Green Roof Guidelines

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs provide numerous benefits, however, it is worth remembering that a client will often have their own priorities. By considering each benefit at the earliest stages of design it will be possible to create a green roof which is multi-responsive.
Foreword
Groundwork Sheffield has secured Euros 457,206 of European Life+ funding to create a best practice guide which will set standards for green roof design and installation across the UK. As part of this guidance there are also supporting guidance documents, such as the Green Roof Guide; Design Guidance for Biodiverse Green Roofs and Green Roof Supplementary Planning Document Guidance. LIFE+ is the EU's financial instrument supporting environmental policy development across Member States. Green roofs perform a vital role in helping cities adapt to the effects of climate change by reducing the need for artificial cooling in hot weather and attenuating or capturing rainwater runoff, as well as providing a range of habitats for urban wildlife. Green roofs can only provide these environmental benefits if designed and installed in way which ensures minimum performance criteria are met. The guidance has been developed in partnership with national and European experts including The Green Roof Centre at the University of Sheffield, Livingroofs.org, members of GRO (Green Roof Organisation), the Environment Agency and Homes and Communities Agency.

Definition
For the purposes of this guide, a living or green roof is - a roof, deck or other structure onto which vegetation is intentionally grown or habitats for wildlife are established.

Who is this guidance for?

This guide will help anyone who is considering, designing, specifying, installing or maintaining a green roof or those involved in the strategic planning of green infrastructure. Green, living and intentionally vegetated roofs are becoming more common in the UK. They provide many benefits to the occupants of buildings, as well as to the local setting. Green roofs are one of the most readily accessible sustainable technologies available to the construction industry. They can be included as part of new buildings, and, subject to structural checks, may also be retro-fitted to existing buildings.

What will this guidance not cover?

This guidance does not cover certain technical areas of green roof technology such as drainage flow rates, growing medium performance criteria or waterproofing. If you require technical information of this type please download the English language Guidelines for the planning, execution and upkeep of green roof sites 2008 from the FLL website www.fll.de FLL Forschngsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftbau's (Landscape Research, Development and Construction Society).

It should be remembered that although green roof technology is relatively straightforward, it is possible for people who are unfamiliar with the technology to make mistakes or miss opportunities to maximise the benefits. All parties using this Guide and who require technical information should have a copy of the GRO Code and the most recent version of the FLL Guidelines to hand. The FLL Guidelines can be purchased from www.fll.de

Note: Waterproofing is a separate issue to roof greening and you should ensure that a roof has suitable waterproofing and root protection before greening it.

Green Roof Guidelines

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs provide numerous benefits, however, it is worth remembering that a client will often have their own priorities. By considering each benefit at the earliest stages of design it will be possible to create a green roof which is multi-responsive.
A green or living roof is a roof or deck onto which vegetation is intentionally grown or habitats for wildlife are established. There are different types of green roof and it is important to understand that each type functions and looks different. This is because each green roof is unique and provides a different type of habitat, water storage capacity and energy saving potential. Green roofs can be extensive - implying shallow substrate depths and load nutrition, through to intensive - which can be similiar to roof gardens.At present there are no specific British Standards relating to green roofs. However most if not all elements of green roof materials are covered by either a BSI standard or a German DIN standard, as described in the German FLL Forschngsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftbau's (Landscape Research, Development and Construction Society) Guidelines for the planning, execution and upkeep of green roof sites. The 2011 GRO Codr provides UK specific green roof recomendations. Historically, turf roofs were common in northern Europe, but decreased in popularity as the industrial revolution progressed.

Roof gardens became popular on multi-storey buildings in Berlin in the late nineteenth century and continued to be constructed on large city-centre structures throughout the twentieth century. However, modern extensive green roof practice was stimulated by improvements in roofing and waterproofing technology emerging from Germany in the 1970s and 1980s. Legislation was introduced to encourage the installation of green roofs, and, by 2001, 43% of German cities provided incentives for green roof installation (Lenart 2001 Lenart, Claudia. 2001. "Garden in the Sky," Utne Reader, (104): 20 21). Other countries in Europe such as Switzerland and Austria also have a long tradition in using green roofs. More recently Canada, parts of the United States of America, Japan and Singapore have experienced a growth in green roof uptake. Grass Roof in Oswego Illinois, USA, from Greg Robbins In terms of statute and policy, the UK lags behind

continental Europe, however individual cities are championing green roofs. For example, the Living Roofs and Walls, Technical Report: Supporting London Plan Policy 2007, states that:

Policy Living Roofs and Walls

The Mayor will and boroughs should expect major developments to incorporate living roofs and walls where feasable and reflect this principle in LDF policies.

