattan, an intensive landscape design over high-
end occupied space was the perfect candidate for a
Kemper System waterproofing solution.
The design team met with Brian Kelly of Kemper
System early in the process to review waterproofing
concerns for the retrofit.
The challenge
The goal was to install a green roof terrace above
occupied commercial space to maximize property value
while providing a pleasant enclave for Shorenstein
Properties’ new office headquarters.The approximately
6,500-square-foot living roof area is set back over
occupied space on the 17th floor and overlooks open
spaces at a cancer center next door and a nearby
Courtyard by Marriott.A durable, watertight seal that
could waterproof across the mixed-use, high-end
design and offer an extended service life was essential.
Odor-free application was also a prime consideration
due to proximity of tenants and neighbors.Avoiding
hot kettles on the roof top was also a concern.
The design-to-installation cycle was also shorter than
normal, because the space next to the new terrace
was unoccupied only temporarily until new tenants
were booked to arrive.There were also issues with
the capacity of the roof deck on the initial landscape
design that needed to be overcome.
The solution
The project was designed in the fall and constructed
in the spring of 2011.Urban Tech structural engineers
specified additional structural supports to spread
the load over metal decking, clad with mechanically
fastened cement board to reinforce the existing slab
and achieve a minimum of 45 pounds per square
foot capacity throughout.Additional load capacity
was achieved in specific areas aligning with building
columns.
The design of the waterproofing system was
straightforward with the Kemper System.The “odor-
free” Kemperol®
2K-PUR two-part polyurethane
resin membrane system was specified for monolithic
protection beneath the varied landscape and applied
by DP Consulting Corp.The fleece-reinforced, liquid-
applied membrane fully adheres to the roof deck, up
sloped curbs, and around penetrations and drainage
areas.
The landscape design by Aaron Booher of HM White
Landscape Architects suggests a rolling meadow and
incorporates sweeping walkways, benches, and a mix
of planters, some 18 inches deep, set with witch hazel
and crabapple trees.The undulating meadow effect
is created by strips of insulation board layered and
sculpted to establish a base topography, then covered
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY
“Odor-free” solution provides breath of fresh air in Midtown
Kemper System offers long-term warranties on built-up green roof
assemblies, and is considered the gold standard for green roofing technology in
the U.S. Odor-free membrane systems are ideal for sensitive areas and occupied
buildings.The cold, liquid-applied systems fully adhere to substrates and are self-
flashing and self-sealing for easy installation and edge-to-edge protection.The
monolithic, seamless, rot- and root-resistant membrane provides peace of mind
for expensive landscaped overburdens and can accommodate virtually any roof
landscaping design.
Kemper System offers a single-source warranty for built-up green roof assemblies.
Warranted assemblies include the liquid waterproofing membrane, insulation,
drainage mat, retention mat, filter sheet and growing media.
From GSA definitions
Intensive Green Roof: More than 12 inches thick, with an intensive growth medium
over a discrete drainage layer that can support a variety of vegetation.
Semi-Intensive Green Roof:Typically 6 to 12 inches with a multi-course growth
medium over a discrete drainage layer that can support more diverse vegetation
than multi-course extensive.
Extensive Green Roof (single course):Typically 3 to 4 inches with a coarse medium
over a moisture management layer that can support sedum or other succulents
(eco roofs).
The gold standard in green
roof assemblies
LANDSCAPED GREEN ASSEMBLY
Built-Up System
Structural Deck
Filter Sheet
Growing Media
Plant Community
Retention Mat
Drain Mat
XEPS Insulation
Kemperol 2K-PUR FR/165
Kempertec Primer Approved for Substrate
Landscaped green roof assemblies include both built-up systems and eco-roof tray
systems.
Eco-roofs incorporate drainage, filtration, retention and irrigation within one
component.
