eScope™ Roofing
Before We Begin
Information Required to Prepare a Roofing Scope of Work
eScope™ for Roofing determines system configurations, process requirements and recommendations based on several variables that include a wide range of items like geographical location, the type and design of a building, facility use cases, existing roof systems, materials, building code and regulatory requirements, etc., etc., etc.. Granular adjustments to system specifications are based on user options and selections from manufacturers, types of roofs, substrates, material(s) and warranty terms.
What you’ll need to start (and save) a specification:
- Number of Floors (building height)
- Number and Type of Existing Roof Systems
- Substrate Type
- Below Deck Design
- Roof Size (approx.)
- Preferred Material Type
- Preferred Manufacturer*
- Warranty Term
* eScope sets an initial manufacture based on the type of project and material selections.
Default Output:
All commercial roof system specifications default to a Cool Roof Spec with a Warranty of 20 Years.
Users may select different Systems and Warranty Terms as required
- Manufactures Recommended Material Brand
- Three-Part Installation Specification (document)
- Installation Specification Identifier (spec number)
- Description of the Specifications Configuration
- Design and Configuration Details
- Standard Line Items (where applicable)
The Roof System Installation Specification and configuration details described above provide a foundation to automatically enter a scope of work description, communicate technical details regarding the configuration and build a short list of line items to be priced by contractors. Once this data is saved, the SOW Description will automatically populate in a new Scope of Work entry form where users can edit and save a final draft before committing the scope for bid. Equally, individual option items to be priced will be populated in users’ entry form for Line items where all other work items and options should priced independent of the scope.
RFQGuides recommends roofing solutions from manufacturers with Official Three Part Specifications and/or UL Approvals with certification for complete systems applicable to industry standards and requirements of best practices.
Configure eScope™
There are five sections to eScope for Roofing applicable to both commercial and residential roofing.
Sections include:
- Building
- Rooftop Systems
- Roof Size
- Material
- Configuration
Building
Values entered here determine the type of Construction Project and presets other variables within the configuration tool. Most details on the Building tab are imported from previous entries. Users must enter the “Number of Existing Roof Systems” before continuing.
NOTE: FM Global Insured buildings have additional performance requirements
Rooftop Systems
Common rooftop systems and equipment can affect and/or require additional pricing. To facilitate budgeting options and bid price comparison these items are generally priced individually as line items. As selected options they can be included or excluded from the budgets’ bottom line as users require.
Below Deck
Buyers need to be mindful of tenant operations and how various ceiling configurations affect or are affected by waterproofing installations. Warehouse, malls, big box and food production operations with roof substrates visible from the inside of the building may require drop-protection. Select ‘open rafters’ if you would like contractors to price drop-protection.
Note Most open interior configurations should avoid mechanically attached roof system configurations.
Roof Size
The roof size entered here may be an estimate (approximate size of one floor) or taken from a roof report. The roof size combined with its system configuration are used by trade professionals to calculate and analyze contractor bid rates and prices. The final size or that number used to price a roofing project is measured by contractors. RFQ requires contractors to enter their own measurements because not all contractors measure projects equally. This allows each contractors’ bid price to be analyzed individually as well as collectively.
Material
Note selections here automatically adjust selected options in the Configuration tab and may reset all previous settings.
The ‘Types of Roofing Material’ displayed depends on whether a Commercial or Residential roofing type is selected in the Building section. The default or recommended type of roofing material selected depends on the ‘Type of Roofing Project’ and may be influenced regionally by the projects’ location.
Users may select any Type of Roofing, Supplier, Brand and Category of Material.
A list of suppliers that meet RFQ’s minimum specification requirements will be displayed in the Supplier list. eScope may also select a recommended supplier and manufacturer’s brand.
RFQ Guides parses the combination of users selections (including Warranty Term under Configuration) to automatically populate the manufacturers recommended Material Brand along with its Installation Specification Code and/or Descriptions. These provide roofing buyers with all the details contractors need to accurately price the project in accordance with industry approved standards. These references also define the contractor performance requirements in production of an end waterproofing product assembled on site.
See Also: Material Selection Defaults Below
Configuration
Note selections here automatically adjust selected options in the Material tab and may reset all previous settings or invalidate an approved configuration.
Settings displayed on the Configuration tab are dependent on the Type of Roofing selected.
A roof system configuration begins with the Warranty Period. From the buyers point of view, all things roofing approved by UL, CE, Building Codes, Material Manufacturers, etc. etc. are based on a warranty term.
- Default settings for the Warranty Period is Twenty (20) Years.
Selecting an alternate warranty term updates the configuration options of other settings. Unavailable warranty {and configuration options} may clear the manufacturers Brand and Assembly Specification fields.
A Project Type may be selected and can be changed to fit user requirements. The type of existing roof(s) are entered by users and provide contractors with an important pricing metric.
Default settings for Insulation is ‘None‘. However, some manufacturer warranty terms require one to two layers of separator that include one inch of insulation. These configurations will be set automatically. Users may add insulation to meet LEEDS or facility operational requirements as necessary. In all cases, insulation is priced as a line item option for budgeting purposes, bid price comparison and analysis.
