Schools and Metal Roofing
The Metal Roof Over
 Our Children's Heads:  Is It Safe?

by Robert Stanford, RRO
 

 

 

 

 

    The construction of American schools has likely provided the single greatest source of growth in the metal roofing industry over the past ten years. The advantages of using metal roofing for schools have proved to be numerous. Quality metal roofing systems, properly installed, are considered life-time roofing systems that may well last the life of the building. The fire resistance of steel is also an asset and protection for building occupants. When problems occur, however, they can be troublesome, costly and, sometimes, catastrophic.
     In the acquisition and installation as well as the repair of metal roofing school districts need to ask the question, "Who is looking out for our interests and providing quality control?"
    School districts all across America are under the assumption and expectation that their architect and general contractor are providing quality control in regard to the overall project and, by extension, the metal roofing system and installation. The architect and general contractor are the primary, and often the only, entities that are signatory by contract to the school district. 
     Faced with a failed metal roof, however, school board members, directors, superintendents and staff experience an epiphany when they realize that neither the general contractor nor the architect accepts the responsibility or liability for improper installation of the metal roofing system because they are not the installers of the system. The courts may identify the general contractor as "the construction expert" and the architect as "the design expert." Neither accepts the responsibility of certifying, validating, or verifying the installation of the metal roofing system as being in compliance with industry standards, manufacturers' installation instructions, wind uplift or code requirements, or proper, long-term waterproofing.  

Figure 1:  Removal of ridge cap metal flashing.  Metal roofing closures are not properly waterproofed, as evidenced by the severe amount of wind driven dirt and debris visible in this photograph.  This is a source of water penetration into the building for more than a 1,000 1.f. along the ridge line of this project.  This school project is less than two years old.

     In defense of the architect and general contractor, neither generally professes to have the skills or experience to qualify as metal roofing experts. Quality control issues are often left to the sub-contractor/installer or the manufacturer, neither of which is directly signatory to the school district. Assigning quality control responsibility to either the sub-contractor or manufacturer, therefore, may be tantamount to putting the fox in charge of the hen house. 

 Five common causes of metal roofing failures:
1) Improper selection of product or profile and/or improper building design.
2) Improper waterproofing and installation details.
3) Lack of skill, training, and experience by persons installing the roof.
4) Installation that is noncompliant with wind uplift requirements, contract documents, and proper waterproofing methods and procedures.
5) Failure to provide quality control inspections, direction, and oversight.

All of these problems can lead to leaks, damages, and lawsuits. Water penetration through an improperly installed roof system may also contribute to the dreaded microbial growth and mold spore proliferation. There are currently hundreds of civil lawsuits related to mold spore and microbial growth problems in school buildings.
     Installation that is noncompliant with wind uplift requirements has the potential for overwhelming liability to the school district. As an example, suppose there is a "blow-off" of a metal roof. If the insurance carrier is sagacious enough to ascertain that the roof was installed in a manner that does not 

Figure 2: Close up view of the metal roofing panel and closure and ridge cap flashing.  Water and debris stains are clearly visible.  Areas showing debris are supposed to be watertight. 

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Robert Stanford & Associates
Metal Roofing Consultants

rstanford@metal-roofs.com

4106 Waterstone Drive
Missouri City, TX 77459-1837
Phone: 281.261.8522
Mobile: 713.202.5468
Fax: 281.499.4840