Untitled - National Roofing Contractors Association

William C. Cullen, NRCA research associate

Project Pinpoint analysis:
trends and problems
in low-slope roofing
1983-1988
WiUiam C. Cullen, NRCA research associate
Project Pinpoint
The National Roofing Contractors Association initiated a
member roof survey program in 1974 that is identified as
Project Pinpoint. The initial objective of Project Pinpoint
was to provide an early-warning procedure for the identification
of problems experienced with roofing materials
in low slope roofing applications. A secondary purpose was
to provide the roofing industry with baseline information
on what materials were being used and how often. Although
the operational procedures, especially in the data analysis
area, of Project Pinpoint have been greatly improved over
time, the two basic objectives of the project remain.
NRCA's contractor members are queried about their individual
experiences concerning problem roofs. Each contractor
is furnished with two problem job forms, one specifically
designed for bituminous built-up membrane roofs
and a second for single-ply roofs, which include elastomeric,
thermoplastic, and the polymer modified bitwninous membrane
types. Figs. 1 and 2* are examples of the forms supplied.
The members are asked to complete a separate form
each time they encounter a problem job. In addition, each
quarter one fourth of the contractor membership is asked
to report information on actual jobs under construction on
specific dates of that quarter. Fig. 3 illustrates the type of
baseline information that the contractor is asked to supply.
The data, that are collected, stored and analyzed under
the project deal with three categories of information: (1)
problems experienced with bituminous built-up roofs, (2)
problems experienced with single-ply (elastomeric, ther.
moplastic and polymer-modified bituminous membrane)
roofs and, (3) baseline information on commercial/industrial
roofing projects under construction.
Unfortunately, until 1988 NRCA did not possess the
necessary analytical tools to process the multitude of data
collected over the years so that the information could be
used to its full potential. This being the case, it is fair to
state that Project Pinpoint did not fully meet its primary
objective for the early identification of problem areas with
commercial/industrial roofs. This shortfall has long been
recognized, and NRCA has done something about it. The
association's recently installed computer system has brought
about a dramatic increase in Project Pinpoint's diagnostic
power. The project's entire database, collected from 1974
through 1988, has been entered into the computer's data
bank from information taken directly from the original
forms to insure accuracy.
Software programs are now available to make retrieving
and analyzing the data extremely efficient. It is now feasible
to perform on-the-spot comparisons of the various
.Tables and figures begin on page 10.
parameters contained in the database. Consequently, NRCA
now has the capability to run cross-tabulations on such factors
as membrane and insulation types used vs. the nature
and the extent of the problems experienced. In brief, the
computer system provides the ability to petfonn all sorts
of data analysis in short periods of time to answer questions
as they arise within the industry.
Purpose and scope
This report is presented to give the reader a sense of Project
Pinpoint. It covers the survey process and presents examples
of NRCA's improved computer capability to analyze
and interpret the data in terms of trends and developments
in the industry over the period from 1983 to 1988. It is further
intended to demonstrate the types of information that
the project makes available to the entire roofing industry-
We hope that by illustrating the bottom line results of the
program, the report will stimulate an increased response
from NRCA contractor members to make Project Pinpoint
even more useful to our industry.
This report's format is divided into three parts. Part 1
deals with problem jobs reported for the single-ply membrane
category_Part 2 covers the problems experienced
with bituminous built-up roofs. In parts 1 and 2 the nature
and frequency of the specific deficiencies are reported as
well as the respondents' assessment of the seriousness of
the problems. The problems experienced are cross-referenced
with the various material and design parameters. This
gives general profiles of the problem roofs.
Included in parts 1 and 2 is considerable information
covering materials and design parameters for the structural
deck, insulation materials and membrane materials. In
addition, data on such design considerations as insulation
thickness and attachment techniques, membrane attachment
and surfacings are also provided.
Part 3 presents the baseline results from the 4,200 subject
roofing projects under construction during the years
1983 to 1988 with respect to trends in material and certain
design aspects. Data are presented in 'graphical and tabular
form to complement the author's narrative, giving readers
the opportunity to interpret the data for themselves.
Data collection, analysis and reporting
Upon NRCA's receipt of each survey fonn, the data are immediately
entered in the computer data bank. Quarterly
summary reports are generated for each of the three
categories and distributed to each of the respondents.
Using various software programs, NRCA analyzes the
data, generating useful infonnation for answering inquiries
and preparing scientific technical reports. The analysis also
provides useful information to members ofNRCA's Nation-

al Roofing Litigation Center. From time to time, articles
for trade publications such as NRCA's Professional Roofing
are prepared on the survey information.
When data are given in tabular form, the values are expressed
as percentages of that year's total job count for all
roofs- In addition, they are presented as the maximum,
minimum and average of the individual values given for
each year of the six.year period. A value for the standard
deviation has also been included. This gives a measure of
the dispersion of the data from the average. For example,
the more the data are dispersed between YeaR over the sixyear
period, the higher the number for the standard deviation.
Consequently, this value indicates whether or not a
significant trend may be present over time. If the value is
high, view the data to see if a trend has occurred.
Table 1 is indicative of the data supplied by NRCA contractor
respondents from 1983 to 1988 inclusive. They
reported on a total of 7,837 roofing projects completed in
all areas of the United States- Problem jobs numbered 3,637
or 46 percent of the total count. Baseline data roofs, reporting
material and design use on 4,200 projects under construction,
accounted for the remaining 54 percent. In the
problem job category, the data represents 2,283 single-ply
membrane roofs compared to 1,354 problem jobs in the
bituminous built-up membrane classification.
Projed Pinpoint limitations
Recent improvemenu in data coUection and analysis procedures
increased Project Pinpoint's usefulness for the entire
roofing industry by a large degree. However, one must be
aware of Project Pinpoint's limitations so as not to draw
incorrect conclusions from the infonnation ensuing from
the data and iu analysis. Problem job information is not
often comparable to baseline information for anyone brief
period because problems usually do not occur in the year
that the roof is applied. Next, caution should be exercised
in attempting to correlate data to get the answer one wanu
without considering the many parameters involved. For ex.
ample, at fint blush, EPDM membranes appear to be the
more prominent offender in lap problems. However, if lap
problems are expressed as a percentage of problem job market
share, the polymer.modified bituminous membranes indicate
a higher value than the EPDMs. This is demonstrated
in Fig. 9.
Finally, the author wishes to emphasize that neither the
statistical significance of the survey process nor the validity
and bias of the data submitted can be verified. Consequently,
it may be inaccurate to make hard and fast statemenu
about the way things are or were. Nonetheless, the
information is useful for deterDlining the relation of
problem trends to the various parameten associated with
the problems. Further, the baseline information is an excellent
gauge as to the general material and design trends
occurring in the U.s. roofing industry, especially when the
data cover several yean as they do here.
Part 1. Single-ply problem roofs
The panicipating NRCA contractor members returned sur.
vey forms identifying 3,815 particular defects on the 2,283
roofing projects they observed during the six.year period
covered here. This data is outlined in Table 2. On average,
these values represent a problem ratio of 1.7 problems for
each roof. The 2,283 single-ply problem roof count
represents 63 percent of the 3,637 total job count for both
single'ply and built-up jobs reported on for this period.
Fig. 4 graphically illustrates a trend in the increasing frequency
of problem occurrences reported for single-ply
membrane roofs from 1983 to 1988. This compares to the
rather constant frequency rate for built.up roof problems.
In order to place the apparent single-ply problem increase
in perspective, the increased frequency of single-ply use
over the same time frame must be considered. This is
reflected in Project Pinpoint's baseline data. These data
show an increase of reports on single-ply products from 40
percent in 1983 to 60 percent in 1988.
The data which are presented in Table 3 give an overall
view of the distribution of specific problems reported by
the respondents. These particular data are expressed as percentages
of the problem roof count on a year-by-year basis
in which the identified problems were observed and reported,
not necessarily in the year in which they occurred- For
convenience, maximums, minimums and averages, as well
as the standard deviation for the six-year period, are also
reported. It appears that definitive trends may be appar.
ent when the value of the standard deviation is above 3 in
this particular category.
What about problem severity The survey questionnaire
asks respondents to estimate the seriousness of the problems.
These opinions may be rather crude measures of
problem severity; nonetheless, they are indicators. In review.
ing the answers received, it appears that between 40 and
50 percent of the observed defects were placed in the severe
category. Conversely, only 10 to 20 percent were classified
as minor. The information derived from the data
indicates that the respondents tend to report only the more
serious problems that they observed.
Litigation, which is another measure of the problems' seriousness,
is addressed in Table 4. Data for the years 1983 to
1988 are given as maximum, minimum and average values.
In brief, the average value for the six years shows that some
5.7 percent of the 2.283 problem roofs are or were in litiga.
tion. A review of the individual year values indicates that
a slight decline in projects being litigated may be taking
place. Fig. 5 illustrates the litigation status of the 2,283 single.
ply problem roofs, on average, over the six-year period.
Specific problem areas
Table 3 gives data for all single-ply membrane roofs. With
an average of 24 percent of the reported problems, lap
defects lead in the total number of problems observed and
reported by the survey respondents. On average, flashing
defects and membrane shrinkage accounted for about 11
percent and 9 percent of deficiencies. Punctures; tears,
wind-related problems, material embrittlement. and blistering
followed in that order. Some have asked if there is any
significance to the rather large percentage of problems
reported in the "other" category. Simply, it is a catchall for
problem areas that are not specifically identified in the sur-
2

