Roofing & Waterproofing Forensics for the 21 st Century. Peter Brooks, President

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1 Roofing & Waterproofing Forensics for the 21 st Century Peter Brooks, President March 20, 2013 ICRI Spring Convention

2 Selecting the Appropriate Non-Destructive Testing Technology What is the Goal?

3 Methodologies: 1. Infrared & Nuclear Moisture Scans Locate and document extent of wet materials (insulation) in the system. Can help locate leaks, but is not designed or intended for that purpose. Should not be represented as a leak locating service. 2. Electronic Leak Detection Pinpoints breaches (holes) in roofing and waterproofing membranes. Finds leaks - does not define the actual location and extent of moisture damage.

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5 Nuclear Roof Moisture Gauge

6 Infrared & Nuclear Moisture Scans - Typical Applications: 1. Testing an existing roof system to pinpoint locations and extent of moisture damage for removal, before re-roofing materials or coatings are applied. 2. Condition Assessment Provides excellent information about the true condition of the system for prioritizing multiple roofs, and budgeting.

7 3. Maintenance Pinpoints problem areas for more accurate, cost-effective repairs. 4. Quality Assurance Testing Unbiased, costeffective tool for evaluating the condition of newly installed roofing materials. 5. Dispute Resolution Science-based, objective approach establishes and documents the true condition of the system. Data based evaluation - not judgment or opinion based.

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9 High & Low Voltage Electronic Leak Detection - Typical Applications: 1. Integrity testing of roofing and waterproofing membranes. 2. Inspections to locate, document, and repair holes caused by construction activity.

10 3. Pinpointing leaks on waterproofing membranes with overburden. 4. Pinpointing leaks in traditional insulated roofing systems breaches can be quickly located, repaired and retested. 5. Dispute Resolution Science-based, objective approach establishes and documents the true condition of the system. Data based evaluationnot judgment or opinion based.

11 Electronic Leak Detection

12 A Better Way to Find Leaks First developed in Europe, Electronic Leak Detection is rapidly redefining the process of finding leaks in commercial roofing and waterproofing systems. Electronic Leak Detection uses a procedure known as Vector Mapping to pinpoint membrane breaches by tracing the flow of an electric current across the membrane surface.

13 Electronic Leak Detection How Does It Work? An electrical current is introduced above the membrane, and it will connect to a ground under the membrane only where there are breaches. Two conditions must be met for the testing to be effective.

14 1. The membrane must be nonconductive (high Dielectric Strength). Most roofing and waterproofing membranes have high Dielectric Strengths.

15 Typical non-conductive membranes (relatively high Dielectric Strength) Thermoplastics: PVC Polyvinyl Chloride TPO Thermoplastic Polyolefin CPE Chlorinated Polyethylene Modified Bitumen Built-up Roofing Fluid Applied Rubberized Asphalt

16 2. A ground must be available to receive the electrical current. For example, a structural reinforced concrete deck or steel deck will readily accept the current that passes through a breach.

17 Low Voltage Vector Mapping

18 Low Voltage Vector Mapping

19 Low voltage vector mapping equipment includes pulse generator, trace wire spool, test probes, mobile detector unit and related accessories.

20 Trace Wire Trace wire is placed around the boundary of the area to be tested Typically encompasses area from 2,000 to 7,000 sf Pulse generator supplies 38 volt DC current to the trace wire

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22 Isolation Loops Metal penetrations must be isolated from the testing field to prevent unwanted grounding. Areas inside the loops and outside the boundary wires are not in the test bed.

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28 Vector Mapping is Ideal for Quality assurance testing of new roofing and waterproofing membranes Warranty verification Acceptance testing Integrity testing 3 rd Party verification

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30 Vector Mapping is Ideal for Pinpointing leaks in existing roofing and waterproofing systems, including most systems with overburden Green roofs Paver systems Ballasted systems

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36 Report Documentation

37 High Voltage Electronic Leak Detection

38 High Voltage Electronic Leak Detection Works on the principle of Arcing Arcing is current flow through normally non-conductive media such as air. The electrical energy used in High Voltage ELD can jump a gap as great as ¾.

