Showing posts with label fire and green roofs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire and green roofs. Show all posts
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Atlantis Living Walls - Living Walls for Florida, Vertical Green
Here is an interesting video of Atlantis Water Management System's Living Wall Concept. The design is solid, especially as the frame is made from 95% Post-Consumer recycled material - good LEED Compliant stats.
I'd make a few changes - such as setting the living wall frame off from the stucco wall by at least 4 - 6 inches and seal any penetrations for anchors with a good low VOC sealant.
Irrigation concept is good too, however I'd certainly capture the water as it exits the bottom of the system to prevent Slip and Fall litigation - you know how prone us American's are to lawsuits...look at the puddle at the end of the clip - Res Ipsa Loquitur.
The extra width will serve to provide stability - especially on free standing walls.
Any ideas how they could be used to treat stormwater?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Green Roofs, Irrigation, Florida & Hurricanes
Hurricane - High Winds & Non-Irrigation Tests for a green roof test panel. We are collecting data, working with a major university to measure hurricane effects on a non-irrigated, lightweight extensive green roof.
The test panel is a 4' x 10' simulated roof capable of being raised and lowered from a flat elevation to a forty five degree angle.
The vegetated portion is non-irrigated and less than one inch thick.
The panel is being tested under hurricane wind speeds in a wind tunnel. It is also under study for plant growth and survival characteristics under a no-irrigation environment where the insulating qualities are being measured also.
Stay tuned for more information!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Florida Green Roofs, Green Roof Plants and Freezing Temperatures
Just got back from Tampa again. I came across some native grasses along the way at a small nursery - and brought them back to Jacksonville. They are low profile grasses - nice green color and light, flowing texture - especially for Winter!
I have already placed them up on the roof.
The weather forecast is calling for temperatures to hit the teens to mid-twenties across North Florida - and into the twenties all the way down into south-central portions of the state.
Record temperatures are expected (record lows that is).
Of course, Judy and I covered our citrus and some of our tender landscape plants.
But the exciting part of the cold is to see just how 'hardy' plants are on the roof. Some of my green roofing plants took a hard hit two weeks ago. They didn't die, but sustained some scarring. Others made it through the cold just fine.
One of the more interesting observations I've seen this cold season is that you can have two identical plants on the roof but one plant has been installed earlier in the year and has had a chance to 'harden' off to the harsh reality of the garden roof, while the other freshly installed plant has not. Not surprisingly - the non-hardened off plant suffered much more damage than the plant installed in the late spring.
This tells me that there are ideal months to install green roofing plants. I'd suggest it is best to install cold-hardy plants during the cooler months and cold-affected plants during the pre-summer season (allow the roots to develop and grow into the engineered medium before the stressful weather hits.
I'll update the condition of the native grasses after tonight's hard freeze.
Happy Green Roofing!
I have already placed them up on the roof.
The weather forecast is calling for temperatures to hit the teens to mid-twenties across North Florida - and into the twenties all the way down into south-central portions of the state.
Record temperatures are expected (record lows that is).
Of course, Judy and I covered our citrus and some of our tender landscape plants.
But the exciting part of the cold is to see just how 'hardy' plants are on the roof. Some of my green roofing plants took a hard hit two weeks ago. They didn't die, but sustained some scarring. Others made it through the cold just fine.
One of the more interesting observations I've seen this cold season is that you can have two identical plants on the roof but one plant has been installed earlier in the year and has had a chance to 'harden' off to the harsh reality of the garden roof, while the other freshly installed plant has not. Not surprisingly - the non-hardened off plant suffered much more damage than the plant installed in the late spring.
This tells me that there are ideal months to install green roofing plants. I'd suggest it is best to install cold-hardy plants during the cooler months and cold-affected plants during the pre-summer season (allow the roots to develop and grow into the engineered medium before the stressful weather hits.
I'll update the condition of the native grasses after tonight's hard freeze.