vey formats. This subject will be addressed in the following
discussion.
Membrane shrinkage. As Table 3 indicates, membrane
shrinkage accounted for an average of9 percent of reported
problems over the period studied. However, these data
do not necessarily reflect the big picture. The relatively high
standard deviation value of 3.8 prompts a cl~ review of
the data points for the individual yeaTS. These indicate a
definitive upward trend in the frequency of shrinkage reports.
They iocreased from about 1 percent in 1983 to nearly
13 percent in 1985 as illustrated in Fig. 6. Such a rise in
reports leads analysts to ask if there is a cause for concern,
if the materials changing. if the trend will continue, and if
some action is called for. These and other questions might
be addressed to any of the trends that appear in the data.
Demonstrating NRCA's improved computer capabilities,
the relationship between membrane shrinkage defects and
membrane type is presented in Fig. 7. Here the data suggest
a strong association between the use of polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) membrane materials and this particular
imperfection. On the more positive side, the high-water
mark for PVC shrinkage problems occurred in 1986. The
value then declined over the following two years. Does this
changing trend suggest a change in composition, marketing,
application or design We can only speculate.
Turning to the modified bituminous products, the 22 percent
value reflected in Fig. 7 may indicate that shrinkage
can also be a problem with these materials. Further, from
a review of the data it appears that the modified bituminous
materials are exhibiting an increased tendency to shrink
since the 1987 and 1988 reported values are significantly
higher than the previous yean.
Shrinkage of EPDM membrane materials has also been
reported. EPDM membranes were involved in 17 percent
of the shrinkage problems reported, as indicated in Fig. 7.
As with modified bitumens, an increase in shrinkage
problems has been noted with EPDM membranes, especially
in 1987 and 1988.
The data show that the remaining single-ply membrane
materials have not been totally immune to this particular
deficiency. Each received some marks for shrinkage.
However, the overall percentage is comparatively low and
no significant trends were apparent in the data.
Laps and Seams. Reports from several sources indicate
that lap problems appear to be the predominant deficiencies
associated with single-ply roofing membranes. These
observations are corroborated by the Project Pinpoint sixyear
data summary as reported in Table 3. It can be seen
that, on average, 24 percent of the 2,283 single-ply problem
jobs were reported to have defective laps and seams. Referring
to the relatively low value of the standard deviation
among the six.year data points, the conclusion is made that
this problem continues at essentially the same high frequency
rate each year. This is somewhat surprising in view of
the industry's concern and research effort to address the
problem through improved materials and workmanship.
The reader is directed to Fig 8., which demonstrates the
distribution of this problem area among the various singleply
membrane materials. EPDM membrane materials accounted
for ~ percent of the lap and seam defects observed.
The respondents also indicated that 26 percent of
the jobs experiencing lap problems were of the polymermodified
bituminous type. The reader is again cautioned
not to arrive at conclusions without considering other
aspects of inf(X'lnation such as market share. A case in point
is demonstrated in Fig. 9- It shows that the polymer-modified
bituminous membranes appear to experience a higher
percentage of lap problems if the problem job market share
is taken into account.
The data indicate that other single.ply membranes also
experience lap problems. For example, Fig. 8 indicates that
chlorinated sulfonated polyethylene (G5PE) materials were
third at about 7 percent. followed by polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) at 5 percent. Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) membranes
were Rnked at 4 percent. and all others at 5 percent.
Puncture ad 1ear. Puncture/tear deficiencies were
reported on only 7 percent of the total roofs observed as
recorded in Table 3. However, the significant trend occurring
from 1983 to 1988, as indicated by the standard deviation
value of 5_6, may well be a cause for further investigation.
Seemingly, puncture and tear problems continue
to increase from low values of about 1 percent reported
in 1983 to high values of over 12 percent in 1988. The large
jump apparent after 1985 is not explained by Project Pinpoint
data-
Fig. 10 displays a chart giving the relative distribution
of the puncture/tear problems observed according to the
membrane type- EPDM membranes were high in the number
reported at 47 percent. The PVC materials were a distant
second at 22 percent. Polymer-modified bituminous
products were involved 13 percent of the time, G5PE at 8
percent and CPE at 4 percent.
Flashing. Flashing problems are not necessarilyassociated
with the type of membrane employed. but rather with
the types of materials used for the flashing itself. Nonetheless,
the survey form addresses the flashing problem area.
It associates flashing with the membrane used, assuming
the materials are similar in nature. Table 3 shows that about
11 percent of the reported problem roofs had defective
flashings. The standard deviation value is on the high side,
but this primarily results from two low problem yeaTS.
Otherwise, the frequency of problems observed remains
somewhat constant.
EPDM membrane roofs lead in the number of flashing
deficiencies reported by respondents. The PVC membrane
roofs were next. followed by the modified bitumens, other
membranes, ~PE and CPE in that order. The market share
of problem jobs again must be taken into consideration.
Wind.Related Problems. Wind uplift problems were
reported, on average, to be associated with about 5 percent
of all single-ply problem jobs covered in this report. Note
the low standard deviation value of 0.6, which indicates that
little variation has occurred in wind-related problem frequency
over the six-year reporting period.
Other Problem Are... In addition to completing the
multiple