It is expected that this will include roof and wall planting that delivers as many of these objectives as possible:
q q q q q

accessible roof space adapting to and mitigating climate change sustainable urban drainage enhancing biodiversity improved appearence

Boroughs should also encourage the use of living roofs in smaller developments and extensions where the oppurtunity arises. Sheffield City Council is also leading the way with its Planning Conditions, requiring new building in excess of 1000m or 10 dwellings to have 80% vegetated cover. The UK has seen a rise in the interest and implementation of green roofs over the past decade, due to increasing awareness of sustainable development and the need to adapt the built environment to mitigate the effects of climate change. Other factors include the desire to preserve green spaces in the face of progressive urbanisation, and targets to conserve urban biodiversity. It is estimated that there is at least 200 million m of roof space in the UK which could be greened with little or no modification to the roof structure. This consists of mainly flat roofs on offices, schools, hospitals, other public buildings and housing blocks.

Types of green roof

Green roofs are classified according to their depth and maintenance requirement. The following names for different green roofs have been adopted by the construction industry:

Type of green roof

Description

Lightweight extensive

Low biodiversity potential Low water holding Includes pre-grown vegetation mats Sometimes irrigated No additional substrate Open substrate.

Super lightweight

Consists of thin (12mm) drainage board, a filter fleece/water retention mat and pre-grown vegetated mat about 25mm in thickness. Minimum loadings Sometimes irrigated Practical for some retro-fits Limited vegetation diversity Tendency to dry out.

Extensive

Less than 100mm substrate depth, and not usually irrigated Low maintenence Limited water holding

Limited biodiversity potential Includes pre-grown vegetation mats or substrate.

Semi-intensive

100mm to 200mm substrate depth, moderate maintenance, wider range of plants Sometimes irrigated Rainwater attenuation Supports vegetation Slightly higher maintenance.

Intensive

Over 200mm substrate depth, intensive maintenance requirement Sometimes irrigated Lawn or roof garden Amenity Space Water attenuation and some biodiversity can be achieved.

Roof gardens/podium decks

Intensive and well understood Outside scope of this document.

Biodiverse/wildlife (extensive)

Supports particular species or group of species Natural colonisation often encouraged Limit level of human interaction Focus on biodiversity value

These definitions are not always clear cut and it is possible to have green roofs which have characteristics of more than one type, for example a 200mm deep substrate which still has low maintenance requirements.

For a green roof to flourish it must have:

q q q q q

Sunlight Moisture Drainage Aeration to the plants root systems Nutrients

The green roof system build-up can consist of:

q q q q q

Root resistant material Moisture retention/protection layer Drainage layer Filter layer Growing medium

Most extensive roofs, and many intensive green roofs, are supplied as complete systems, which include all components for green roof construction from the insulation and waterproofing membrane to specialist soil mixes and vegetation. These 'all-in-one' systems are useful in many applications, particularly where there is limited flexibility in terms of structural capacity as pre-made systems have a verified saturated weight. However, some suppliers of green roof systems may be able to supply and provide data for individual components which can allow for the possibility of bespoke designs. The conditions of each individual site must be considered before construction begins, drawing on the skills of specialists such as: drainage engineers for the hydrological aspects, ecologists for the biodiversity elements and landscape architects for the overall layout. Ideally each green roof is bespoke to different site conditions and local climate. Therefore, designing green roofs to take into consideration both the client's needs and local microclimatic and bioregional factors will result in a better and more sustainable solution.

Green Roof Guidelines

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs provide numerous benefits, however, it is worth remembering that a client will often have their own priorities. By considering each benefit at the earliest stages of design it will be possible to create a green roof which is multi-responsive.
Reducing storm-water runoff as part of a sustainable drainage systems
Any built-up area needs to be drained to remove excess rain water. Traditionally this has been achieved by underground pipe systems that convey water away as quickly as possible to prevent localised flooding. However, as development increases, this can impact negatively on existing storm-water drains causing them to be overloaded and create the potential for flooding further downstream. The conventional method of draining the built environment also flushes pollutants directly into watercourses. The incidence of storm events is predicted to increase in intensity and number due to the effects of climate change, and the total volume of winter rainfall will rise (UKCIP02), therefore methods to mitigate storm-water runoff are increasingly being required in new developments. The Pitt Report 'Learning lessons from the 2007 floods' states that "new developments should not expect to be automatically connected to the public drainage system." The flood and water management bill will further enforce the responsibility of ground water management on Local Authorities, who will in turn apply greater sanctions on construction developers to include smart water management systems in projects. SUDS are engineered solutions that aim to mimic natural drainage processes. They help to reduce pollution of watercourses and localised flooding, as well as providing amenity benefit and biodiversity. Green roofs are considered as one method of controlling storm-water at source (i.e. closest to the source of the precipitation) under a SUDS strategy. Once a green roof has established, both peak flow rates and total runoff volume of rainwater from the roof are significantly reduced compared to a conventional roof. Green roofs store rainwater in the plants and substrate and release water back into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration and evaporation. Green roofs are much easier to retrofit in the urban environment than many other SUDS components, so their potential for reducing storm-water problems in the UK's cities is significant. The amount of water that is stored on a green roof, and then evaporated into the atmosphere, is dependent on the growing medium: its depth, type of drainage layer and vegetation used and regional weather. The FLL Guidelines should be followed to ensure that actual runoff will be in accordance with calculated runoff. In