39 The equipment provides various testing voltages Adjustable from 1,000 to 30,000volts DC Can test from extremely thin coatings of a few mils up to 5/8 thick membranes Virtually no amperage, no danger to technician, membrane or building

40 High Voltage Electronic Leak Detection

41 High voltage test equipment includes a portable charger, grounding leads, phosphor bronze brush electrode, drum brush electrode, and related accessories.

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45 High Voltage Electronic Leak Detection is ideal for vertical surfaces Parapet walls Flashings Foundation waterproofing

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48 Insulated Roofing Systems Single-ply membrane Insulation Deck

49 High Voltage Electronic Leak Detection

50 High Voltage Electronic Leak Detection

51 High Voltage Electronic Leak Detection

52 Alternative Grounding: Installation of Conductive Mesh

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58 Hybrid Systems 1st Utilize High Voltage Testing as the integrity test on vertical surfaces, at transitions and close to metal penetrations. 2nd Place trace wire and test the field of the membrane with Low Voltage technology. 3rd Install trace wire and connection boxes after testing is completed to provide for future Low Voltage Vector Mapping w/overburden in place.

59 Hybrid Systems Utilize High Voltage testing as the integrity test Install trace wire and connection boxes after the testing is completed This provides the opportunity to test the membrane with Low Voltage technology after the overburden is installed

60 VM Applications Insulated and non-insulated low-slope roof systems Ballasted roofs (LV) Quality Assurance Warranty Verification Membrane integrity testing Green Roofs Plaza Decks Horizontal and vertical waterproofing membranes Parking garages Pools, liners

61 Vector Mapping is Metal-coated and carbon black EPDM membranes Non-conductive decks, unless conductive mesh is installed to provide the grounding medium Systems with an electrically insulating barrier (like a polyethylene vapor barrier) between the membrane and the structural deck, unless there are active leaks Not Suitable for

62 Vector Mapping Benefits Pinpoints membrane defects for efficient repairs Repairs can be immediately re-tested Green roofs can be tested with soil in place (LV) Direct (non-interpretive) detection of breaches (HV) Sloped membranes & vertical flashings can be easily tested (HV) Less expensive, faster, safer, more reliable, and more accurate than flood testing

63 Low Voltage Testing Advantages Only technique that pinpoints breaches in systems with overburden

64 High Voltage Testing Advantages Trace wire not needed for testing Water not needed for testing (dry membrane surface), so 2 nd person is not needed Ideal for vertical surfaces & any membrane areas isolated by Low Voltage Testing. Typically quicker and less expensive than low voltage, especially on larger projects, and membranes with many penetrations

65 Ideal procedure; Technician has both testers and uses the best technique for the testing specification, weather conditions and membrane being surveyed. Ideal procedure; Roofing contractor is on site during the inspection to repair any defects. These repairs can then be quickly retested so that when the Technician completes the testing we can provide a Breach Free Certification.

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67 Why Use Electronic Leak Detection? It s a Win-Win-Win.

68 Owners Win Greater assurance that their newly completed membrane is breach-free. Roofs with overburden Now have an in- place system to pinpoint future leaks much more quickly and cost-effectively. Greater peace of mind about the quality and integrity of their investment.

69 Contractors Win Greater certainty that the new membrane is breach-free, and that the end result will be a very satisfied customer. Fewer call backs. Faster, safer, more reliable, more accurate and usually less expensive than flood testing.

70 Contractors Win Frees up personnel to do more profitable production work. Increased professionalism state-of-the-art high tech verification methodologies demonstrate the contractor s commitment to the highest professional standards.

71 Manufacturers Win Greater assurance that the membrane is breachfree and that the end result will be happy customers owner, contractor, specifier. Increased professionalism state-of-the-art high tech verification methodologies demonstrate the manufacturer s commitment to the highest professional standards.

72 Questions? Call Me:

73 Thank you!