observed. Actually, hundreds of responses were received
for the single-ply category. This section briefly summarizes
and condenses the major remarks submitted by the respon.
dents. It provides the reader with a flavor of responses submitted
for the EPDM, modified bitumen, PVC and other
single-ply membrane roofs. Obviously, the information is
submitted in qualitative and narrative form. Consequently,
trends are difficult to establish. Nonetheless, major
problem areas are sometimes identified.
Because of the large number of EPDM roofs observed,
these membrane systems stimulated a very large response.
The comments ranged from "abuse" to "wet insulation."
The more common complaints were related to the thermal
insulation component of the roof system. Next in line were
complaints dealing with the fastenen or with fastener-related
deficiencies. Examples of fastener problems described
included "mckout, " "corroded," "~," "not holding," and
"punctures caused by backout of fastener ." Moisture condensing
and collecting under the membrane was frequently
cited. In addition, a recurring complaint was of "general
or localized leakage" resulting from unidentified sources.
Although the question on lap deficiencies was included in
the survey form, supplementary comments were often made
citing deficiencies with the leaking or failed factory-made
seams. One respondent provided this rather blunt declaration:
"Ants eating through rubber membrane."
The modified bituminous membrane systems also elicited
major complaints centered around the general term,
"delamination." These problems included separations between
insulation and base sheets and the delamination of
the aluminum skins and various surface coatings from the
modified sheet. Lap separation, fishmouthing and membrane
splitting were mentioned in a number of cases. Very
few explanations were received concerning fastener- or
insulation-related problems.
Polyvinyl chloride problem jo~ precipitated several comments
expanding on questions posed in the survey format.
The majority of comments on this product centered about
the shrinkage and embrittlement of the membrane material-
"Splitting," "shattering," and "pulling at flashings and
edges" were among the descriptive phrases used. However,
defects related to corrosion and backing out of fasteners
were mentioned only infrequently. Very few complaints
were received about laps, insulations, punctures and tears
with PVC membrane roofs.
The comments associated with CSPE, CPE, PIB and ECB
membrane materials were few in number and they are similar
in nature to those of the other single-ply materials.
Moisture condensation under membranes, fastener-related
defects and defective materials were most often cited.
Material and design aspects of single-ply problem jobs
In reponing on problem jobs, the respondents were invited
to supply information about building use, roof system
components, and the design configurations of the roofsysterns
on which the problems were o~ed. A compilation
of this information on the 2,283 problem jo~ is summarized
in tabular form for the years 1983 to 1988. For the
reader's convenience, the maximum, minimum and aver-
age values are also provided. Where applicable, the standard
deviation values are shown to indicate the amount of
spread in the data from year to year. This number can indicate
significant trends. As previously mentioned, it may
not be statistically valid to equate problem job data to other
information such as baseline data on a short-term basis.
However, it is interesting to compare trends taking place
in these data sources over a six-year period. Ultimately, the
information based on the analysis of the data will be most
useful for identifying specific problem trends with specif.
ic design and material aspects of the roof construction.
Building Uie. The values supplied in Table 5 relate
single-ply problem jom with the type of building covered.
At first blush, the relatively high numbers of -'.3 and 4.5
calculated for the standard deviation of the commercial and
educational buildings may seem to be worthwhile. But a
glance at the individual year results from 198-' to 1988
demonstrates that little trend has occurred, nor do the
results, on average, differ appreciably from the six.year baseline
results.
Project 1Ype. Two rather important observations stand
out from a review of the data in Table 6. These trends are
graphically illustrated in Fig. 11. First, 40 percent of the
2,28-' problem jom were associated with single-ply memo
branes applied in a re-cover operation directly on existing
roofs without the benefit of tear-off. Next, a comparison
of the 49 percent problem job incidence on re-cover projects
does not compare favorably with the 15 percent six-year
average of all projects as revealed in the baseline results.
It should also be noted that reroofing accompanied by tear.
off as well as new projects seemed to be much less problem
prone than the re-cover projects.
Structural Decks. The distribution of problem jobs
among the various types of structural decks is demonStrated
in Table 7. It is difficult to draw definitive conclusions
about the influence of the roof deck type on the frequency
of problem occurrence. However, the data presented appear
to coincide extremely well with the use frequency as
presented in the baseline results.
lD8UIatiOD 1Ype. Unfortunately the information on insulation
types, presented in Table 8, encom~ only a
limited three-year period- For unknown reasons. these data
were either not reported or misplaced in handling. Nonetheless,
it is apparent that 2-' percent of problems were observed
on roofing membranes placed over polyisocyanurate
board, 18 percent over wood fiberboard and 14 percent
over polystyrene. It is further noted that 12 percent of
problem jom were reported on projects on which the insulation
was omitted.
Single-Ply Membrane 1Ype. EPDM membranes were associated
with a six-year average of almost 49 percent of the
2,28-' single-ply problem jobs. This is reported in Table 9
and graphically illustrated in Fig. 12. The high-water mark
of nearly 54 percent took place in 1984. Next in the
problem ranking came the polymer-modified bituminous
membrane roofs at 21 percent of problemjom observed.
The year-to-year percentages varied from 17 percent in 1984
to almost 28 percent in 1983. The polyvinyl chloride membrane
material roofs were ranked third, appearing in 14
4

percent of the single.ply problem jobs. Of the remaining
16 percent, the CSPE membranes accounted for about 5
percent, and all other membranes added up to 11 percent.
The standard deviation values among the individual year
data points for the membrane types indicate that no profound
trends have occurred. Unfortunately, this well may
be interpreted to mean that the industry has not been suc.
cessful in reducing the problem incidence with single'ply
membranes.
Other Information. The information described in the
above section provides examples of problem roof profiles
in Project Pinpoint. Other supplementary information
about each problem job is obtained from the survey form
and entered into the NRCA computer's data bank. The
areas are listed in Fig. 1 to give the reader a sense of the
completeness of the data and information available for each
roof. The methods used for the attachment of the mem.
brane and insulation are provided. The type of surfacing
is identified. The supplemental information in