summer, green roofs can retain 70-80% of rainfall and in winter they retain 1035% depending on their build-up. The difference is due to a combination of more winter rainfall and less evapotranspiration by the plants because growth is not as vigorous during the winter months. Generally, the deeper the substrate the greater the average annual water retention. Where green roofs are used on a new development, it is sometimes possible for cost savings made on the drainage package to be used to offset the additional cost of the green roof installation.

Green roof versus convention roof comparison

Between 30 and 40% of rainfall events are of such limited duration, or are at such low volume rates, that there is no measurable runoff from green-field sites, whereas virtually all rainfall events produce some runoff from developed sites. A green roof can easily be designed to prevent runoff from all rainfall events of up to 5 mm and, as part of a SUDS strategy, should reduce the volume of surface or underground attenuation required at the site boundary. In the Environment Agency recognises the same positive effects, however, there is no commonly agreed method for measuring the amount of attenuation volume that can be offset.

Roof lifespan increase

Roof surfaces are constantly under attack from ultra-violet light and temperature change. The original green roofs in Germany created in the 1880s were created when bitumen was covered with 6cm of sand, which colonised naturally with

vegetation. This sand covering was to protect the bitumen from fire, however the covering was found to extend the life of the waterproof layer. Green roofs have now been shown to double if not triple the life of waterproofing membranes beneath the green roof. This is possible because the very act of placing layers of organic material and moisture holding materials on top of the waterproofing protects the roof. NOTE: Where waterproofing material is used on the vertical faces of up-stands and parapets, the material should be double skinned or metal coping should be brought down to vegetation barrier level.

Reducing energy use

The UK spends more money artificially cooling commercial buildings in the summer than it does heating them in the winter (Wildlife Trust website). Green roofs have been shown to impact positively on a building's energy consumption by improving its thermal performance, although the amount of difference this makes varies depending on daily and seasonal weather. Poorly insulated roofs, as found on many existing buildings, will lead to overheating of spaces beneath them during the summer, and excessive heating demand during the winter. By retrofitting green roofs, both air conditioning and heating usage is decreased. (Nottingham Trent University study) During the summer, the amount of solar energy utilised for evapotranspiration from the plants and evaporation directly from the soil, reduces the temperature of the green roof and leads to a cooler microclimate which in turn leads to a reduction in artificial cooling requirements, which can be significant. During the winter months, a green roof can add to the insulating qualities of the roof. However, the thermal performance is extremely dependent on the amount of water held within the green roof substrate. In a damp winter climate, such as the UK generally experiences, a green roof will add little to the overall thermal performance of the roof. Green roofs are not assigned a fixed U-Value as they are often saturated with water.

Climate change mitigation

Buildings are responsible for around 50% of the UK's CO2 emissions (CABE website). A high proportion of these emissions are from heating and cooling the internal environment. Reducing the energy consumption of the UK's buildings will reduce their contribution to climate change. Green roofs can significantly reduce the cooling load of a building, resulting in reduced air cooling requirements and therefore reduced energy consumption and associated output of atmospheric carbon.

Climate change adaptation

Certain levels of climate change are predicted to occur despite our efforts to reduce the production of carbon dioxide. Even in the most optimistic of scenarios, whereby the emission of greenhouse gases ceased immediately, the associated climatic changes would continue because of the long lifespan of the gases in the atmosphere and the thermal inertia of the oceans. This means that summer temperatures and associated urban heat islands are expected to worsen. For this reason, adaptation to climate change must now be considered an urgent priority. Green roofs are one of the most effective ways of combating the urban heat island effect (Reducing urban heat islands: compendium of strategies. US Environmental Protection Agency) and will therefore be part of the

raft of future measures designed to help cities adapt.

Lessening the urban heat island effect

The urban heat island effect is the temperature disparity between urbanised areas and surrounding rural areas. Urban landscapes have a much higher proportion of dense, impermeable and often darker surfaces (typified by conventional roof surfaces) which tend to absorb the sun's heat. This stored heat is re-radiated at night when warming the city more than the surrounding countryside. This can result in a temperature variation of 4 C or higher between the city and surrounding areas. The urban heat island effect will increase as summer temperatures increase and will therefore become even more of a problem in the UK in the future. During the hot summer of 2003 night-time temperatures in London reached 8-9 C higher than outlying rural areas on a number of occasions (London's Urban Heat Island: A summary for decision makers. www.london.gov.uk). Green roofs have very different thermal qualities to conventional roofs. They tend to reflect more of the sun's rays (have a higher albedo) and they shade and insulate the underlying structure. The evaporation of water from the soil and transpiration of water from leaves cools the roof.