See Also: Material Selection Defaults Below
Roofing eScope™ Defaults
Default settings follow industry trends, professional recommendations and best practice to identify requirements for an appropriate UL Approved manufacturers installation specification for the type of roof system selected. NOTE: a default line item for the per square foot cost of deck (substrate) repairs is included in the pricing for all roofing specifications. If users find this not applicable to the project, instruct contractors to enter zero (0) as the rate.
All commercial roof system specifications default to a Cool Roof Spec with a Warranty of 20 Years with options between 10 and 35 year terms. Residential roof system specifications default to a 30 Year Warranty with options and a valid useful life expectation for a 40 year term. All warranty terms are subject to the manufacturers approved configurations. Changes in configuration details may alter the warranty term.
Single-Ply systems default to Mechanically Attached system specifications if not specified by the user. Adhered methods are becoming more common and may be selected as required by users. The Adhered method is required or recommended for concrete decks with some mechanical requirements under certain regulatory requirements.
Color selections default to cool roof white for all commercial application. Color selection for residential waterproofing is up to the user and generally not required to obtain accurate price quotes from contractors. However, some colors including commercial and residential can take more time for delivery. The default color for all single ply systems is white and black for EPDM materials. Note, not all manufacturers produce similar color variations.
Items always added as Line Item Options include insulation and items selected under Rooftop Systems. Use addendums as necessary to clarify and define the scope of those line items further. (i.e.: define a product or the limitation of repairs / replacements).
Roofing Materials & Defaults
Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
Built-Up or asphalt roof systems default to Johns Manville materials and configurations. Additional configurations are forthcoming. Notwithstanding, JM produces the most robust and thorough installation specifications that define contractor performance requirements to protect buyers. Other pre-qualified specifications include Firestone and GAF, application specific Siplast and regional suppliers like Malarky.
Fluid Applied (cold systems)
Fluid Applied roof systems is the default overlay in sunshine states when only one roof system has been installed. RFQ defines an “All Acrylic” as the only viable fluid applied solution because the combination of acrylic over emulsion results in surface layer peeling and routine maintenance requirements. Specifications default to Western Colloid specs as the most robust and thorough written installation specification available.
There are several fluid applied roofing material manufacturers and very few produce nationally. Consult local contractors for other suppliers and compare specifications – specifically the volume of material laid down in gallons per foot. Deviations may be cheaper but they diminish the expected serviceable life of the roof system or increase annual maintenance cost.
Users switching to Single-Ply (SPY) for an overlay should select the Adhered method of application to reduce installation noise and puncture of the existing roof system.
Polyurethane-Foam
Not Recommended – Polyurethane-Foam is generally sold on the false pretense of durability and longevity. The foam requires a waterproofing agent and acrylic coatings are the most popular. The coating must be replaced every seven (7) to eight (8) years to meet assertions of “longevity”. Unfortunately, there is no certification programs for foam as a waterproofing solution and the application of foam is marred by constant annual maintenance requirements.
Single-Ply (SPY)
Single-Ply systems come in several types of membranes including the most popular TPO and PVC. EPDM, the original black single ply is still on the market and today is available in white, tan and gray colors . Thermoplastic variations like PIB and KEE include processing additives that claim performance benefits and are priced accordingly. Carlisle, John Manville and Firestone are the most popular TPO/PVC suppliers with a high number of certified contractors to meet market demand.
Standing-Seam (other metal)
Standing-Seam metal roofing is used in a wide variety of climates and applications from commercial to residential. Very few suppliers offer Three-Part Specifications that cover contractor performance requirements during assembly or installation. RFQ Guides continues to research suppliers that offer 3-part specs and will reduce the list of metal roof material suppliers to those with the recommended specifications. Other metal waterproofing solutions without assembly specifications will remain under the Metal-Other category.
Tile
Tile roofing is installed on sloped roof substrates. Tile configurations are currently under development and will be added to the tool as completed. However, we note consolidation within the material industry and a general absence of details by manufacturer(s). Suppliers tend to reply on a single industry installation standard published by the national association which RFQ references for all tile installations.
Local contractors can help users distinguish between tile manufacturers, material types (clay or concrete tile) and available colors / patterns but RFQ recommends users add batons and granulated underlayment as a line item options when selecting tile roof systems. Batons offer improved drainage and granulated underlayment protects the waterproofing part of the roof from rodent damage and erosion. Contact tile manufacturers for supplier specific updated installation documentation related to your project and include them as references.
Shingles
Shingle roofing is the general standard and RFQ default for sloped roof substrates in both commercial and residential applications. Shingles can be installed on any pitch of sloped roof substrate – including mansard (vertical substrates).
Note: Low slope roofing is a process of manufacturing a roof system onsite. It generally involves the assembly of various components into a single continuous layer of waterproofing defined by its internal thickness. Slope roofing involves mechanically fastening end products to the substrate. Both types require roofing technicians to follow approved material configurations, methods and procedures that comply with government regulations, industry standards, manufacturers recommendations and published documentation.
