| Summary: | Each of the U.S. armed services branches has a very large inventory of low-slope roofs. Roof repairs and reconstruction work are steadily increasing as the roofs approach the end of their service lives, making it increasingly important to better manage maintenance funds. To ensure the optimum use of these funds, the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USA-CERL) is developing a roofing maintenance management system for low-slope roofs. This work is being performed with the coordi-nation and assistance of the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) and the U.S. Army Facilities Engineering Support Agency (FESA). The system will be developed initially for built-up roofs and will include other roofing systems in the future. The system will be based on a roof condition evaluation procedure which includes a visual inspection survey and nondestructive testing of the roof insulation. The visual inspection will provide a membrane condition index (MCI) and flashing condition index (FCI) which are numerical indicators that reflect the condition of each component in terms of its ability to perform its function, needed level of maintenance and repair, and waterproof integrity. The two condition indexes are calculated based on the type, severity, and density of distress as determined from the visual roof inspection. To obtain repeatable and meaningful condition index values, distress identification and measurement must be standardized.
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