Diagram of thermal benefits of green roof (Shade, albedo, evapotranspiration)

Increasing biodiversity
As more land is built upon, and management of urban areas intensified, ensuring that biodiversity is retained is a key requirement for local councils and public bodies under the 'Duty for Biodiversity' (Natural England Website). Whilst green roofs do not directly replace ground-based habitats and are not part of a ground level 'green corridor', they can be thought of as green 'stepping stones' for wildlife, and, if well planned, can cater for a variety of flora and fauna unattainable on traditional roofs. Different types of green roofs and different types of substrate and vegetation will support different habitats and species. Biodiverse roofs can be designed to mimic various habitats. They can be especially important as a tool to recreate the pioneer (wasteland) communities that are sometimes lost when redevelopment takes place. Within urban areas, it is very often neglected brownfield sites that are the most biodiverse. The best designs may often be ones that supports a range of habitats for wildlife, including a range of substrates, microhabitats and substrate depths. Green roof designs should be varied in different parts of the UK to meet the objectives of local Biodiversity Action Plans. Green roofs can also be used to recreate habitat for some endangered species. For example in Deptford Creek in London, when habitat that was known to support the black redstart, which is rare in the UK, was threatened by redevelopment, suitable habitat was created on the roofs of new buildings (www.blackredstarts.org.uk). The skylark, a species listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, has bred successfully on the green roof of Rolls Royce factory near Chichester. Surveys of Swiss and UK extensive green roofs have shown that they support several Red Data Book invertebrates (Ref Brenneissen and Kadas) and the conditions that allow these species to survive can be replicated.

Diagram to show how Dr. Brenneissen recommends varying substrate depth to encourage invertebrates

Brenneisen, ZHAW

Stephan

Improving air and water quality

The urban heat island effect exacerbates ground-level ozone production, which is formed by a reaction between volatile organic compounds and nitrous oxides catalysed by heat and sunlight. It is classified as a pollutant and is the principal component of smog. During the heat wave of 2006 the European Environment Agency reported that safe levels of ozone were surpassed often and in many places throughout Europe, including the UK. Green roofs can improve local air quality through mitigation of the urban heat island effect. A living roof can also help to remove airborne particles, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds from the local atmosphere. As these contaminants are retained by the green roof itself, their infiltration of the water system through surface runoff is lessened, in turn improving local water quality.

Reduced sound transfer

Rain hammer on some deck roofed buildings including schools have been concerns for building designers for some years. Sound escaping from industrial process and other noise processes can also cause issues within local communities. The buildup of organic material within a green roof significantly reduces the noise transfer through a roofs structure.(Living roofs and wall, technical report: Supporting London's planning Policy)

Amenity space
Designing green roofs for people to access either physically or visually is a great way to get vegetation and some habitat types into the built environment. Whether designed as a roof terrace with paving and raised planters for full access by building occupants or the general public, or high level meadows of wildflower with limited access. People will feel a benefit from being able to access the area as a desirable space. The Fukuoka City Hall, Japan is a great example. By extending the vegetation up

the back of the building the cities only central park was almost doubled in sizes. The terraces on the back of the building are full accessible to the public and provide a great oasis in a city of glass and concrete.

Fukuoka City Hall, Japan

Green Roof Guidelines

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs provide numerous benefits, however, it is worth remembering that a client will often have their own priorities. By considering each benefit at the earliest stages of design it will be possible to create a green roof which is multi-responsive.
What are the considerations when planning a green roof?

a) Access and Fire Risk Access

As with all roofs, and especially flat roofs, maintenance is required and therefore access must be considered. All green roofs require some degree of maintenance. Low maintenance should not be interpreted as no maintenance. Extensive green roofs require less maintenance than intensive roofs, but there is still a requirement every year to clear gutters and unwanted vegetation. Therefore it is important to design for ease of access to all types of green roofs. Access to the roof should ideally be through internal access hatches or alternatively by secure ladder points. Full roof containment is the preferred safety option, if this is not possible, there should be fall protection systems for operatives to work on the roof. Health and safety concerns as covered in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 ('CDM Regulations'). All fall protection systems must be checked annually. It should be noted that the CDM Regulations place a legal responsibility on clients and designers to take into account the fact that a building must be designed to be constructed, maintained, altered and demolished safely. As part of a project's commitment to safe practice, it is strongly recommended that all those involved in the process take note of these responsibilities. Edge protection and personnel containment must be in place during the installation of any roofing processes in line with current HSE guidelines. A means of safe access by a roof anchorage system, or better still a total containment system for roof inspection and maintenance is strongly recommended.

