b'PMRAPavers (Ballast) Filter layer /Water flow resisting layer (optional) Insulation Drainage layer (optional) Roofing Membrane Structural Deck Figure 1: Protected membrane roof assembly (PMRA). (Courtesy: RCABC.)tion.Differentmaterialcombinations, performanceexpectationsandinstal-Roof Consultinglation techniques have led to variations in PMRA assessment in building codes and design guides. As climate resilience andsustainabledesigngainpopularity, auniform codification frameworkthat accuratelyexpressesPMRAsunique performancefeaturesandadvantagesis required.Recognizing the growing importance ofPMRAsinmodernconstruction andtheneedforconsistentperfor-mance evaluation, the National Research BY SUDHAKAR MOLLETI (SUDHA), PH.D., TEAM LEADER, ROOFING SYSTEMS AND INSULATION CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH CENTER, NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA Council Canada (NRC) initiated a collab-orative R&D initiative titled Protected MembraneRoofAssemblies(PMRA): A Holistic Evaluation for Codification. This three-year project brought together amulti-disciplinaryindustryconsor-tium, including key stakeholders such as Dupont,OwensCorning,SOPREMA, HydrotechMembrane,Henry,the RoofingContractorsAssociation ofBritishColumbia(RCABC)and theCanadianRoofingContractors Association (CRCA).Theprojectwasdesignedaround Roof Condition Assessments & Surveysthree core research tasks, each addressing Roof System Design & Contract Managementcritical performance aspects of PMRAs:Green Roof Design Warranty & Maintenance ReviewTask1:WindPerformance Infrared Thermography EvaluationThiscomponent Roof Access & Fall Protection - Design & Testingfocused on assessing the wind uplift Roof Asset Management & Capital Planningresistance of PMRA systems. The RCABC Approved Observersresearch involved full-scale testing toevaluatehowvariousballast types and their layout influences theCreative Thinking Practical Resultswinddynamicsandperformanceof PMRAs.Vancouver & Surrey 604-738-0048 Victoria 250-386-7794rjc.caNanaimo 250-716-1550Kelowna 778-738-1700T a s k 2 : M o i s t u r eCharacterization and Thermal www.rcabc.orgl17Page 1 of 4'