Fact Sheet:

February 1999 (FL 9)

Military installations, like many Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, have large inventories of buildings with low-slope membrane and steep roofing systems. A major portion of their infrastructure maintenance dollars is being spent to repair and replace these roofs. The facility managers need systematic procedures to evaluate the roofs, select repair strategies, determine priorities, and identify long-range program requirements that will ensure maximum return-on-investments.

The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (CERL) has developed a Roofing Engineered Management System (EMS) -- ROOFER. Military installations, as well as other governmental agencies and private building owners, can use this practical decision-making tool to help identify cost-effective strategies for repair and replacement of their low-slope roofs. ROOFER includes procedures for collecting inventory and inspection information, evaluating roof condition, identifying repair/replacement strategies, prioritizing projects, and developing work plans.

Micro ROOFER, a microcomputer application that runs in Windows 3.11, Windows NT, or Windows 95 environment, provides data storage and analysis and generates management reports.

ROOFER uses a standard condition index, the Roof Condition Index (RCI), which is derived from indexes for the membrane (MCI), flashing (FCI), and insulation (ICI) components of a roofing system. A roof’s condition is determined by observed distresses through visual inspection and nondestructive moisture surveys for insulated roofs. The indexes provide an objective, consistent measure of roof condition, repairs needed, and waterproof integrity.

ROOFER enables building managers to rate their present roof condition, prioritize projects, and optimally allocate the budget. At the project level, ROOFER can help select repair and replacement strategies and identify work requirements. In the long term, this technology results in maximized roof conditions using available funds.

ROOFER’s benefits include:

• Inventory of roofing assets
• Development of detailed roof plan drawings
• Detection of roof defects using (1) visual inspection to identify membrane and flashing problems and (2) aerial infrared scans to locate areas of wet roof insulation
• Development of (1) condition indexes for flashings, membrane, insulation, and overall roof condition, (2) network analysis reports to summarize the findings and development of a 10-year budget program, (3) project analysis evaluation to determine if it is more cost-effective to do the repairs or replace the entire roof, and (4) work requests to document the recommended action.

CERL developed the ROOFER system for bituminous built-up membrane and single-ply membrane roof capabilities. The Micro ROOFER software has undergone continual enhancements. These include a pen-based "electronic clipboard" application which eliminates the need for paper inspection worksheets and provide direct downloading of data into Micro ROOFER data bases. CERL is currently developing a ROOFER condition evaluation procedure for asphalt shingle roofing systems. An Asphalt Shingle Inspection and Distress Manual and updated version of the Micro ROOFER software will be released at the end of 1999.

Micro ROOFER and associated technical reports are available through the ROOFER Technical Assistance Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Conferences and Institutes. The Technical Assistance Center has established fees for program distribution and technical support.

In addition, CERL can assist military users in training personnel to use ROOFER and in developing the installation data base and summary reports.

CERL POC is David M. Bailey, COMM 217-352-6511, ext. 7480; toll-free 800-USA-CERL; e-mail d-bailey@cecer.army.mil; or CERL, ATTN: CECER-FL-M, P.O. Box 9005, Champaign, IL 61826-9005.

ROOFER Technicial Assistance Center POC is Lynn Brownfield, COMM 217-333-5414; Conferences and Institutes, Suite 202, University Inn, 302 East John Street, Champaign, IL 61820-5612.

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Last Modified: February 17, 1999
By: Dana Finney