Presentation by Simon Wroe, BBA at the Single Ply Roofing Association Conference 2019 at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire. More information:https://spra.co.uk/events/spra-awards-2019-live-blog/

1. Simon Wroe
Head of Key Accounts
13 June 2019
Testing, Testing and Certification
(and the Durability of Roof Waterproofing
Membranes)
1
5th Annual SPRA Conference

2. Who are the BBA and what do we do?
2
The British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established in 1966 primarily to determine the
performance of innovative construction products via independent testing, assessment and
certification.
In 53 years the BBA has issued 5665 Agrément Certificates in the Construction sector and
290 HAPAS Certificates in the Highways sector.
Currently approximately 1200 Certificates and 2400 Product Sheets are valid.
The BBA brand and logo are recognised by specifiers, designers, insurance companies, and
building control inspectors throughout the UK.
RCI – Dr Mike Wiseman CPD - © British Board of Agrément. All Rights reserved Strictly Confidential

3. COURAGE – To
challenge and
change
INTEGRITY – To act
without fear or
favour to be fair and
true
QUALITY – What
we do, we do well
LOYALTY - To our
values
COLLABORATION
– To realise potential
PASSION – About
doing well by our
clients
ACCOUNTABILITY
– Each of us
responsible for
making the
difference that
matters
Our Values
3
BBA VALUES

4. Our Stakeholders and Responsibilities
4
Our Clients Specifiers and
Users
BBA
Certification
Government
and Local
Authorities Provides specific criteria via dedicated
test and assessment programmes with
Certificates providing ongoing
reassurance of performance and quality to
the construction industry and public
Rely on the BBA to provide impartial and
expert advice in relation to new policies
and standards
Rely on the BBA brand to:
• Facilitate sales
• Gain access to a market opportunity
or
• Independent confirmation that
products meet minimum performance
requirements
Use BBA Certification:
• as a requirement for tenders and
selection
• to meet Building Regulations.

5. Product Approval and Certification
5
Product Approval & Certification (PAC) is the BBA’s core business
unit for Agrément Certification and European Technical
Assessments (ETAs).
PAC comprise technical teams within the Engineering and
Construction Product Departments with dedicated technical
support provided by the BBA Technical Excellence Directorate.
In addition PAC also provides services for
• Thermal modelling
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Object Assurance
• Microgeneration Certification (MCS)
BBA certification is UKAS accredited and widely recognised
across the construction and highways industries.
RCI – Dr Mike Wiseman CPD - © British Board of Agrément. All Rights reserved Strictly Confidential

6. Audit and Inspection
6
Our Audit and Inspection unit comprises three areas:
• Construction focuses on installations and installers
through inspections at various stages.
• Management Systems supports businesses through
product quality manufacturing assessment and ISO 9001,
14001 and 18001 services.
• Post-Certificate on-site inspections, evaluations and
assessments to ensure certified products continue to
comply with quality and safety standards.
BBA Audit and Inspection maintain high standards of quality
and safety.

7. Test Services
7
Testing has been a key part of Agrément Certification
for over 50 years. Our UKAS accredited Testing
Facilities cover over 40 different products areas
within the construction and highways industries.

8. Definition of Roofing Membranes
8
Roofing Membranes provide a waterproofing layer either singularly or as part of a
multi-layered system to protect the interior of structures from water damage.
Roof Waterproofing Membranes are most commonly made from:
• Modified bitumen sheets
• Polymeric thermoplastic sheets (e.g PVC, TPO)
• Synthetic rubber and liquid-applied membranes (e.g polyurethanes).

9. Assessment of Durability of Roofing Membranes - Criteria
9
An Assessment Programme is defined according to the performance requirements of the
membrane type or to verify the claims of the Applicant/manufacturer:
What is the durability expectation of the membrane?
Will the membrane be used in exposed or protected
specifications in service?
Which climatic regions and conditions will the membrane
perform in?
What is the limit of slope in specifications?

10. Assessment of Durability of Roofing Membranes
10
How are durability
statements formed?
1. Following a thorough assessment programme of
defined laboratory tests including accelerated ageing/
weathering conditioning
2. Assessments of the condition of aged roofing
membranes on site
3. Assessments of aged roofing membranes after
further accelerated ageing/ weathering conditioning
and testing
4. Assessment of maintenance schemes
5. BBA experience and knowledge of roofing material
performance

11. Testing Programme
11
The current maximum durability
offered to any new roofing
membrane, successfully
passing an accelerated
weathering assessment
programme, is 30 years. Lower
durability claims can be tested
but typically not less than 10
years.
The highest exposed durability
statement is currently, in
excess of 40 years
Fully Protected systems can be
given a durability statement for
the design life of a building
(defined by BBA to be 60 years)

12. Test Programmes
12
The test programme used to assess roofing membrane
performance is dependent on the type of roofing material:
Bitumen based
membranes – MOAT 64
UEAtc Technical guide for
the assessment of roof
waterproofing systems
made of reinforced APP
or SBS polymer modified
bitumen sheets
Polymeric membranes –
MOAT 65,66, 67
Liquid-applied
membranes – European
Technical Approval
Guideline (ETAG) 005
Parts 1 to 8.

