We’ve written quite a bit about green roofs and how adding a layer of vegetation can impact both the urban environment and a building’s energy efficiency. The latest industry trend, however, is blue roofing. And it’s all about storm water management.
On a blue roof, a system of detention ponds collects storm water, temporarily stores it, and then releases it slowly when the rain has stopped. It acts as a temporary sponge, mimicking the hydrology of the site before the building was constructed. The water collection can be accomplished through everything from building risers that cause water to dam up in designated areas to installing custom-designed trays for collecting and releasing water.
In urban areas with a combined sewer system – meaning that there’s a single sewer system to handle both sewage and storm water – rain can quickly overwhelm the system, sending untreated sewage (usually referred to as combined system overflow, or CSO) into rivers, streams, and lakes. And it doesn’t take as much rain as you might think – New York City, for example, can experience problems after as little as one half-inch of rain. Blue roofs help mitigate that risk.
Another benefit is that, when combined with light-colored roofing materials, a blue roof can significantly reduce a building’s cooling costs. In addition, some systems spray the stored water back on the roof in a controlled fashion, providing even more cooling. Some buildings can also utilize the stored water in landscaping or in areas where green roofing is being used. Others use the collected water for recreational purpose, such as cooling a roof’s walkways or providing water for fountains.
There are a few things to consider before installing a blue roof on your building:
New York City is leading the way in blue roofing technology, and city code stipulates that blue roofs must have a second membrane. Check to see what the codes are where you live.
Sound interesting? Read up on what New York City -- where rooftops account for nearly 20% of the city’s square footage -- is doing to gain some insight as to whether your building would be a good candidate for blue roofing.