Happy Green Roofing!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Succulents for Green Roofs and more Sunday Night musings...
The blog data here is a continuation of my previous Green Roof blog. Feel free to refer back to the site to my new Green Roof blog because it does contain alot of information - and I will be posting the same info both here and on the Green Roof for Florida blog for some time.
We use succulents in most all of our green roofs. Succulents are an excellent green roof plant in many different ways. Succulents generally store water in their stems and leaves in significant quantities. Cacti leaves are practically non-existent and most photosynthetic functions in cacti occur in the stems. Succulents have stomata on all green surfaces but at much lower surface densities than most other plants.
Because succulents store water they can survive and in most cases still 'look good' after a significant drought. Another benefit to succulents is one of offering a deterrent to fire through their water filled leaves and stems.
Some other drought tolerant non-succulents such as the sages and grasses produce flammable volatile oils that can add fuel or accelerant to a fire.
Most succulents do not need fertilizer in quantities required by non-succulents. We have seen the base nitrogen content in rain provide sufficient nutrients for many green roof succulents.
Succulents also do well in well-drained soils that will wick and absorb a minimum amount of water.
Today engineered soils, such as the MetroVerde engineered soil blends have taken the place of most 'dirt' on the roof.
And finally, we are now prepared to say in our opinion, the green roof plants we propagate and raise like round rays and pots better than square ones.
After viewing first hand the growth qualities and characteristics of our green roof plants grown from seed in round and square containers, and cuttings in both, we believe the round container has less negative impact on root formation than the square shape.
Although there is not a huge significant difference, we've noticed a definite difference in size and in transplanting issues.
Unfortunately round pots are not as space efficient as square pots.
Has anyone out there seen studies conducted on the difference between square pots and round pots? I'd like to hear from them.
Happy green roofing!
We use succulents in most all of our green roofs. Succulents are an excellent green roof plant in many different ways. Succulents generally store water in their stems and leaves in significant quantities. Cacti leaves are practically non-existent and most photosynthetic functions in cacti occur in the stems. Succulents have stomata on all green surfaces but at much lower surface densities than most other plants.
Because succulents store water they can survive and in most cases still 'look good' after a significant drought. Another benefit to succulents is one of offering a deterrent to fire through their water filled leaves and stems.
Some other drought tolerant non-succulents such as the sages and grasses produce flammable volatile oils that can add fuel or accelerant to a fire.
Most succulents do not need fertilizer in quantities required by non-succulents. We have seen the base nitrogen content in rain provide sufficient nutrients for many green roof succulents.
Succulents also do well in well-drained soils that will wick and absorb a minimum amount of water.
Today engineered soils, such as the MetroVerde engineered soil blends have taken the place of most 'dirt' on the roof.
And finally, we are now prepared to say in our opinion, the green roof plants we propagate and raise like round rays and pots better than square ones.
After viewing first hand the growth qualities and characteristics of our green roof plants grown from seed in round and square containers, and cuttings in both, we believe the round container has less negative impact on root formation than the square shape.
Although there is not a huge significant difference, we've noticed a definite difference in size and in transplanting issues.
Unfortunately round pots are not as space efficient as square pots.
Has anyone out there seen studies conducted on the difference between square pots and round pots? I'd like to hear from them.
Happy green roofing!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Irrigation for Green Roofs. Have you already made up your mind?
A great article on green roofing technical issues by Kelly Luckett appears on a recent Green Roof Website and I recommend the read - lots of good info.
You can find my comments to irrigation issues as follows: (Note - I am pretty much against irrigation on a roof - too much tort liability exposure in my opinion remember Byrne v. Boadle from 1L?)
Hello Kelly:
I read your article on irrigation with interest.
I'd love to talk with you about how you can design a green roof to survive without irrigation.
I understand you may consider it hard to do, but it is very possible.
As a plant biologist for many years and a Florida nursery owner with my wife we too have held a great interest in green roofs, and have trials that have been in the field for years.