Membnne Distortions. This category covers three types
of interrelated defects. These are commonly referred to as
buckling, ridging and wrinkling. The tenns are, for the most
part, interchangeable. Table 11 reflects an average report.
ed value of some 1-' percent over the years 1983 to 1988.
As with other membrane.related problems, the data indi.
cate that there has been little change in the incidence of
these deficiencies over the six-year period.
I1uhing Deficiencies. Table 11 indicates that 10 percent
of the reported built-up roof problem roofs had experien(:ed
some type of flashing defect. The 4.2 value of the
standard deviation given in the table immediately gives a
hint that a trend is occurring. Unfortunately, that trend appean
to be toward an increasing problem frequency. The
question now arises as to why Is it because substitute
materials replaced the perfonnance-proven asbestos flashing
systems that have served so successfully for many decades
Perhaps the answers to these and similar questions
need to be explored. The Project Pinpoint data may well
provide a good place to start.
Membrane Slippage. Membrane slippage was reported
on nearly 5 percent of the problem jobs covered in the survey
results. The data in Table 11 do not suggest any trend
from 198-' to 1988, although higher values were evident during
the latter years, with 6 percent of the 221 problem jobs
reported in 1986.
Wmd-ReI8d Defeda. The respondents reported that -' percent
of the 1,-'54 problem jo~ experienced some type of uplift
problem. Agdjn the data shown in Table 11 do not rdIect
any particular trend in the data rcmge over the six.year period.
Other Problem Areas. The fact that nearly one-quarter
of all problems suffered with built-up roofs were not quantified
is some cause for concern. It is unfortunate that, because
of space limitations, the specific questions on the
multiple-choice survey form cannot address all the possible
problem areas that actually occur in the service life of
a roofing system. Consequently, the questions are limited
to the more common deficiencies associated with bitumin.
ous built-up roof systems. However, the respondents are
given the opportunity to report other problems tl-:at they
believed to be worthy of note. Although the information
provided on the other problems was difficult to deal with
prior to the improved NRCA computer capabilities, that
is no longer the case. This section briefly summarizes the
various narrative responses received about problem jobs
involving organic, fibrous glass, asbestos and polyesterreinforced
built.up roof membrane systems.
The complaints with the organic reinforced membrane
systems ranged from "abuse" to "wet insulation." "Interply
separation" was the most frequently mentioned defect,
often occurring between the insulation and the sheet memo
brane. This was followed closely by apparent "blistering"
at the same location. General leakage for unexplained reasons
was another complaint. A number of deficiencies con.
cerning the mopping and surfacing bitumen were
described. These complaints generally centered on the bitumen's
quality or tendency to flow or drip. One rather ex.
plicit comment that caught the author's eye was, "Screwed
up the roof with resaturanto"
Glass-reinforced membranes elicited a greater number
and variety of comments than those reported for the organic
felt membranes. However, as expected. they were similar
in nature. "Leab" was by far the complaint most often
made. These leaks were caused by undefined and unidentified
sources. The quality of asphalt and coal tar products
was also mentioned. Insulation-induced or -related problems
were frequently described as "wet insulation," "buckling
and curling," "urethane is growing," "rooing" and "deterioration."
"Facer separations" with insulations were also
mentioned occasionally.
The comments received about asbestos- and polyesterreinforced
membrane problem jobs were fewer in number.
This is probably because of the relatively small number
reported on during the survey. Nonetheless, the problems
described were about the same as those reported for the
other reinforcements. Perhaps the most direct comment
came about a roof in the asbestos category: "Roof failed
after second week." However, no mention was forthcoming
of how the roof failed.
Material and design upeds of built-up roof problem jobs
The respondents were asked to supply infonnation about
building use, roof system components, and the design configurations
of these problem roofs. A compilation of the
infomlation given on the 1,354 problem jobs is summarized
in tabular and graphical fonn for the years 1983 to 1988.
For the reader's convenience, the maximum, minimum and
average values are provided. Where applicable, a standard
deviation value is given to indicate the amount of data
spread from year to year. This number can indicate significant
trends.
The examples used here were selected because they provide
a rather simplified overview of the makeup of the
problem roofs the respondents reported on during the survey.
However, the roof profile information included here
is certainly not all inclusive. For example, the computet data
bank contains such additional infomlation as surfacings,
insulation and membrane attachment, number of plies of
felt, bitumen classification and the like. Consequently, it
is now possible to create a rather complete profile of specific
problem roofs-
Buildin« Use. Table 13 gives data that relate building use
to problems observed. A summary review shows trends of
little or no significance. Commercial/industrial building
types account for more than 60 percent of the problem
roofs, followed by educational and residential buildings at
19 percent and 13 percent respectively.
Project 'IYpe. The relatively high 6.7 standard deviation
value for new construction projects given in Table 14
prompts a closer look at what trends have taken place over
the past six years. It appears that, with the exception of the
near 40 percent figure in 1987, there has been a downward
trend for problem occurrence with new construction
projects. On the other hand, an increase in problem frequency
seems to be taking place in the re-cover without tearoff
project type- It is worthy of note that the average value
of 17 percent is considerably below the 40 percent in new
construction and 39 percent in the reroofing project areas.
6

Fig. 17 gives the distribution of project type with problem
roofs from 1983 to 1988.
Structural Decks. As expected, Table 15 shows that the
majority of problem jobs were reported to be associated
with roofing systems placed over metal decks. These decks,
on average, accounted for 43 percent of the total problem
job count. Although the standard deviation value of 5.5 appears
quite high, no trend, either up or down, is apparent.
Problem jobs on wood and concrete type decks followed,
showing results of 27 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
Insulation 1Ype. Table 16 presents data on the distribution
of insulation types that were used in the roofing systems
on which problems were reported by the respondents.
Perhaps the more striking trends here have to do with uninsulated
problem roofs and those the respondents classed
as "other." First, almost one-quarter of the problem jobs
were on uninsulated decks. This showed no perceptible
change over the six.year period. Next, the large standard
deviation value, 12.6, for the "other" insulations indicated
a marked decline from the nearly 37 percent reported in
1983 to about 3 percent in 1988. Mineral board (16 percent),
fibrous glass (14 percent), wood fiberboard (10 percent)
and polyisocyanurate (9 percent) types followed in
problem frequency in that order.
Roofs insulated with a combination of materials or with
a composite board also were apparently not immune from
problems. Again, it is highly improbable that valid conclusions
on specific products can be drawn from the data reported
here. The reason is simply because the data have not
been adjusted to reflect the market share of each product
in use. However, the broad conclusion may be made that
all insulation types have been associated with problem roofs.
Bitumen 1Ype. Seventy-five percent of the problem builtup
jobs used hot-applied asphalt as the mopping bitumen
while some 14 percent were constructed with hot-applied
coal tar products. It is assumed that the "other adhesives"
category included cold-applied materials and the like. No
panicular trends are apparent for either the asphalt or the
coal tar materials, but there appears to be a steady decline
in problem jobs employing the other types of adhesives.
Although the information on specific ASTM specification
types of asphalt and coal tar bitumens are not recorded
here, th.ese data are available in the computer's data bank.
Reinforcement 1Ype. Table 17 gives information about
the use of various reinforcing felts in problem roofs. There
appears to be an increasing trend, over the six-year period,
of problems associated with glass-based felts. Glass felts
were involved with about 47 percent of all built-up problem
jobs reponed, as illustrated in Fig. 18- Conversely, a decline
is noted with problem jobs involving organic felts, averaging
about 30 percent. One can speculate on the reasons for
these opposing trends since it is factual, from Project Pinpoint
baseline results, that the use of glass felts has increased
dramatically over the last decade. The use of organic felts
has declined just as dramatically.
In 1988, asbestos-based felts stilI accounted for more than
7 percent of problem jobs. This is in spite of the fact that
asbestos felts have not been produced in the United States
for several years. However, the problem incidence is down
,
from 21 percent of the problem jobs in 1983. The relatively
high standard deviation numbers in Table 17 reflect the
respective trends. The bottom line here seems to be that
the industry is continuing to experience problems with
built-up roofs reinforced with each type of material.
Slope. The information recorded in Table 18 indicates
that 62 percent of the problem jobs had roof slopes of less
than IA inch per foot run. No trends seem to be apparent
in this category-
Other Infonnation. The above information has been
selected as examples of information available from Project
Pinpoint's data bank. In addition, other supplementary information
about each problem job is obtained from the survey
form and entered into NRCA's computer. As listed Fig.
2, the methods used for the attachment of both the membrane
and insulation are provided as well as the type of
surfacing. Other supplemental information includes insulation
thickness as well as the name of the insulation's
manufacturer. The age of the roof and the size of the area
involved with the problem is also stated, along with the
name of the membrane's manufacturer and the specification
to which the roof was constructed.
Part 3. Baseline information
Before discussing Project Pinpoint's baseline data, it might
be appropriate to mention this infonnation's relationship
to that found in NRCA's annual market survey. The market
survey gauges business trends occurring in the commercia1
and residential roofing markets for the past year and the
forthcoming year. This information sometimes appears to
be in conflict with Project Pinpoint's baseline information.
For example, different market shares of various roofing
materials are reported in the 1988/1989 market survey and
the same year's Project Pinpoint results. The proportion of
new roofing to reroofing in the two surveys is also different.
The question that naturally arises is which NRCA program
gives the more valid information The answer may
well be that, in spite of the apparent differences, both give
statistically correct information. It's just that two different
data bases are used to arrive at the conclusions. The NRCA
annual survey information is based on a dollar value of the
projects reported on and estimates made. The Project Pinpoint
baseline results are based on specific jobs under construction
on specific dates. These reports do not consider
dollar value or size of job. Both sets of data are valuable,
but each must be considered in light of the reported information.
Project Pinpoint collects its baseline data once each quarter.
At this time, 25 percent ofNRCA's contractor membership,
selected at random, is requested to provide baseline
information on roofing projects that are under way on a
specific date of that quarter. Fig. 3 exemplifies the type of
information requested. Once analyzed, the baseline returns
serve as indicators of material and design trends that are
occurring within the commercial/industrial segment of the
U.s. roofing industry. The 4,200 projects reported on from
1983 to 1988 may be considered a small percentage of all
jobs underway. However, the baseline information is based
on hard data, provided in real time by NRCA contractor

