Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010 - (Page 18)

GREEN JOBS “WHO OWNS THE GREEN ROOF?” Angie Durhman GREEN ROOF MANAGER, TECTA AMERICA CORP., MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA cation. When it comes to semi-intensive and intensive green roofs this should be strictly the realm of landscape installers. Intensive roofs have separate specifications for the various landscape components that are cross-referenced to the roofing or waterproofing specification. Installation should be limited to qualified landscape installers that have proven experience with green roofs. These landscapers will also be experienced in plant handling, irrigation and the numerous other separately specified landscape systems. My personal preference is landscapers for growing media and plant installation for all projects.” Anthony C. Mayer, LEED AP, GRP PIONEER ROOFING, LLC, DIRECTOR OF PIONEERGREENGREEN ROOFS, JOHNSON CREEK, WISCONSIN “This is not an industry where any one solution is right for every application, just the opposite. As the size, scope and complexity of each roofing system differs, so too do the needs for installation. We determine what makes the most sense for the contract requirements, building owners and the bottom line. With my background in horticulture and professional experience in roofing, I feel that it is important for green roof installers to have a working knowledge of the plant material being installed and maintained. It is also critical to meet the needs that all roofing presents: unique safety standards, insurance requirements, contractor/designer responsibility and warranties. This dynamic holds for maintenance responsibilities as well. Many projects dictate that we use our own workforce to achieve green roof performance. Stating labor goals, rates and responsibilities at the start of each project will begin to simplify the process and develop the best solution for the customer.” “To begin, the debate should not be, “Who owns the Green Roof,” but rather: “Who is liable for the Green Roof?” I have been involved with green roofing for seven years, first as a landscaper and now as a roofer. Choosing to work with a roofing firm was elementary. These firms ultimately carry the liability, have the correct insurance and safety plans in place to protect the owner and have personnel with the experience to work on a roof. I experienced this while working for a landscaping firm. They had a project with a leaky roof which resulted in damage to the building. Due to multiple trades working on the project, the issue of who is liable resulted in major inconveniences for the owner. If a ‘single source’ roofing installer completed the project, the liability would have been clear and the owner would not have been subjected to the misery they experienced.” Scott Grams EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS Terry Warriner Ryan, FASLA PARTNER AND LICENSED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT JACOBS/RYAN ASSOCIATES, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS “It is our opinion at Jacobs/Ryan Associates that landscape contractors have the background and capabilities to best perform the installation work of green roofs. That background includes knowledge of not only construction but horticulture as well, both of which are required in order to properly install and maintain a green roof so that it is able to complete its full sustainability function. Owners would be well-advised to pre-screen the landscape contractor to determine qualifications and experience with green roofs and other rooftop garden installations. However, there are many landscape contractors who have been installing work on-structure for decades, long before green roofs were a trend and before roofers expressed any interest in this market segment.” Bill Foley, CSI, CCPR, GRP SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST, TREMCO INC., PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA “Landscape contractors have installed well over 100+ green roofs in the state of Illinois. These include both intensive and extensive systems. Landscape contractors are natural installers and maintainers of green roofs. It is essential that consumers ensure the contractor has done green roof installations before and will use proper safety procedures for rooftop work. Use of a landscape contractor allows for both installation and maintenance to be done by the same company. It adds cohesion when the maintainer of the plant material knows exactly why a certain type of plant material was used. Green roofs are horticultural products. Green roofs are not houseplants placed on a window sill. If the contractor does not understand plant installation and maintenance, a green roof could become a brown, dead roof over time. A green roof is a wonderful gift residential and commercial property owners can offer the environment. It is not worth the cost or time to install a green roof if the contractor does not understand plant material. Consumers should give themselves the peace of mind and use qualified landscape contractors.” “Aside from labor disputes, responsibility for the green roof quality assurance is generally detailed within the construction documents. In my opinion, extensive green roofs can be successfully installed by either landscape or roofing contractor installers. The prerequisites of completion of green roof manufacturer’s training, prior green roof experience and having an Accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP) on staff could be a new qualifiLIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR WINTER 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010
Contents
Laying Roots for Green Jobs
Outstanding Student Design
Passing of a Legend
New Federal Stormwater Guidelines From EPA
Partnering Science with Service
On the Roof with...Eden Brukman, Reg. Arch., LEED(R) AP
The Leaf Effect
Who Owns the Green Roof?
Planting the Federal Inventory
Curb Appeal
Maintenance Matters
Professional Development Update
Professional Calendar
Congratulations New GRPS
Welcome New Corporate Members
Green Roof Energy Calculator
Doing No Harm

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010