LEAK TESTING LOW SLOPE ROOF

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Author Message Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 328 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 02:42 pm:    Don't ask. I have a client that requires leak testing for a new single ply roof membrane system. Client wants to mimic a natural rainfall with sprinklers followed by nondesctructive electronic leak detection. Drains will not be blocked to flood roof. Does anyone have a spec paragraph or 2 or 3 that clearly and concisely describes the methodology. Means and methods may also be included or a similar method used to test curtain wall for water penetration. Roof is 470,000 sq feet so I do not know how client expects to dectect leaks if only randomly selected sample areas are tested. Go figure. Ceasars the boss. Go to bid on Monday, May 3rd. Thanks in advance. Wayne Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 1185 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 02:51 pm:    Call multiple engine companies of the local fire service, including tower/boom water guns, 2- and 4-inch hand-held lines with spray nozzles, and go to town!! Or call a movie studio and find out how they "make it rain"-- like in "Singing in the Rain", and in some of the war movies!!! Have client stand inside waiting/looking for leaks! Richard L Matteo, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: rlmat Post Number: 380 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 04:08 pm:    I ran that past a couple of roofing manufacturers - there is no testing for roof leaks like there is for waterproofing. I would check with the roofing manufactuer - such testing could very well void their warranty Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 433 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 06:19 pm:    Contact International Leak Detection ILD http://www.leak-detection.com/ They install a conductor system they call Electronic Field Vector Mapping - used under green roofs and elsewhere - that enables subsequent testing to pinpoint leaks. Random sampling is not appropriate: either you identify all leaks or you don't. Don't know of any testing that is possible without installing the conductors. Doesn't work under EPDM due to conductive characteristics of carbon black. Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 329 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 06:54 pm:    Thanks Phil. Mark Gilligan SE, CSI Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 274 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 12:47 am:    Do not think sprinklers would reflect the effects of wind driven rain. If I was to go to this effort I would wonder if it would be helpful to do something to find problems with the flashing or at changes in elevation. David E Lorenzini Senior Member Username: deloren Post Number: 96 Registered: 04-2000 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 10:08 am:    Wayne ILD can provide the service you need. They string a conductor around the permeter of the area and ground it to the steel structure. Then they map all the leaks with their equipment down to a miniscule size. The best time to do it is before the roofer leaves the job so they can make repairs while they are still there. I can send you the language you need to meet your deadline. Send me your email address to deloren@scip.com. David Lorenzini, FCSI, CCS Architectural Resources Co. Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 330 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 10:12 am:    Thanks everyone. The ILD solution appears to be what I need. Wayne ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 51 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 06:54 pm:    Just a heads-up. Electronic Field Vector Mapping (EFVM) is copyrighted by ILD. If you want the same service and you want to include competition, consider calling it 'Electronic Leak Detection'. See http://www.honzagroupinc.com/service/electricleakdetection.html for a detailed explanation of high and low voltage testing options.