memben who were actually and directly involved in the
specific project. These data are facta, not opinions. They
are representative of roofing jobs located in aU geographical
areas of the United States. Further, the information is
supplied by respondents representing large and small firms,
covering large, medium and small projects.
The baaeline data for 1982 to 1988 are listed here in tabular
form. They are expressed as a percentage of the total
baseline job count for each specific year. For the reader's
convenience, maximum, minimum, average and standard
deviation values are provided. In addition, several figures
are included to complement the tabular data in order to
iUustrate trends that have occurred from 198-' to, and including,
1 988.
'Iioends in roof membrane materials used
The bottom line in membrane use trends is that job reports
involving single-plies, including polymer-modified bitumens,
continue to increase. They comprised almost 70 percent
of the market in 1988. The more dramatic trends over
the six-year period are the decline in the use of bituminous
built-up membranes and the increasing use of EPDM
material.,. These trends are immediately apparent from the
high standard deviation values given in Table 19. Fig. 19
graphically illustrates the decline in built-up membrane use
from nearly 60 percent in 1983 to a low point of some 36
percent in 1988- An unexplained deviation from this trend
occurred in 1987- Conversely, EPDM membrane use advanced
from 23 percent in 1983 to 45 percent of the total
jobs reported in 1988. The data indicate a slight increase
in the number of jobs using modified bituminous materials,
from 10 percent in 1983 to about 13 percent in 1988.
Other trends show jobs using PVC membranes declining
and jobs using "other" membrane materials increasing to
almost 8 percent in 1988. The "other" category, as used
here, includes CPE, ~PE, pm, neoprene, ECB and the like.
Table 20 provides data on 2,212 single-ply membrane
jobs. In brief, the data show that the reported jobs using
EPDM and "other" materials continues to increase while
the modified bitumens and PVCs decrease.
Table 21 presents data on reinforcements used in builtup
membrane construction. This information was obtained
from 1,135 roofing project reports. It is quite apparent from
the data illustrated in Figs. 2Oa and 2Ob that jobs using fibrous
glass reinforcement as the plying felts have increased
from 74 percent in 1983 to nearly 88 percent in 1988-
Organic-based felts continue to show declining use, dropping
to 6 percent of the reported jobs in 1988. The number
of reported jobs using polyester felts shows no
significant change, remaining at about a 6 percent level.
As expected, the use of asbestos-based reinforcing felts has
failed to appear in the Project Pinpoint returns since 1984-
ASTM Standard Specification D-312, Type ill asphalt
continues to be the plying adhesive of choice for the application
of built-up roof membranes, as illustrated in Table
22. In 1988, it was employed in 71 percent of all jobs reported
on. Type II asphalt was next in line. Coal tar pitch and
coal tar bitumen appear in about 10 percent of the 1988
hot-applied bituminous membrane job reports.
'nends in IQOf deck aDd iDP~tioD materi8I8
Table 23 reflects metal's continuing domination of the Sb"\JC.
tural roof deck reports. This is based on data received for
4,200 low-slope projects. The relatively high standard deviation
vaJue of 5.5 is indicative of the increasing use from
86 percent of the job reports in 1999 to 51 percent in 1988.
The data show slight decreaaea in the case of concrete and
wood structural decking material, each having somewhat
less than a 20 percent share of the reports in 1988. Other
deck. types, including gypsum at 5 percent, accounted for
the remaining materials employed. Table 24 shows that 22
percent of the 851 roofs reported on were not insulated
in 1983. However, a rather significant trend toward the in.
creasing use of insulation over the six-year span reduced
that value to less than 10 percent in 1988.
Some deviations in the Project Pinpoint insulation data
(the high standard deViation value of 10.9 for the "other"
type insulations, for instance) reported in Table 24 are not
readily explainable. Nonetheless, some important trends do
seem apparent, as demonstrated in Fig. 21. Among the more
prominent trends is the increasing use of polyisocyanurate
and polystyrene cellular foam materials, which appeared
in about 35 percent of the total insulation reports for 1988.
The polyisocyanurate materials have a substantial lead over
all other insulation types. Respondents reported its use on
nearly 24 percent of 689 projects covered in the 1988
returns. The polystyrene materials accounted for about 12
percent of the insulation reports. The fibrous glass materi.
als showed a declining trend from 15 percent in 1983 to
about 7 percent in 1988. Some of the more conventional
insulation materials of past decades, such as mineral and
wood fibrous board products, indicated slight declines from
1983, but each continues to show up in about 11 percent
of the job reports. A moderate increase in data reporting
the use of a combination of materials may well indicate the
increasing use of a double layer of insulation in accordance
with the currently preferred practice.
"Ii'ends in design parameters
Several design parameters of the jobs under construction
are asked for in the Pinpoint survey. The data concerns such
design infomlation as roof slope, use of vapor retarders,
the end use of the building and the project type. This in.
fomlation complements the material-oriented infomlation
reported above.
The infonnation derived from the data in Table 25 reo
flects little change in the end use of the buildings being
roofed. Although the values fluctuate somewhat from year
to year, the average values appear to be good indicators
of building use. Commercial and industrial building types
are consistently the leaders, followed by educational and
residential in that order.
The type of roofing project is of considerable interest
to the roofing industry because of its impact on perfor.
mance. Table 26 shows data obtained in this area from 1983
to 1988. On average, about 37 percent of the 4,200 base.
line projects reported on over the six.year period were new
construction. Little if any significant trend is apparent. The
reader is referred to Figs. 22a and 22b, which portray
8

