Performance of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Roofing: Results of a Ten-Year Field Study.
Performance of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Roofing:
Results of a Ten-Year Field Study.
(1355 K)
Bailey, D. M.; Foltz, S. D.; Rossiter, W. J., Jr.;
Lechner, J. A.
Challenges of the 21st Century. Roofing Technology,
Fourth (4th) International Symposium. Proceedings.
First (1st) Edition. U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology, U.S. National Roofing
Contractors Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors
Association, National Research Council of Canada,
International Waterproofing Association, CIB, RILEM.
September 17-19, 1997, Gaithersburg, MD, 253-264 pp,
1997.
Keywords:
roofs; polyvinyl chloride; deterioration; field
exposure; low slope roofing; single ply membranes;
stability
Abstract:
The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research
Laboratories (CERL) has recently completed a 10-year
field exposure study of the performance of poly(vinyl
chloride) (PVC) roofing membrane materials. The intent
of the CERL study was to compare the results of
laboratory tests of membrane properties with field
performance. Periodically, over the 10 years, CERL
visually inspected the roofs to evaluate their
performance and removed samples for laboratory
characterization of selected mechanical and physical
properties. The National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) conducted statistical analysis of the
10-year data set. The paper summarizes the results of
the field observations and analyses. Membranes from
three manufacturers were installed at Chanute Air Force
Base, Illinois, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, and Fort
Polk, Louisiana. A major difference in the roof
constructions was that, atChanute, the membranes were
ballasted, whereas at Dugway and Fort Polk, they were
mechanically attached and adhered.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899