b'UNVENTED WOOD ROOFforth by lobbyists. The present situa-tion makes me leery that existing rules within our political system are either not being followed or are insufficient to deal with the coordinated and sophis-ticated American system of lobbying clearly at play here.FINAL THOUGHTSEven though the homeowner suffered a roofing failure and is now staring down the barrel of replacing a two-year-old roof, their home is indeed far more energy efficient and air-tight than the original structure was. Perhaps this is a fair trade in the long run. My primary concern lies not with the forward progress that a move to more air-tight construction brings, but the unsus-pecting casualties along the way. The average homeowner has no idea what Clause 9.19.1.1 or STANDATA are, PHOTO 3: ROOF INVESTIGATION AT ONE OF THE SHINGLE RIDGING LOCATIONS. SHEATHING REMOVED TOand the public is relying on balanced EXPOSE SPRAY FOAM. and objective analysis of new solutions to protect their interests. I think many Alberta residents will pay a similarprice to my client in the years to market. Unvented shingle roofs are notthan manufacturers bringing a newcome, and that is a shame because it is yet warrantable by this manufacturer.technique/product to market. Thecompletely unnecessary. The long-term effects resulting fromreport on which the decision toThe vented roof is one of the most the substantial increase in solar gainprovincially accept unvented roofs reliedunder-appreciated assemblies refer-on these roofs are not well established,was commissioned by the Americanenced in our building code. As Dr. and manufacturers understandably shyChemistry Council (ACC). The ACCJoe Lstiburek notes in BSI-141: away from long-term commitments inappears to be a consortium of manufac- Shakespeare Does Roofs, vented roofs that sort of situation. Until more data isturers of chemical products including,successfully and economically address available, and this homeowners specificnotably, the large American-based sprayissues common to cold climates, like experience isnt pointing to an outcomefoam manufacturers. It seems the ACCice damming. Did things really need favourable to the public looking forcommissioned a report with the specificto change in this market? One of roof warranties, shingle roofing withpurpose of lobbying the government tothe options to resolve the unvented long-term manufacturer backing will bechange the rules in their favour. Moreroof failure in this article, and the limited to the old tried and true ventedconcerning is that the committeesmost robust one in my opinion, is to roof systems of the NBC. appointed by our local elected officialsconstruct a hybrid vented roof on top of AGGRESSIVE LOBBYINGappear to have adopted the changethe now substantially air-tight and insu-recommended by the ACC with littlelated structure. If the homeowner elects CLEARLY A THING or no visible objectivity or sober secondto do this, they will have one of the best IN THE ALBERTAthought. The ACC report is heavy onwood roofs I have ever seen and, coinci-CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY the merits of unvented roofing, but lowdentally, the roof recommended by Dr. I do not object to large manufacturerson the risks. Shingle buckling and roofLstiburek in BSI-141.creating innovative and novel products.warranties being voided are not in there.Homeowners who are adversely impacted Under the right circumstances, I amPerhaps a report outlining the risks andby this change to the building code should personally happy to assist with testingsummarizing the shingle manufacturerssubmit a complaint to the Alberta Safety products and sometimes recommendingposition should be posted along withCodes Council at www.safetycodes.ab.ca/them to my clients. I have recom- the document commissioned by permits-inspections/complaints. mended unvented roofing on a fewthe ACC. occasions over the years. The innovationDuring the 2024 American electionFred Edwards is a professional engineer who has that large product manufacturers bringseason, I grew accustomed to hearingpracticed building science for RJC Engineers in to our industry is a primary means ofabout the system of lobbying south ofCalgary, Alta. since his graduation from the U achieving forward progress. the border. It is a way of life down there,of C in 2006. Fred is a lifelong Calgarian and This change to Part 9 of the Albertaand their political system incorporatesis formally trained in thermal and hygrothermal Building Code seems to be differentthe checks necessary to vet opinions putsimulation of building enclosures.16 BCBEC ELEMENTSA BCBEC PUBLICATION'