Fire Risk
The first green roofs of modern times were installed as fire prevention measures.

Although experience in Germany has shown that the risk of fire is small, dry vegetation on green roofs does have the potential to catch alight following prolonged hot weather. Although there are no mandatory fire standards for green roofs at present, it is recommended that the following measures are put in place to reduce risk: - Vegetation barriers (intentionally un-vegetated strips) of pebbles (20mm 40mm) or paving (concrete) at 500mm wide to all roof penetrations and in front of all up-stands - Pebble or concrete paving in the vegetation at every 40m run, with a minimum width of 1m or a 300mm high fire wall - Vegetation barriers are kept clear of encroaching plants by routine maintenance Tests in Germany (DIN 4102-7) have demonstrated that extensive roofs are unlikely to be ignited by sparks provided that the substrate base is a minimum of 30mm and contains no more than 20% organic content by volume. Therefore it is recommended that green roof substrate does not contain more than 20% organic content by volume.

b) Management of Design Guarantees

If the green roof is bought as a package from a reputable firm and fitted by approved contractors, guarantees against faulty construction will be provided. Some green roof systems come with a guarantee of up to 20 years to cover defective product or workmanship. Sourcing and specifying the different layers of a green roof from different suppliers will obviously have a bearing on the types of guarantee you will be able to secure for a green roof as a whole system (making an informed design stage critical to eventual performance and maintenance). The vegetation element will never gain a full guarantee due to it being a living organism, however some firms will replace losses that occur during the first 12 months or agree to ensure that a certain % of cover is maintained. It important to ensure a maintenance regime is put in place to ensure the vegetation establishes.

Manufacturers and Supply

There are an increasing number of green roof component suppliers in the UK. Look for products which have guarantees and include the supplier in the design process as they will advise on options, loading, drainage and thermal performance.

Planning Consent/Permission
Incorporating a green roof (or roofs) into a development may gain support which can help to secure planning consent. It may be possible to retrofit green roofs on certain buildings without planning consent, although the planning authority should be consulted if there is any doubt.

c) Roof Structure Limited Roof Space

When a green roof is installed on a commercial building, there will often be an air conditioning plant, water tanks and other equipment located on the roof. As access will be required to service these features, access for the maintenance of the green

roof can be provided via the same route. Attention needs to be paid to the detailing of edges where a green roof skirts around mechanical structures and there may be a requirement to provide paved access across a green roof. Any green roof, no matter how small, brings benefits, therefore is worth including on a building even when space is limited.

Outlet and Downpipe Requirement

There should be a minimum of two downpipe outlets per roof as a precaution against blockage. All outlets should be protected by an inspection chamber and surrounded by a pebble vegetation barrier to prevent plant encroachment. A green roof results in a reduction in total runoff volume and peak flow. The reduction in peak flow depends on the intensity of the rainfall event and the level of saturation of the substrate before the rain event began. When the substrate is saturated the lag time can shorten to that of a traditional roof, but peak flow reduction can still occur. Given the varying substrate materials and depths available in manufactured green roof systems in the UK market, advice should be obtained from the supplier for any allowable reduction in downpipe number or size.

Pitch of the Roof

Any pitch of roof can be greened, to the point where the surface is vertical. Where surfaces over 45 are to be greened they require technology closer to that used for living walls. Living walls are outside of the scope of this document. In order to green steeply pitched roofs, more complicated designs and installation methods are required and this can increase cost and limit access for maintenance. Roofs from 'flat' (normally 3) up to a 10 pitch can be greened with standard green roof products. A flat roof normally has a minimum fall of 1:60 to encourage drainage. Beyond 10 additional support is required.

Roof Pitch Formula

Structural Capacity

Structural loads on the roof depend on the type of green roof chosen and a structural assessment is always required. Intensive green roofs with trees and where access for amenity is required will need to be supported by a heavy steel or concrete structure. Many inverted roofs are designed to be covered in paving slabs or pebbles, which act as ballast on the insulation. The substrate of a green roof can be calculated to provide the necessary ballast in place of the paving slabs, therefore resulting in no addition to the structural load. For low-rise lightweight structures, extensive green roofs are the only option and lightweight roofs will usually need to be structurally strengthened if a green roof is incorporated. It is important that calculations incorporate the load when the roof substrate is saturated, as this will be when the greatest loads are placed on the structure.

