The roof is the building's fifth façade. It is the façade that fewest people see or think about. However, it is also the façade that is exposed to the harshest conditions. The roof should:
TEK17 regulations and the Building Research Series (525.207) for compact roofs require that the designers specify the necessary properties.
This is particularly important when expanding the roof's functions to include activity roofs, stormwater management, or solar panels. On this page, we will assist you in choosing the right products with the necessary properties that meet documentation requirements.
- The Norwegian Environment Agency on stormwater management
- Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) on stormwater
- NVE Guidelines - Blue-green and green roof at Vega Scene
- Protan on stormwater management on roofs
All municipalities require compliance with the three-step strategy. Municipalities also require consideration of future climate changes.
Already in the planning phase, we are involved in a project and help calculate the contribution the roof can make to the project. The roof is the simplest place to handle stormwater. It takes up no space and does not require excavation. Often, the roof contributes significantly more than just its own area. In many cases, the need for ground-level measures can be reduced, and the water can flow onward with minimal or no delay.
We can assist with the following:
We can help you calculate all of this - completely without obligation. Book a conversation with one of our advisors now. Book a conversation!
The number of rainwater outlets a roof needs is assessed based on several factors.
Our experts choose/design roofs considering the slope conditions and the shape of the roof, while also considering the "smart" use of materials. This provides the best solutions at a low cost.
The number of outlets varies depending on the location in the country. A general rule of thumb is 1 outlet per 250-400 square meters.
At Protan, we always set higher standards:
Read more about this and our BlueRoof system that is revolutionising the construction industry here.
When you know what you, as an architect, want to use the roof for, you will also know the appropriate roofing method.
Roofs have changed significantly in the last 100 years. Today, we often associate them with timber cabins and houses, which are still in use.
Traditional gray roofs have been common since the 1960s, but in the past 10-15 years, we have seen an increase in the use of sedum on some roofs.
Fortunately, in our opinion, roofs are now being used for an ever-expanding range of functions:
Ultimately, the choice depends on you and the building owner. We aim to find the right roofing solution regardless of the roof's function.
When we expand the use of roofs, TEK17 imposes additional requirements on the solutions and products. For many roof solutions, there are developed solutions in the Building Research Series and industry standards in the Roofing Manufacturers' Research Group (TPF). These are pre-accepted solutions.
Examples of pre-accepted solutions may include:
For some roof solutions, there are no pre-accepted solutions. In such cases, the TEK17 Building Technical Regulations recommend documentation such as SINTEF Technical Approval or equivalent.
If the project requires a fossil-free/emissions-free construction site, carbon accounting, or BREEAM-NOR certification, Protan's products and solutions offer many advantages.
Roofs where many pre-accepted solutions have been developed:
Roofs where no pre-accepted solutions have been developed, requiring separate documentation:
Fire safety is important, including for roofs. It's crucial to consider this during installation to protect lives and assets throughout the building's lifespan. Unfortunately, we observe that fires can start on roofs during installation, and unnecessary fire spread occurs due to incorrect use of outdated methods. At Protan, we aim to prevent this.
"The Safety Regulations for Hot Work Execution" by Finance Norway (Finans Norge) sets clear requirements for what and how roofs should be installed. Regarding raised and ventilated timber constructions, they state: "The construction poses a significant fire risk. The use of open flames on such constructions is therefore not allowed."
PVC roofing is installed using hot air, so this issue is not relevant for PVC products.
For the building's lifespan, fire classes are described in the Building Research Series 525.207 and 525.322. The Roofing Manufacturers' Research Group has developed industry standards with pre-accepted solutions in TPF No. 6.
Many municipalities and developers have sustainability requirements, which can include:
Firstly, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel applies to "inside the vapour barrier" and therefore does not cover roofing materials. Consequently, roofing materials do not carry this certification.
NOLL-CO2 and ParisProof are additional certifications to BREEAM-NOR.
NOLL-CO2 considers greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire lifespan of the building. Products must provide documentation for all life cycle stages from A1 to D (cradle to recycling). Protan provides documentation from A1 to D and has 0.98 kg CO2 Eqv. in greenhouse gas emissions (based on our best-selling product).
Source: https://www.epd-norge.no/tagbelegg-membraner/category325.html (May 2023)
In comparison, 1- and 2-ply bitumen roofing have 13 kg CO2 Eqv. and 25 kg CO2 Eqv. respectively, showing a significant difference.
ParisProof sets requirements for selecting climate-friendly solutions and emissions-free installation. The use of propane gas is described for bitumen product installation, while PVC products use electricity. Therefore, all PVC roofing contributes to an emissions-free construction site.
BREEAM-NOR is the world's most widely used certification scheme. Protan qualifies for points and can contribute to many categories. We can provide documents such as EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations), ECOproducts, and ISO 14001.