Now Florida is different from anywhere in the nation. We have the four H's - heat, humidity, hard freezes and hurricanes. And also a bunch of attorneys who got rich off of mold litigation and are looking at any irrigated roof as a lawsuit, arguing the mold in the building did come from the irrigated roof...
Lawyers aside, we wanted to develop a roofing system that was cheap and lightweight and would meet product approval for Florida Building Code - stricter than IBC - and was evergreen, could be used on sloped roofs, treated stormwater and provided wildlife habitat.
We tried trays and tray systems and mat systems like XeroFlor - http://www.xeroflora.com/ and everything in-between
We consider our 10 years or so of seeing trials not work, our biggest successes.
Tray based systems will not survive long term in Florida. This is our opinion. We do not represent XeroFlor but we have found mat systems are best for Florida's unique climate.
Florida is quite possibly on the verge of removing ballast, be it LECA or Expanded Clay or gravel from approved roofing materials lists because of hurricane damage possibilities. Imagine a roof full of gravel or expanded clay and a hurricane - now imagine the pellets flinging towards fenestration like a shotgun blast in a 150 mph gust.
Florida typically requires all roofing material to be permanently attached to the roof (DCA Roofing TAC guidance)and typically considers a green roof to be part of the building envelop.
So back to the irrigation...You can do a green roof in Florida without added irrigation - I don't know about north of Atlanta - but here in Florida it is certainly possible.
We have roofs in place that have not had a drop of irrigation from day one. And they are doing very well.
Sure, you see signs of stress during 2 month droughts.
But they still look pretty good...
And you don't have to fool with a mechanical system that can fail - one that supplies pressurized water...
And they do fine without fertilizer, but they like fertilizer too...
We heard the same advice years ago. You have to fertilize and irrigate. But our roofs speak for themselves. No irrigation. No fertilizer. No maintenance.
I spent years watching plants grow in Florida roof gutters, and in the cracks of hot asphalt pavement in over 100 degree heat, with desiccating winds, and watched plants grow in cracks of retaining walls for overpasses, and did they ever continue to grow!
One of my favorite green roofs is located in the roof gutter of the gas station next to our local Blockbuster Movie shop. No one irrigates it. No one fertilizers it. It is there year in and year out.
Maybe green roofs can be designed, installed and survive without irrigation. We know they can here in Florida...even with our harsh sun, heat, winds and storms...
I smile every time I read of someone saying it can't be done...
You can find my comments to irrigation issues as follows: (Note - I am pretty much against irrigation on a roof - too much tort liability exposure in my opinion remember Byrne v. Boadle from 1L?)
Hello Kelly:
I read your article on irrigation with interest.
I'd love to talk with you about how you can design a green roof to survive without irrigation.
I understand you may consider it hard to do, but it is very possible.
As a plant biologist for many years and a Florida nursery owner with my wife we too have held a great interest in green roofs, and have trials that have been in the field for years.
Now Florida is different from anywhere in the nation. We have the four H's - heat, humidity, hard freezes and hurricanes. And also a bunch of attorneys who got rich off of mold litigation and are looking at any irrigated roof as a lawsuit, arguing the mold in the building did come from the irrigated roof...
Lawyers aside, we wanted to develop a roofing system that was cheap and lightweight and would meet product approval for Florida Building Code - stricter than IBC - and was evergreen, could be used on sloped roofs, treated stormwater and provided wildlife habitat.
We tried trays and tray systems and mat systems like XeroFlor - http://www.xeroflora.com/ and everything in-between
We consider our 10 years or so of seeing trials not work, our biggest successes.
Tray based systems will not survive long term in Florida. This is our opinion. We do not represent XeroFlor but we have found mat systems are best for Florida's unique climate.
Florida is quite possibly on the verge of removing ballast, be it LECA or Expanded Clay or gravel from approved roofing materials lists because of hurricane damage possibilities. Imagine a roof full of gravel or expanded clay and a hurricane - now imagine the pellets flinging towards fenestration like a shotgun blast in a 150 mph gust.