d) Design Factors Biodiversity

Designers need to be fully aware of any specific biodiversity objectives for a project in order to ensure that a roof includes the appropriate habitat or biodiversity features. In order to attract particular species, specialist advice should be sought from ecologists with knowledge of the bioregion, species requirements and green roofs. Clients and other stakeholders should be made aware that specific measures designed to benefit biodiversity may affect the appearance of the roof, or could change the performance of the roof in terms of rainwater attenuation or cooling. As with many building projects, trade-offs have to be made. In considering the conservation of biodiversity it is advisable to determine the distribution of local habitats in the vicinity, and any aspirations to build networks of natural greenspace or green infrastructure. If a roof design allows, a series of different mini-habitats can be deployed to make the roof more appealing to a wider variety of plants and insects. However, an ecologist should be consulted on the minimum area that any one habitat requires. Features that are frequently included on biodiverse green roofs to attract invertebrates are: varying depths and composition of substrate, un-vegetated areas, stones, rope and decaying wood. It may take a while for a green roof to create the appropriate replacement habitat - It cannot be assumed that a green roof will be immediately successful in conserving key species. It should also be noted that green roofs cannot replicate all habitats that occur at ground level. Certain species of plant require deep soils or shelter which cannot be feasibly created at roof level, and some soils which occur at ground level may be unsuitable for inclusion in a green roof build-up.

Irrigation
Extensive (including biodiverse) green roofs do not usually require irrigation, although they are often watered during the establishment phase (the first 4 to 6 weeks after installation). Semi intensive green roofs should not need to be watered unless there is a prolonged period (usually defined as six weeks) without rain. Intensive green roofs are often irrigated. Deeper substrates are less vulnerable to drying out as they can store more rainwater, but the types of plants tend to be more water dependent, so irrigation can be necessary. To reduce the need for watering during establishment, a green roof should be installed in the spring or autumn. Consideration should therefore be given to collecting rainwater if specifying any type of green roof that will require irrigation. Water supplies are under increasing stress in many parts of the UK and there is a considerable amount of embodied carbon in potable water (0.6 kg CO2 per m3). Climate change is predicted to result in more heat waves which will increase demand for irrigation.

Rainwater Harvesting
Storm-water runoff from a green roof is reduced compared to a traditional roof. However, rainwater can still be collected from a green roof and used for any nonpotable applications. Water may be discoloured with leachates from the green roof substrates, however the colour can be used as a good indicator of the building's environmental credentials. Where rainwater is harvested from green roofs, fertilisers should not be used. High nutrient levels in water can lead to problems with algae blooms.

Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

On roofs, both solar thermal and PV panels can be combined effectively with green roofs. Indeed, it has been shown that the cooling effect of a green roof leads to performance improvements from a PV system mounted on A-frames, as the roof is cooler and the PV cells work at a higher efficiency. The panels themselves must not be over-shaded by the vegetation on the green roof; therefore A-frames are preferable to roof integrated or roof mounted panels. It is important to realise that the area under any panels will be shaded from sun and will not be naturally watered. The effect will be to create a different microclimate and attract different (especially shade-loving) plants.

What are the key technical design requirements of a green roof?

a) Waterproofing
The most important element of any roof, green or otherwise, is that it is water resistant to ensure the integrity of the building is not compromised. It is important that the waterproof component of the roof is confirmed as being sound before proceeding with the installation of the green roof. A green roof should only be installed over a root barrier, which can be incorporated into the waterproofing itself or may consist of an additional membrane on top of the waterproofing. There are many waterproofing products on the market and the supplier of the material will have the technical data to specify which of their products are suitable for use under green roofs. Some manufactures will have Test Certificates from the FLL or other testing facilities to verify the products. The installation of the waterproofing and its detailing to perimeters, outlets and protrusions through the roof must take into account the depth of the green roof build up. The waterproofing should always be 150mm above substrate level at internal up-stands and protrusions, and at least 100mm at external perimeters.

The waterproofing system must be leak tested and certified, immediately before the installation of the green roof. It is also a good idea to make a photographic record of the area to be greened. This can be used as a reference for any seams, joining features or as evidence of the condition of the area.

b) Up-stand Details
All up-stands, roof perimeters, outlets and protrusions through the roof should be protected by an un-vegetated barrier such as 20 to 40mm rounded shingle or concrete paving slabs. This should be the same depth as the substrate and no less than 500mm across. The waterproof layer should always rise at least 150mm above any other element (substrate or vegetation barrier) on the vertical face. Where waterproofing material is used on the vertical faces of up-stands and parapets, the material should be double skinned or metal coping should be brought down to vegetation barrier level. This will ensure that there are no weak points due to UV rays or climatic stress where there is no green roof coverage.

c) Vapour Control Layers

When specifying the roof construction below a green roofing system, the minimum required performance of the vapour control layer needs to be considered and calculated. The presence of water above the roof waterproofing membrane affects the rate at which internal moisture vapour is transmitted through the roofing system. If a vapour control layer with a low resistivity is used the vapour drive

could be negative, resulting in internal condensation and poor thermal performance. The vapour control layer supplier should be able to advise which product will suit the situation best.