13. Testing Claims
13
The longest duration 30 year assessment programme for new materials includes:
• Bond strength including effect of water exposure
• Fatigue resistance (cracking)
• Watertightness including joints
• Low temperature flexibility (cracking)
>300 days UV exposure
240 days heat exposure
210 days water exposure

14. Assessment – Test Data
14
For some tests the
pass/fail criteria
is clear; i.e
whether a
membrane is
resistant to cyclic
fatigue or not?
Other tests require
a judgement i.e
the deterioration in
tensile strength
when comparing
controls to
conditioned
samples.
An opinion of
performance is
reached after
considering all of
test data.

15. Assessment of Durability of Roofing Membranes – BBA Agrément Certificates
15

16. Increased Durability via Assessment of Aged Roofing Installations
16
• Typically, 3 sites of differing locations. Site assessments do not
have to be in the UK, however, climatic conditions are compared
to those of the UK to determine exposure levels (UV/solar heat
gain etc).
• Proof of installation is required (date of installation and product
specification)
• Roofs must be accessible for inspection
• Where required, permission must be granted to take membrane
samples and make good (mechanically fixed only)
• Mechanically fixed roofs have the advantage that samples can
be aged further in the laboratory, to extend durability.
• Bonded membranes are limited to site assessment only.
• Assessments are carried out to assess the condition/deterioration of membranes of existing roofs (20
year old sites).

17. Assessment of Aged Roofing Installations – Levels of durability
17
Bitumen membranes
25 Years The heat ageing criteria as set for category W3 from ETAG 005 with tests as per MOAT
64.
30 years Visits to 3 sites (25 years +) where the membrane is used exposed. The increase in the
age of site requirement reflects the difficulty in taking suitable samples for assessment.
Full inspection carried out.
35 Years Visits to 3 sites of 30 years + where the membrane is used exposed. Full inspection
carried out.
40 Years As for 35 years, as well as, a scheme of annual inspections carried out by the Certificate
holder's representatives.

18. Assessment of Aged Roofing Installations – Levels of durability
18
Liquid-Applied Roof Waterproofing
Up to 30 years Extended laboratory durability testing (UV, heat and water exposure)
30 Years Either 3 site inspections of 25 years + or extended laboratory durability testing (UV,
heat and water exposure)
35 Years 3 site inspections of 30 years +
40 years As for 35 years with a requirement for a formal surveillance/maintenance scheme.
RCI – Dr Mike Wiseman CPD - © British Board of Agrément. All Rights reserved Strictly Confidential

19. Assessment of Aged Roofing Installations – Levels of durability
19
Polymeric membranes
25 Years Heat and UV ageing criteria as set for category W3 from ETAG 005 with tests as per
MOATs 65, 66 or 67.
30 years Visits to 3 sites (20 years plus) where the membrane is used exposed, at least one of the
sites needs to be a mechanically fastened installation so samples can be taken for
testing. Comparison testing is carried out on aged and new samples. The type of testing
is dependent on polymer type.
Newer sites, at least 10 years old can be used but additional accelerated ageing to an
appropriate level is carried out.
35 Years As first paragraph of 30 years with additional accelerated ageing included in the sample
testing.
40 Years As for 35 years, as well as, a scheme of annual inspections carried out by the Certificate
holder's representatives.

20. Mineral loss
Cracking
Tearing
Water
penetration
Lap
condition
Ponded
water/
drainage
Biological
growth
Detailing
Evidence of
repair(s) &
quality of
repair(s)
Site Assessment Criteria
20
Example Assessment
criteria

21. Site Assessment Report
21
• An Assessment Report is written inclusive of:
• evidence of the date of installation
• which membrane/ system was installed
• photographic evidence supporting the findings of the Assessment.
• The report is independently assessed by a BBA Project Manager and verified by
the Technical Expert for Roof Waterproofing.
• An opinion of the performance and maintenance of the roof membrane is made
and if satisfactory an increase to the existing durability clause.

22. Assessment of Aged Roof samples – Laboratory ageing/ testing
22
• For mechanically fixed roofs, a 3m2 sample is taken from 1 roof site, usually the oldest. The repair of the
sample location is witnessed.
• Depending on the age of the roof membrane and verification of the required durability statement, site
samples may be further aged under laboratory conditions and then subjected to testing.
• Aged site samples are compared to unaged control samples unaged. Tests include:
• low temperature foldability/ flexibility
• tensile strength/ elongation
• impact resistance
• The test results are assessed and an opinion is formed concerning increased durability against loss of
performance over time.

23. Assessment of Aged Roofing Installations + Laboratory Ageing/ Testing
23
An overall opinion of the performance and maintenance of roof
membranes is formed, combining the conclusions of the Site
Assessment Report and Laboratory Test Report.

24. Extension of BBA Certificate Approval
24
Zero fall roofs
Blue roofs (waterproofing only
or full system assessments)
Green roofs/roof gardens
Walkways and balconies
RCI – Dr Mike Wiseman CPD - © British Board of Agrément. All Rights reserved Strictly Confidential
Self-adhesive, bonded, partially
bonded, mechanically fixed
Warm roof systems
Car park decks
Tanking applications

25. 25
Thank you