Florida typically requires all roofing material to be permanently attached to the roof (DCA Roofing TAC guidance)and typically considers a green roof to be part of the building envelop.
So back to the irrigation...You can do a green roof in Florida without added irrigation - I don't know about north of Atlanta - but here in Florida it is certainly possible.
We have roofs in place that have not had a drop of irrigation from day one. And they are doing very well.
Sure, you see signs of stress during 2 month droughts.
But they still look pretty good...
And you don't have to fool with a mechanical system that can fail - one that supplies pressurized water...
And they do fine without fertilizer, but they like fertilizer too...
We heard the same advice years ago. You have to fertilize and irrigate. But our roofs speak for themselves. No irrigation. No fertilizer. No maintenance.
I spent years watching plants grow in Florida roof gutters, and in the cracks of hot asphalt pavement in over 100 degree heat, with desiccating winds, and watched plants grow in cracks of retaining walls for overpasses, and did they ever continue to grow!
One of my favorite green roofs is located in the roof gutter of the gas station next to our local Blockbuster Movie shop. No one irrigates it. No one fertilizers it. It is there year in and year out.
Maybe green roofs can be designed, installed and survive without irrigation. We know they can here in Florida...even with our harsh sun, heat, winds and storms...
I smile every time I read of someone saying it can't be done...
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Frost & The Florida Green Roof
Tonight is the second night of the November 2008 winter where the outside temperature is expected to drop below freezing. Last night there were low in the mid to low 20's all across North Florida and the same is expected tonight.
Expected seasonal weather like this creates a huge challenge for the vegetated roof designer in Florida. Not just cold weather alone - because many northern green roofs survive much colder temperatures.
No - it is the combination of two weeks ago we were experiencing heat and humidity at high levels and now the frost - little if any hardening off of the roof plants.
I pose a question here. What happens when many of the native plants here that are deciduous or produce leaf litter - what happens when leaf matter dies from frost or drought? One of the answers is that we see a marked increase in leaf litter buildup.
Leaf litter turns into fuel once ignited. Dead plant matter, dried by desiccating cold winds can easily and rapidly burn when exposed to a spark or heat source.
Fire occurs in nature to cleanse dead plant matter from the environment and return nutrients to the soil. The chance of a roof fire increase once flammable, dried leaf litter accumulates on a green roof.
ASTM has recognized this potential problem and is developing standards for green roof plants.
The good designer will also strive to incorporate plants that prevent or greatly reduce the chances of leaf litter build up.
As we enter the season where many plants are dropping their leaves and becoming dormant, we should ask ourselves as we design green roofs, about potential fire issues with the plants we are selecting.
Better safe than sorry.
Expected seasonal weather like this creates a huge challenge for the vegetated roof designer in Florida. Not just cold weather alone - because many northern green roofs survive much colder temperatures.
No - it is the combination of two weeks ago we were experiencing heat and humidity at high levels and now the frost - little if any hardening off of the roof plants.
I pose a question here. What happens when many of the native plants here that are deciduous or produce leaf litter - what happens when leaf matter dies from frost or drought? One of the answers is that we see a marked increase in leaf litter buildup.
Leaf litter turns into fuel once ignited. Dead plant matter, dried by desiccating cold winds can easily and rapidly burn when exposed to a spark or heat source.
Fire occurs in nature to cleanse dead plant matter from the environment and return nutrients to the soil. The chance of a roof fire increase once flammable, dried leaf litter accumulates on a green roof.
ASTM has recognized this potential problem and is developing standards for green roof plants.
The good designer will also strive to incorporate plants that prevent or greatly reduce the chances of leaf litter build up.
As we enter the season where many plants are dropping their leaves and becoming dormant, we should ask ourselves as we design green roofs, about potential fire issues with the plants we are selecting.
Better safe than sorry.
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