d) Outlet Inspection Chambers

All outlets and downpipes from the roof should have easily accessible chambers with removable covers. This prevents any material being washed down the outlets, but also enables direct access for maintenance and inspection.

e) Loading Weight
It is fundamental that the saturated weight of the proposed green roof system is obtained and the information is given to a chartered structural engineer. All loading values are based on saturated loads plus other relevant considerations. Green roofs put a greater loading on buildings than cold roofs (where the insulation is on the inside of the roof) or warm roofs (where the insulation is on top of the roof, but does not use ballast to hold it in place). However, extensive green roofs do not place greater loads on buildings designed to have warm or inverted roofs (where the insulation is on the outside of the roof and is designed to be held down by gravel ballast or paving slabs). In these situations a green roof can be used as the ballast, though care should be taken to ensure the green roof is as heavy as the ballast would have been. Substrate manufacturers and suppliers of green roof systems will be able to provide product data sheets on each of the components comprising any particular green roof build up.

What are the aims of the green roof?

Every green roof is being designed and installed for a reason, those reasons usually corresponds to one of the recognised benefits of green roofs. The advantage of a green roof as a technology, is that whichever benefit is being prioritised, some aspect of the others are also achieved. From the list below decide what the reason is for your green roof (more information on each point can be found in the Benefits section), and keep that reason in mind as you go on to design the rest of the roof.

Reasons for a green roof

Design requirements

a. Water attenuation

Substrate depth of at least 80mm*, ideally deeper < 200mm. Reservoir / drainage board with water holding capacity. Unrestricted water escape from roof for excess water.

b. Increase roof lifespan

Substrate depth of at least 80mm*. Double skin exposed waterproofing.

c. Improve local air quality

Substrate depth of at least 80mm*, ideally deeper < 200mm. High percentage of roof area covered by vegetation. Varied types and heights of plants.

d. Cooling effect on building/reduce Urban Heat Island Effect

Substrate depth of at least 80mm* ideally deeper < 200mm. High percentage of roof area covered by vegetation. Varied types and heights of plants.

e. Conserving biodiversity

Substrate depth of at least 80mm* ideally deeper < 200mm. Varied depths of substrate, undulate from one depth to another across the roof. Varied types and heights of plants. Include 'natural features' (see the Biodiversity and Planting pages) Note: Habitat replacement is different from biodiversity conservation, an is also covered in the Biodiversity and Planting pages.

f. Improving water quality

Substrate depth of at least 80mm* ideally deeper < 200mm. Specific substrates and minerals can be used to filter out particular elements. Note: Water from green roofs with 'common' substrates will often have discoloured runoff. However, some elements may have been extracted from the water as it passes through the green roof.

g. Reduced sound transfer

Substrate depth of at least 80mm* ideally deeper < 200mm.

h. Provide amenity space

Substrate depth of at least 80mm* ideally deeper < 200mm where planted. Protection mat Drainage board Good safe access and stable walkways. Edge protection of at least 1.2m height from top of substrate or walkways.

i. Provide aesthetic impact

Substrate depth of at least 80mm* ideally deeper. High percentage of roof area covered by vegetation. Varied types and heights of plants. May require irrigation.

* In line with the GRO Code 2011

What are the access requirements of the green roof?

Types of Green Roof

Green roofs are typecast according to their depth and maintenance requirement. The following names for different green roofs have been adopted by the construction industry:

Access required

Type of access

a. Minimum maintenance

Access can be via ManSafe cable system or cherry picker as a minimum.

b. Regular maintenance

Access can be via ManSafe cable system or cherry picker, however, total personnel enclosure is preferred by the Health and Safety Executive.

c. Full public

Total personnel enclosure must be provided i.e. a perimeter barrier of at lease 1.2m from the top of the substrate, must be in place to all open sides. Ideally any barrier should be set inside the line of the edge of the roof.

d. Partial roof access

A viewing deck or enclosed patio is a good solution for this situation, however the perimeter must have barriers of at least 1.2m from the top of the substrate or walkway.

e. Visually overlooked or access, but with only limited physical access for maintenance.

This type of site can be via ManSafe cable system or cherry picker.

What considerations are dependent on whether the green roof is new-build or retrofit?

Features to any Green Roof:

q q q q q q q

A building structure designed to take the loads of the proposed green roof Waterproof membrane and root resistant membrane Protective sheet Suitable drainage system to allow excess water to leave the roof easily 500mm gravel or paving margin to all up-stands and roof penetrations Up-stands of a suitable height to prevent material being blown off the roof A 1m wide, 300mm tall un-vegetated barrier every 40m, on large areas of

green roof Growing medium with no more than 20% organic matter by volume

a) New-Build Specific Green Roof System

No matter what species of plants are specified, for them to flourish the green roof system
q q q q q q

Sunlight Moisture Protective sheet Drainage Aeation to the plants root systems Nutrients

To achieve this, a successful system must replicate nature, but within a compressed space. Most green roofs will have depths of between 80mm and 200mm, only roof gardens incorporating turf, shrubs and trees would be expected to have greater depths.