LANDSCAPED GREEN ASSEMBLY
Tray System
Structural Deck
Growing Media
Plant Community
Retention Tray
Kemperol 2K-PUR FR/165
Kempertec Primer Approved for Substrate
4. Market Leadership
6 7
The potential energy savings on “white” reflective roofs is highest on low-rise
buildings, particularly those in warmer and drier climate zones with the highest
doses of sunshine.They are a popular choice for new roofs and recovery projects on
schools, medical facilities and government buildings.
But they can also make a substantial impact on reducing energy demands on the top
floors of high-rise offices and condos, where space typically commands a premium,
and tenants can be most demanding.And they can keep the entire building envelope
cooler when also applied as a top coat to façades.
While there are some federal tax incentives available for qualifying commercial
structures completed through the end of 2013,* “white” roofs can quickly pay for
themselves in energy savings. Specially formulated, high-quality “cool” roof coatings
can reflect on the order of 70-75% of incident solar energy, greatly reducing the
demand on air handling systems inside during the cooling season. In most cases,
this seasonal saving far outweighs the energy offset due to solar reflectance in the
winter.
Value of sustainability
But the highest value of a cool roof for future-minded property owners and
architects is sustainability.While the dollar value of energy savings on any single
building can be significant to owners, the positive impact of sustainability on a
national scale can be staggering. Researchers at the Lawrence National Laboratory
calculate that retrofitting 80% of the 2.58 billion sq. meters of conditioned roof on
commercial buildings in the U.S. would yield an annual energy saving of a cool 10.4
terawatt hours – for an annual savings of $735 million. (A terawatt is 1012 watts or
a million megawatts.)
The potential impact on air quality and greenhouse gases is also impressive.
Nationally, it would reduce CO2 emissions by 6.23 metric tons annually, equivalent
to the emissions of 1.2 million cars. It would cut annual NOx emissions by almost 10
kilotons, offsetting annual NOx emissions of 570,000 cars; and reduce annual SO2
emissions by more than 25 kilotons, offsetting annual SO2 emissions of 815 peak
power plants. (1)
(1)
Levinson, Ronnen and Hashem Akbari. “Potential benefits of cool roofs on
commercial buildings: conserving energy, saving money, and reducing emission of
greenhouse gases and air pollutants.” Energy Efficiency. Vol. 3, Issue 1, pp 53-109,
March 1, 2010.
For a finished look, broadcast sand or
brush aggregate from surrounding
area into the patch while still wet.
DOE-Developed Climate Zone Map - Reflective coatings are highly valued in warmer
and drier zones and on buildings with little or no shade.
Six colors that keep buildings cooler
Kemper System offers six reflective roof colors in either the Kemperdur®
2KS-FR, an
aliphatic polyurethane coating system, or the Kemperdur® BSF-R a no-odor, single
component, water-based acrylic. Both coating systems are fire-rated, and selection is
based on compatibility with the Kemper System membrane resin system.
“Cool” definitions to reflect upon
Reflectivity: Percent of incident solar energy reflected by the surface of a material.
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI): The ability of a material to reject solar heat as
shown by a rise in temperature. SRI takes heat transfer effects into account. (See
infrared emittance below). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest
for roofing. Standard white = 100, and standard black = 0. Due to the way SRI is
defined, some materials can exceed those limits.
Infrared Emittance: The ability of a warm or hot material to shed heat in the form
of infrared radiation. Glass and most other building materials (except clean metals)
are opaque in the infrared, and exhibit an emittance of about 0.9.A “black body”
with an emittance rating of 1 emits about 6.1 watts per square meter, for each ºC
above ambient temperature.
Source: U.S. Energy Department, Environmental Energy Division: http://energy.lbl.
gov/coolroof/ref_01.htm
* Commercial tax deductions – A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is
available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE
Standard 90.1-2001. Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot are available for measures affecting any one of three building systems: Building envelope
(10% energy savings), lighting (20%), or heating and cooling systems (20%). To be eligible,building energy cost-savings must be certified by a licensed engineer or
contractor, and systems must be “placed in service” before December 31, 2013.