changes that occurred from 1989 to 1988. Reroofing proj.
ects that included a complete tear-off of the existing roof
covering accounted for about -'6 percent of projects under.
way in 1988. A downward trend from almost 50 percent
of the total in 1983 is apparent. Conversely, re-cover proce.
dures, in which the new membrane and insulation are suo
perimposed on the existing roof, showed a reverse trend,
increasing from 11 percent in 1983 to 22 percent in 1988.
These trends are reflected in the high standard deviation
values of 6.1 and 6.7, respectively.
Roof slope is considered another important element
related to the perfonnance of the roofing system. A rule
of thumb is "the more the slope, the better the perfor.
mance." Project Pinpoint results as recorded in Table 27
indicate that, on average, more than 50 percent of all 4,200
low-slope roof projects reported on had slopes of less that
% inch per foot. The data show no particular trend in this
design factor over the period covered in the report.
Part 4. Summary and comment
The primary objective of Project Pinpoint as initially perceived
by NRCA was to provide the U.s. roofing indwtry
with an early-warning procedure to flag potentially serious
problems before they reach epidemic proportions- For example,
an early-warning system might have helped us avoid
the so-called "two-ply disaster" we experienced in the 1950s
and 19601. The question that arose was whether Project Pinpoint
was meeting its objectives- The negative answer to that
question was based on a study of the data collected over
the 10 or more years concerning the frequency and nature
of roofing problems experienced. These data indicated that,
from year to year, the ranking of specific problems appeared
in the same order-As an example, blistering and
splitting defects are constantly at the top of the problem
list for built-up membrane roofing. In the single-ply classification,
lap defects. puncture/tear and membrane shrinkage
always appear to be the front runners. If, through
Project Pinpoint. these problems were related to cause such
as material. design and application parameters, and were
identified and addressed promptly and efficiently, there
should be a decline in their incidence from year to year.
NRCA's current computer capability has brought about
a dramatic increase in Project Pinpoint's diagnostic pow.
er. Because all current data are now in the system and new
data is added each quarter, the true power and versatility
of the data base can be realized. Software programs are
available to make data retrievable and analysis much more
efficient. An important feature of the computer makes it
feasible to perform real time comparisons of the various
factors contained in the data base. NRCA researchers now
have the capability to run cross-tabulations on such factors.
As an example, the brand of the membranes and insula.
tions used can be identified with the types of problems ob.
served. The computer system also provides the capability
to perfOrDl data analysis in short periods of time to answfi
industry questions as they occur. In summary, NRCA's
Project Pinpoint has amassed a history of roofing informa.
tion on trends and problems in roofing unlike any other
in the industry. Using NRCA's state-of-the.art computer
capability and broad data base, Project Pinpoint is able to
fully realize its initial objectives.
In conclusion, the data and information contained in the
report were selected as examples of how the data may be
analyzed to obtain useful information. It iUustrates how the
incidence of problem areas can be identified. It tracks industry
trends with respect to material and design parame.
ters. The horizons for use of Project Pinpoint data for the
identification of areas of successes and concerns in the roof.
ing industry appear unlimited. However, the project wiD not
reach its run potential until procedures are implemented in
putting the data to work to serve all segments of the roof.
ing industry. This provides NRCA with its next challenge.
9

Problem job report tables (1-18)
Single-ply
Built-up
Baseline
851
185
233
654
253
202
Table 1. Total job count-Project Pinpoint 1983-1988
711
255
231
646
475
221
649
617
272
689
518
195
4200
2283
1354
1249 1109 1197 1342 1538 1402 7837
1988 Total Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Problem/job ratio 1.3 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 ~
1.7 1.7
T8ble 2. Singl.py problems and problem jobs
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Single-ply probfem areas 165 253 255 475 617 518 817 165 381
Table 3. Single-ply problem areas (peroent ~ pnmIem jobs)
Table 4. Single-ply litigation status (percent of problem jobs)
10

Single-ply building use
New construction
Reroofing with tear-off
Re-cover without tear-off
Other
24.8
39.4
30.9
4.8
Total
- 100.0 -- 100.0 100.1
Ta~ 6. SinQle--ply problem jobs va. project type (percent of pro~em jobs)
28.5
39.4
47.2
6
24.0
26.1
30.9
1.6
26.2
29.7
40.3
3.8
82.6 100.0
1.7
4.6
5.2
1.5
Concrete
Lightweight concrete
Gypsum
Metal
Wood
Other
20.9
1.2
1.6
49.0
18.6
8.7
24.8
0.0
2.4
43.2
21.6
8.0
24.8
5.3
6.2
49.0
21.6
12.7
18.9
0.0
1.6
40.4
17.5
5.6
21.0
3.0
3..7
44.3
19.1
8.9
1.9
1.9
1.5
2.7
1.3
2.2
Total 100 100
- - -
Table 7. Single-ply problem job vs. strudural deck type (percent of problem jobs)
Wood fiberboard
Mineral board
Fiberous glass
Polystyrene
Polyurethane
Polyi~an urate
ComposIte board
Combination
Other
No insulation
18.3
3.7
4.8
14.5
2.7
26.8
1.2
10.6
6.0
11.4
18.3
4.7
6.9
19.4
5.5
26.8
2.6
10.6
7.4
12.4
Total 100
Table 8. Single-ply problem jOb vs. insUlation tYPe (pe~ of p~em jobS)
16.5
3.6
4.8
14.5
2.7
17.7
1.2
6.8
5.6
10.7
17.5
4.0
6.0
17.0
3.7
23.2
2.1
8.7
6.3
11.5
5.1
1.2
1.8
5.0
1.4
7.4
0.7
2.9
1.9
3.4
II

Modified bituminous
Polyvinyl chloride
EPDM
CPE
Pie
CSPE
Other or unknown types
27.9
17.6
42.4
1.8
1.2
1.8
7.4
16.6
14.6
53.8
2.4
3.2
2.0
7.5
Total 100.1
100.2
Table 9. Single-ply probfem job -VB. membranene ~ (percent:o:r ~Ie~)
19.3
13.9
49.8
3.5
1.0
7.9
4.6
27.9
17.6
53.8
3.5
3.2
8.0
8.8
16.6
9.6
42.4
0.0
1.0
1.8
4.6
20.9
14.4
48.5
2.3
1.7
5.3
7.0
3.6
2.5
3.4
1.1
0.8
2.5
1.3
Problem job count 231 221 272 195
1.7 1.5 1.4
Table 10. Built-up problems and problem jobs
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
-
Table 11. Built-up problem areas (percent of pro~em jobs)
Total 99.9 99.1 99.5 98.7 99
- Table 12. Built-up job litigation status (percent of problem jobs)
12

Built-up building use 233 202 231 195
Industrial
Commercial
Educational
Residential
Other
28.8
38.2
17.6
14.2
1.1
31.2
32.7
19.8
12.9
3.5
32.5
28.6
19.5
11.7
7.8
29.0
34.4
15.4
14.5
6.6
25.4
35.7
21.0
13.6
4.4
29.2
33.8
21.0
11.3
4.6
32.5
38.2
21.0
14.5
1.8
25.4
28.6
15.4
11.3
1.1
29.4
33.9
19.1
13.0
4.7
2.2
2.9
2.0
1.2
2.1
Total 99.9 100.1 100.1 99.9 100.1 99.9
--- - - -
Table 13. Built-up problem jobs vs. building use (percent of problem jobs)
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Built-up prqect type 233 202 231 221 272 195
New construction
Reroofing with tear.off
Re-cover without tear-off
Other
48.1
39.9
6.4
5.6
49.0
3>.7
16.3
2.0
36.4
42.9
18.2
2.6
33.5
41.6
19.9
5.0
39.7
33.8
19.5
6.97
31.8
39.5
22.1
6.7
49
42.9
22.1
6.97
31.8
~.1
6.4
2.0
39.8
38.1
17.1
4.8
6.7
4.4
5.1
1.9
Total 100 98.0 100.1 100.0 100.0 100.1
Table 14. Built-up p~ jobs vs. prqect type ~ f1 problem jobs)
1983 1984
1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Built-up deck type
233 202 231 221 272 195
- -
Concrete
Lightweight concrete
Gypsum
Metal
Wood
Other
17.2
5.6
3.4
43.8
21.5
8.6
12.9
1.0
3.0
51.0
23.8
7.4
18.2
a/
1.3
33.8
32.5
14.3
17.6
4.5
2.7
38.5
28.1
8.6
15.1
7.0
2.9
44.5
24.3
6.2
12.8
2.6
5.1
46.2
29.3
4.1
18.2
7.0
5.1
51.0
32.5
14.3
12.8
0.0
1.3
33.8
21.5
4.1
15.6
3.5
3.1
43.0
26.6
8.2
2.2
2.5
1.1
5.5
3.7
3.1
1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Buih-up insulations 233 202 231 221 272 195
Wood fiberboard
Mineral board
Fiberous glass
Polystyrene
Polyurethane
Pofyisocyanurate
Composite board
Combination
Other
No insulation
7.3
0.0
16.3
0.4
6.9
0
0.4
8.2
36.5
24.0
6.4
1.0
10.4
2.5
10.9
8.4
6.9
5.0
24.8
23.7
11.7
0.0
11.7
0.0
5.2
7.8
1.3
14.3
19.4
28.6
11.8
14.2
13.6
3.2
8.4
10.4
3.2
10.9
4.4
19.5
11.0
17.3
14.3
2.9
4.4
10.3
4.8
10.3
4.8
19.9
10.3
17.4
14.9
0.5
3.1
8.7
7.7
10.8
2.5
23.6
11.8
17.4
16.3
3.2
10.9
10.4
7.7
14.3
~.5
28.6
6.4
0.0
10.4
0.0
3.1
0.0
0.4
5.0
2.5
19.5
9.8
8.3
13.5
1.6
6.5
7.6
4.1
9.9
15.4
23.2
2.1
8.1
2.0
1.3
2.8
3.5
2.7
2.8
12.6
3.0
l~

