Abstract
Flat roof constructions covered with flexible roofing is a common feature on large buildings, as they are robust and require little maintenance. However, faults in flat roof design or their assembly could lead to costly building damages or defects. A preliminary mapping of main risk factors for flat roof defects has been carried out by studying design, assembly, and maintenance practices. This article is based on semi-structured interviews with actors in the Norwegian building sector between September 2017 and March 2018. The interviews did not target a specific subgroup; a broad and explorative approach was instead chosen in order to seek out opinions from all parts of the supply chain. The goal was to map knowledge and attitudes regarding flat roof faults. A point of particular interest concerned the perceived prevalence of substandard constructions due to counterfeit materials or shoddy building practices. It was found that most roof faults could be attributed to aging or design flaws. Counterfeit materials or shoddy workmanship was perceived to be uncommon among large and well-established companies. However, responders from several backgrounds – manufacturer, municipal and university building owners – suspected that such malpractices might be more common among smaller contractors geared towards the non-professional market. As a whole, the Norwegian roofing industry was perceived by respondents as generally trustworthy and compliant with regulations. However, interview responses suggest further research is required on the practices in the non-professional sector.
Highlights
Flat roofs or “compact roofs” are commonly found on large buildings with a flat roof structure
Flat roof constructions covered with flexible roofing is a common feature on large buildings, as they are robust and require little maintenance
None of the respondents would unequivocally support the notion that the business sector of flat roofs, in general, was significantly more problematic than that of other building parts
Summary
Flat roofs or “compact roofs” are commonly found on large buildings with a flat roof structure These roofs consist of a sandwich structure of vapour protection, insulation, and the roofing itself, built on top of a supporting structure. These types of roof require little maintenance once assembled, while not adding significantly to a building’s overall height, making them more favoured than slanted roofs on large buildings. They are known as “warm roofs”, since the compact structure creates a continuous thermal connection between the interior and exterior surface. An article written by a materials supplier [2] in a technical journal highlights quality problems with flat roofs in Norway in particular
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