“Cool” roof colors can coordinate with other elements such as roof walkways or
building facades, and may be applied to facades on compatible substrates.
A six-page color selection guide that details topcoat
options for Kemper System waterproofing, roofing and
surfacing liquid-membrane products is now available
for building owners, architects and construction
specifiers.
The brochure includes Kemperdur®
color aggregate
blends for traction surfacing, safety and traffic colors,
decorative finishes and reflective roof colors.A
spectrum of colors are available to meet any design
specification, whether matching an existing
New color selection guide details
coating options
or historically accurate color palette or fulfilling a
vision of tomorrow for today’s architects.
Roof coatings can define walkways, traffic crossings,
tennis courts and recreation areas, and can also be
applied to façades in matching or coordinating colors
– or be used to accent fountains and water retention
systems. Combined with quartz aggregate blends,
they provide a traction-surface for pedestrian
walkways, balconies and terraces.
Kemper System America has named Jeff Younger
as Account Executive for the Southeast region,
serving architects, construction specifiers and
building owners across North Carolina, South
Carolina and Georgia.As part of the team, he
offers workshops and AIA-credited Lunch-and-
Learns.
Based in Murrells Inlet, S.C.,Younger offers
25 years of experience in the roofing and
waterproofing business, including 15 years
with the Kemper System. He was previously an
independent representative based in the mid-
Atlantic region.“Jeff is extremely knowledgeable
and a born problem solver,” said Southeast
Regional Manager Brian McGuire.
Kemper System expands
Southeast account team
Emergency roof patch stops
leaks fast
Kemperol®
Roofpatch – a ready-to-use patch kit that uses advanced
waterproofing technology to reliably stop leaks and cover cracks and damaged
areas – is now available through select distributors of building products. It is
ideal for building and roofing contractors, building owners and property
managers who often need emergency repairs.
Manufactured by Kemper System, the kit comes in
a flat aluminum pouch that includes rubber
gloves and a reinforcement fleece pre-saturated
in a single-component, solvent-free and odor-free
Kemperol®
1K-SF waterproofing resin.The
reinforced membrane is pre-cut to approximately
10” x 18” (27 x 41 cm) so a single patch can
handle most repairs. Patches can also
be overlapped to cover larger areas.
The multi-purpose patch adheres
tightly without a primer to bitumen
sheets, PVC roofing sheets, concrete,
wood, and metal.The resin is rain-
fast in 60 minutes and can be walked
on after 12 hours.
Contact us
roofpatch@kempersystem.com
for a distributor near you, or
visit our product website at
www.kemperol-roofpatch.com.
call toll-free 1-800-541-5455.
Look for this display in home centers
and building-supply retailers.
Cool ‘white’ roofs reflect heat
– and need for sustainability
KSA banner flies high at trade shows
RCI Award: RCI Inc. recognized Kemper System America for their support at the
28th RCI International Convention in Orlando. Pictured above (l to r) Rick Cook,
Tom Gernetzke, Lorenzo Fernandez, Brian McGuire, Chip Ward, Brian Kelly,
Jean-Guy Levaque, and Sidney Hankins.
BuildingsNY: National Project Design and Specification Manager Brian Kelly and
Technical Field Representative Majiec “Magic” Choromanski demonstrate the new
Kemperol®
Roofpatch as building owners, property managers and consultants
look on. Behind the scenes, Managing Director Richard Doornink briefed editors
from Engineering News Record and the New York Real Estate Journal. Anne
Hinsman of Walter B. Melvin Architects and David Golab of Superstructures
Engineers + Architect both won Starbucks gift cards in our cocktail hour drawing.
What’s Next
Look for Kemper System at these industry events:
• AIA Convention, June 20-22, Denver • Construct Canada, Dec. 4-6, Toronto
• ABX / Architecture Boston, Nov. 20-22 , Boston • Honblue Pacific Building Trade Expo, Nov. 13, Honolulu