Built-up reinforcements 233 202 231 195
Glass-base felts
Organic-base felts
Asbestos-base felts
Other reinforcements
30.0
40.8
21.0
8.1
40.1
37.6
12.9
9.4
81.0
19.5
1.3
18.0
49.8
26.7
11.8
11.6
48.9
00.1
7.0
13.9
52.8
28.7
7.2
13.4
61.0
40.8
21.0
18.0
30.0
19.5
1.3
8.1
47.1
30.2
10.2
12.4
9.8
7.1
8.1
3.2
Total 99.9 100 99.8 99.9 99.9 100.1
-- ~
Table 17. Built-up problem jobs VB. reinfOfcement type (percent d' problem jobs)
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Built-up roc1 slope 233 202 231 221 272 195
No slope
Less than Y. inch per ~
Greater than v. inch m 1 ird1
period
Greater than 1 inch per ~
Other
28.8
39.5
23.6
1.3
5.5
20.2
41.6
31.2
3.0
4.0
16.9
40.3
36.4
0.0
6.4
19.5
42.0
26.2
4.5
6.9
11.8
53.3
24.3
3.3
7.3
13.8
48.7
29.2
4.1
6.1
28.8
53.3
36.4
4.5
7.3
11.8
39.5
23.6
0.0
4.0
18.5
43.9
28.5
2.7
6.0
5.5
4.8
4.4
1.8
1.1
Total 98.7
- 100 100 - 99.1-
100.0 99.9
Table 18. Built-up problem jobs VB. roof ~ (percent d problem jobs)
14

Baseline report tables (19-27)*
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. ~. Std. Dev.
59.5
22.6
10.3
4.0
3.5
53.1
27.7
11.0
3.7
5.5
48.1
31.9
9.3
4.6
5.9
41.2
37.8
13.9
2.3
5.1
46.5
33.0
12.2
2.2
6.3
32.5
45.0
12.5
2.6
7.8
59.5
45.0
13.9
4.6
1.8
32.5
22.6
9.3
2.2
3.5
46.8
33.0
11.5
3.2
5.7
8.5
7.1
1.5
0.9
1.3
100.0 101.0 99.9 100.3 100.1 100.4
-
Teble 18. Baseline trends in membrane use (PefC8nt of baseline jobs)
Baseline singl&-ply
membrane type 345 ~7 369 379 347 465
99.9 100 100 100.8 100.0 100.6
-Other categories include CSPE, CPE, PlB, neoprene, ECS n the like.
Teble 20. Baseline trends In lingie-ply membrane types (P&""C6IR of baseline job ~)
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max.
Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Baseline BUR membrane
type 506 347 342 267 302 224
Glass-base fefts
Organic-base felts
Asbestos-base felts
Other reinforcements
73.5
20.4
2.6
3.6
78.4
14.4
0.6
6.6
87.8
5.7
0.0
6.5
83.0
8.3
0.0
8.3
87.4
4.6
0.0
7.9
87.2
6.2
0.4
6.2
87.8
20.4
2.6
8.3
73.5
4.6
0.0
3.6
82.9
9.9
0.6
6.5
5.3
5.7
0.9
1.5
T~ 100.1 100 100.0 99.6 100.0 100.0
Table 21. Baseline tf8rxjs in BUR membrane relnbcemenIB (percent ~ b8IeIine job count)
-Baseline data is reported 00 a job basIs-nd relative to size or dollar amount
15

Baseline BUR bitumens
Type I
lYpell
Type III
Type IV
Coal tar
281 229 246 251 285
6.0 1.7 - 4.0 0.4
17.8 25.3 28.0 21.1 21.8
66.5 88.1 65.9 64.9 64.2
9.6 4.4 3.7 3.6 2.8
0.4 2.4 6.4 10.9
2.3
11.5
71.4
5.1
9.7
6.0
28.0
71.4
9.6
10.9
0.4
11.5
84.2
2.8
0.0
2.9
20.9
66.9
4.8
5.0
2.1
5.3
2.4
2.2
4.3
TdaJ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
- - -- - ~ --
Table 22. Baseline BUR bitumen type (percent of basetine job count)
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Baseline deck type 851 654 711 646 649 689
Concrete
Lightweight concrete
Gypsum
Metal
Wood
Other
21.6
3.6
4.5
36.6
24.9
9.7
23.5
a/
4.3
39.3
23.1
9.8
26.6
a/
4.2
38.4
25.7
5.1
19.7
5.1
3.9
46.6
17.5
7.2
20.1
3.5
4.9
47.1
16.6
7.7
17.4
2.8
3.5
50.7
19.2
6.5
~I 99.9 100 100 100 99.9 100.1
Note: a/ Lightweight - concrete -- included - wju, concrete.
- - -
Table 23. Baseline trends in deck type (percent of baseline job count)
26.6
5.1
4.9
50.7
25.7
9.8
17.4
0.0
3.5
35.6
16.6
5.1
21.5
2.5
4.2
43.0
21.2
7.7
2.9
1.9
0.4
5.5
3.6
1.7
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min.
Ave.
Std. Dev.
Wood fiberboard
Mineral board
Fibrous glass
Polystyrene
Polyurethane
PoIyisocyanurate
Composite board
Combination
Other
No insulation
7.3
0.1
15.4
6.8
6.5
3.3
1.5
10.3
26.3
22.4
1.6
0.3
14.1
8.1
4.6
9.3
1.1
9.6
22.9
20.9
10.9
0.4
14.3
2.9
3.8
11.4
0.4
4.6
33.7
17.3
10.7
10.8
10.1
11.5
0.8
23.7
2.3
10.5
7.9
11.8
10.3
9.7
10.6
9.2
0.9
21.7
3.5
14.2
5.7
13.7
11.3
11.5
6.9
11.5
0.6
23.5
0.8
17.7
6.9
9.2
11.3
11.5
15..
11.5
6.5
23.7
3.5
17.7
33.7
22..
7.3
0.1
6.9
2.9
0.6
3.3
0.4
4.6
5.7
9.2
9.7
5.4
11.9
8.4
2.9
15:5
1.7
11.2
17.2
15.9
1.6
5.2
3.0
3.0
2.2
7.9
1.0
4.1
10.9
4.8
Total 99.9 99.7 99.7 99.9
Table 24. Baseline trends in insulation use (pefC8nt cX baseline job count)
99.5 99.9
16

