ASTM Committee E60: Leading the
Recent
activity
in
ASTM
on green roofs and evaluating perfor-
Way in Sustainability Standards
Subcommittee E60.01 has been
mance prior to implementation.
Formed in 2008, ASTM International
aimed at a dynamic and growing
Selection of plant material is also
Committee E60 on Sustainability is a
aspect of sustainable building
crucial for the success of a green roof
significant contributor of technically
construction: green roofs. The devel-
system since a rooftop is an extreme
sound, market-relevant standards
opment and installation of sustainable
environment with strong and variable
addressing the fields of sustainability
roofing systems is increasing on a
wind patterns and little or no protection
and sustainable development.
wide range of buildings, from industrial
from the sun's heat and ultraviolet radi-
Standards for the built environment
facilities to private residences. A
ation. E2400 on the selection, installa-
are developed by Subcommittee
green roof, or rooftop garden, is a
tion and maintenance of plants for
E60.01
on
Buildings
and
vegetative layer grown on a rooftop.
green roof systems lends a valuable
Construction, which has a portfolio of
Green roofs provide shade and
assist in this area, offering recommen-
15 specifications, test methods and
remove heat from the air, reducing
dations for choosing, planting and irri-
guides. E60.01's earliest efforts
temperatures of the roof surface and
gating plants grown on vegetative
focused on bringing greater clarity and
the surrounding air; reduce air pollu-
grown roofs.
establishing common language on
tion and greenhouse gas emissions;
E60.01 standards have helped bring
sustainability relative to the perfor-
enhance stormwater management
down early adopter costs, spurring the
mance of buildings. This work led to
and water quality; and improve the
implementation of green roofs in the
the release of one of the committee's
aesthetics of both office buildings and
United States and abroad. The
first standards ­ E2114 on terminol-
homes.
committee is further building on its
ogy for sustainability, which promotes
Vegetative green roof designs fall into
efforts with a proposed comprehen-
more effective communications
two general categories: those with
sive guide on green roof systems that
among industry stakeholders. Similar
sedums or drought-tolerant plants for
is currently under development. When
utility is offered in E2432 on general
extensive vegetative green roofs and
approved, the new E60.01 standard
principles of sustainability, which
complete landscape gardens for
will offer architects and other stake-
defines three general sustainability
intensive vegetative green roofs. In
holders a complete approach to the
principles
--
environmental,
either approach, green roofs help fulfill
design, planning and implementation
economic and social -- and identifies
core goals of sustainable construc-
of vegetative green roofs. It will also
the core methodologies associated
tion.
help practitioners identify the charac-
with the decision making process
The implementation of green roof
teristics and concepts of green roof
used in pursuing sustainability.
systems involves a broad array of
systems consistent with the core
Another
important
focus
f or
design, material selection, installation
sustainability principles outlined in
Subcommittee E60.01 pertains to the
and maintenance considerations.
ASTM E2432.
selection of building products for
ASTM E60.01 has taken the lead in
Green roofing systems are also an
sustainable construction. To further
meeting the market's need for
important component of the standards
assist stakeholders involved in these
substantive guidance in green roof
writing agenda of ASTM International
activities, E60.01 provides E2129 on
systems, developing six standards
Committee D08 on Roofing and
assessing the sustainability of building
covering considerations such as
Waterproofing. Through the efforts of
products. This valuable practice
structural design, water permeability,
Subcommittee
D08.24
on
covers a set of instructions for collect-
system performance, irrigation
Sustainability, six new standards for
ing data to be used in evaluating the
requirements, plant and related mate-
various aspects of sustainable roofing
sustainability of building products for
rial selection, and other requirements.
systems are currently under develop-
use in both commercial and residential
Among these standards is E2399 on
ment. This work includes two new
buildings.
green roof systems, which provides
guides focusing on vegetative green
Advancing Innovation in Green
designers with an objective test
roof design and materials selection.
Roofing Systems
method for replicating field conditions
18
Issue 72 March 2014
2014
72

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