11 April 2008 AGM KEYNOTE SPEAKERS - SINGLE PLY ROOFING AND SUSTAINABILITY
Speaking at SPRA’s April AGM at Twickenham, the technical chief at NHBC, Peter Crane urged the industry to ensure that designs for integration of solar and wind energy were reliable, that products were of high quality and that specialist contractors knew how to install them properly. “There’s no point in patting yourself on the back for generating hot water or electricity if the durability of the roof is compromised or if the equipment is not durable” was his message. SPRA has set up a task group to bring membrane manufacturers and equipment suppliers together to ensure compatibility, low maintenance and extended lifespan. The potential for off-site manufacture by integration of such technologies with membrane roofing may be tempting but consideration should be given to optimum orientation and anticipated durability. The roof covering may outlast the energy capture equipment so clients will be unwilling to pay for a new roof before it’s due.
SPRA is also working closely with NHBC, which insures around 80% of private residential stock, to ensure that NHBC Standards section 7.1 will be relevant and instructive on such issues at minimum falls, rainwater collection systems and balcony detailing.
SPRA also welcomes certification schemes for installers and encourages its own contractor membership to get involved in the added value offered by roof-level energy capture.
 Jane Thornback, Environmental Policy Advisor at the Construction Products Association, gave a useful overview of the myriad industry organisations, government initiatives and NGO’s that orbit around sustainability. “Choose a target and keep it simple” was her message, whilst “every discussion is a lobby opportunity” once you have decided where to concentrate your efforts. Manufacturers could no longer hide behind shallow claims of environmental benefit. Environmental certification and targets around the key policy areas of Energy use, Materials, Waste and Water were essential.
NEW LEADERSHIP ELECTED FOR 2-YEAR TERM
Membrane manufacturers:
· Anthony Carlyle, Spectraroof
· Phil Jarratt, Sika Roofing
· Peter Stonebridge, Bauder (Chairman Elect)
· James Talman, Protan UK
Associates
· Andrew Dunn, Rockwool
· Philip Heath, Kingspan
· Jonathan Seymour, Latchways
Contractors
· Bryan Hollis, Briggs Amasco (Chairman)
· Brendan McNulty, Delomac Roofing (Chairman of Contractors)
· Bernard Corbishley, Durable Contracts
· Paul Stephenson, Midland Single Ply
Chairman of Technical Committee: Martyn Holloway, SFS Intec
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