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
Baseline building type 851 854 711 646 649 689
Industrial
Commercial
Educational
Residential
Other
28.1
38.5
18.6
13.6
1.2
37.8
31.7
17.3
12.2
1.1
30.4
33.3
15.6
19.6
0.9
33.4
34.7
16.1
11.1
4.8
29.4
36.4
18.2
12.1
3.9
29.8
32.2
20.6
12.3
5.1
37.8
38.5
3>.6
19.8
5.1
28.1
31.7
15.6
11.1
0.9
31.5
34.5
17.7
13.5
2.8
3.2
2.4
1.7
2.9
1.8
T~ 100 100.1 100 100.1 100 100
- -~- - - ~
Table 25. Baseline trends in building use (percent of baseflne job coum)
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Max. Min. Ave. Std. Dev.
TdaI 99.2 100 100.1 100
Table 26. Baseline trends in project type (pefC8nt of baseline job count)
TdaJ 100 100.1 100 100 100.1
Table 27. Baseline roof elope (percent of baseline job cou~)
17

ACTION REQUIREDI
Return to NRCA by
June 30, 1989
PLEASE USE A
SEPARATE FORM FOR
EACH ROOF
)t)ur "PROBLEM JOB" RE-
PORTING IS ESSENTIAL
10 KEEPING PROJECT
PINPOINT an effectiw "early
warring" program.
Please provide the follONing
irjormation on "PROBLEM
JOBS" whk:h haw (x:-
curred in the last th...
month8.
What should be reported
C

ACTION REQUIREDI
Return to NRCA by
June 30, 1989
PLEASE USE A
SEPARATE FORM FOR
EACH ROOF
'\bJr "PROBlEM JOB" RE.
PORTING IS ESSENTIAL
10 KEEPING PROJECT
PINPOINT an e'fective "ear-
Iy warring" program.
Please provide the f~ng
information on "PROBLEM
JOBS" whk:h have occurred
in the last "'1M
n.u."it:"...
What should be reported
C

ACTION REQUIREDI
Return to NRCA by
June 30, 1989
PLEASE USE A
SEPARATE FORM FOR
EACH ROOF
All respondents to this
"Baseline Job Report"
will receive an advance
"Baseline" summary
report. If you require
more" Baseline Job
Report" forma, please
make office machine
copies.
NOTE: Inform.tlon In this
report will not be given to
other contractora without
your prior approval.
Bituminous Built-Up Roof
END USE OF STRUCnR (dJedc w.) MEMBRANE MANUFACTUFER AND SPECIACATION
0 ~ IndJstriai (factory, warehouse, plait, *-)
NUMBER
0 CoovnefcfaI (db. me. r-.Jrart, 8rJX)rt. E.)
0 E~~ (ctud-. ~ c.)
R.-d&-.. (~ ~..a-.. ~ ~. -=')
0 Other --
TYPE OF pM).ECf (dJedc w.)
O(A)N_~
O(C)~~
0 (B) RefOOing with
88i.df
tear.df
0 (D) Repair/reco8ing
~ DEQ( (dJedc w.)
0 O ~ ~ G m O 0 ~ ¥«)od M"
0 L~1t ooncr8 0 Other
F ETAL DECK. WHAT . TIE GIU-. (dJedc ~)
0 (A) 18 or greater 0 (C) 22
0 (8) 20 0 (0) 24 or 1igt8
VAPOR ~
USED (dJedc w.)
0 f~ BilumfQJS 0 (W) N~
0 8 Laminated K~ Paper 0 (X) Other
0 PIastk:
INStA.AT1ON (dJedc~) .
0 (8) (A) ¥«)od Minera fibertX)8rd board 8q. 0 ~ ~'* ~
PefM8 0 ~U1an~
0 ~ D Fibefoos ~ glass 0 type N~used
0 Payu~ne 0 ~~ - -
~ THICKIESS (~ ~)
0 (~ Less than 1- 0 (D) Tapered
0 (8 1-102- 0 M N~~
0 ~ Greater than 2-
none used
MJ.eR OF LAYERS OF INSULATION (dJedc ~)
0 (A) One O(X)~-
0 (8) T"M> 0 M N~~
~ OF INStA.AT1ON (dJedc ~)
f~ M~ f&*'ned ~ Other act8\'8
8 H~ asphalt Looee laid
0 Comanalion mechan- 0 ~ ~
K:aandhd~
adhesiw
INSULATION MANUFACTURER AND BRAND NAME
OR NUMBER
This is a 8ImpIIfIed BASE-
LINE JOB REPORT fOlm.
Please prC7o'ide the follC1Ning
information on ALL jobs in
process as a June 30, 1989.
MEMBRANE TYPE (check«re)
A. BItuminous Built-Up
0 (A) Glass 0 (D) ~
O(B)OfQa..-c
0 (C) Asf>estos
O(X)C**-
8. 3c.-~-;-i
0 (A) Modfied ~ 0 (C) EPDM
0 (B) ~ 0 (X) Other single-ply
NUMBER OF PLIES (died! ~)
A. Bltun*t0U8 Buln-Up
0 (A) T~ 0 ~ FcxJr
0 (8) Ttvee 0 (D) Gf-. than toor
B.Slngte-Ply
O(A)O~ O(8)T~ O(C)Gf88SfIh8ntY«>
..
INTERPLY BITUMEN USED (died! ~)
Bltumlno.8 ~-Up
0 (A) ~Type I 0 (F) CQ8.e. tII1men
(ASTM 0-312)
0 ~
~~~1aA
ASf:*IBJ ~Typell :!YPe III
B ~ Nd'~~~e
0 ~1YP8IV -
O~()tIer
0 ~~Typel
METHOD OF AnACHING (died! one)
0 ~ lJx. M~~y laid fastened
~~~
0 Partially altaChed/mechanicafty fastened
0 ~ adhered
SUfFAClNG (dreck a.)
A. Bltum~ BuIt-Up
0 (A) Aggregate 0 (C) Smd1. ~ asphaI
0 (8) ~ sheet 0 ~ Smd1. ~ oo8i'Ig
B.sqle-flty
0 (A) BaIast 0 (C) Llquld-aJlPied
0 (8) =f:c..!...) ° (W) =ng
8LDPE (dI8Ck one)
i~ ~ 18'.'81 (O~) 0 (0) GIeSer then 1-
0 L.-. than Y4-m. 0 (E) Slope vari88
0 V4- ~ 1-m.
BASE FLASHING (dleck ~)
O ~ B*mrnJS O(D)RliJbef
0 ~ O(E)~
0 Modfied Bitumen
PERIETBt CONDIT1Ot8 (dreck ~)
oip.-waIs
0 Open ea..-gra-.e ~dripedge
0 C G~
0 Coonnalion cI atxNe
IFQRMATM)N ~~SE: NRCA is .-hori28d ~ C;W
~ name ~ a feloN ~ m«nber in comection
with the d8 i~~ in this report.
DYes
DNa
figure 3
20

..
"C
;
E
u
I e
.2
B
'5
I
-
Figure 9 Single-ply defects vs. share of probtem job count
23

Figure 12 Single-ply membrane type vs. problem frequency
Figure 13 Litigation status of built-up problem jobs
~8f than
above (23.4%)
wind related (2.8%)
~-
ftashing
related
.(10.0%)
mem.
Ib~
(4.5%)
wrinkling and
ridging (13.2%)
, blistering
(25.0%)
membrane
splitting (21.1%)
Figure 14 Built-up problem roofs vs. problem frequency
24

Figure 208 Baseline 1983 use of built-up reinforcementype
26