A common green roof build up consists of:

q q q q q q q

Roof resistant barrier Protection layer Drainage layer Filter layer Growing medium Vegetation Appropriate components i.e. outlet inspection chambers, 500mm vegetation barrier. The type, size, and design of each layer will depend on the proposed vegetation; as will the need for irrigation

b) Retrofit Specific Structural Capacity

When retro-fitting a green roof on to any building it is advisable to have a suitably qualified person undertake a structural survey of the building. Many older buildings were over designed/engineered and have spare capacity in their structure, which will allow green roofs to be fitted without additional construction. Conversely, many newer buildings and industrial units are built near to the limits of their capacity. The loading of the green roof must be established before the survey is carried out to ensure capacity. Once the building's general loading capacity is known and any strong or weak loading points identified, the green roof can be designed to suit, or the capacity of the building can be adapted. Deeper substrate depths can be placed where loading capacity is higher i.e. above supporting columns.

Applied Waterproofing
Even if the existing waterproofing looks to be in good condition, it should be tested for watertightness. If there are concerns over the condition of the waterproofing layer, it should be replaced or covered over with a new waterproof layer. Once the green roof is in place, the waterproofing underneath should stay in good condition for many years due to the protection offered by the green roof. If the existing insitu waterproofing is to be used, it must be of a type which is root resistant or a separate root resistant membrane can be installed on top of it before the other green roof elements are installed.

Water Escape
When a green roof is being designed, there will be an anticipated level of water retention within the layers and substrate. It is crucial to the success of the roof that any excess water is drained from the roof as quickly as possible. This will prevent ponding or over-loading of the roof.

Green Roof Guidelines

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs provide numerous benefits, however, it is worth remembering that a client will often have their own priorities. By considering each benefit at the earliest stages of design it will be possible to create a green roof which is multi-responsive.
Who should install green roofs?
Installing a green roof system is completely different to the installation of landscapes over natural ground. Ideally only people who have been trained in the installations of green roofs should undertake this task. However, if contractors who are untrained in green roof installation do attempt to install one, they should take particular care working at height, and not to damage the waterproof membrane, amongst other considerations. There are increasing number of contractors who have received specialist training in green roof installation and care from organisations such as GRO (The Green Roof Organisation) and BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries).

How do different green roof systems affect construction practice?

a ) Mat-Based Green Roofs

Typically consist of pre-grown mats of sedum or meadow flowers placed over water retentive material (e.g. horticultural rockwool), or a thin layer of substrate. Precultivated mats are a good solution for wind-exposed areas, as they hold additional substrate in place. Biodegradable nets can be secured over the whole green roof area to hold the mats in place. These materials tend to be supplied on pallets and simply require rolling out like turf, cutting to size and watering in. The rolled up vegetation mats will suffer if they are stored in rolls for more than 48 hours. Aim for these to arrive on site the day they are to be installed.

b ) Substrate-based green roofs

Typically consist of layers of growing medium which support plant growth. The materials for these roofs come to site as separate elements, the moisture mat, drainage board and filter layer will usually be supplied in rolls or large sheets. The substrate will be delivered in bulk bags and be craned on to the roof to be spread or blown on to the roof using hoses Where strong winds may cause substrate to be dislodged, biodegradable nets can be secured over the whole green roof area. Over time the vegetation will bind the substrate surface together and the net will degrade into the roof.

c ) Biodiverse / Wildlife
Locally sourced aggregates and natural features are used to recreate habitats for a specific species or a variety of flora or fauna. Successful biodiverse and wildlife roofs need a high level of design input from specialists if they are to provide suitable habitats for the target species. Biodiverse roofs are normally left to vegetate through natural colonisation but may also be seeded with a locally appropriate wildflower seed mixture or planted with suitable wild-flower plugs. The placing of unscreened demolition waste and building rubble on roofs is unlawful as it may leach pollutants into the water table. All green roofs which include intentional vegetation should be watered-in for between 4 and 6 weeks after installation, depending on the weather at the time.

How should the delivery and storage of green roof materials be organised?

a ) Programming
Ideally the green roof should be the last element of constructions on any development. Elements of the roof which are living products i.e. plants, must be delivered in a just in time manner.

b ) Vegetation Care and Preperation

Ensure a good pressure of water is available at roof level. All plants and pre-grown mats should be well watered while in storage; prior to installation and after installation. Depending on weather conditions, 6 or 8 weeks of watering maybe required. Where strong winds may cause substrate to be dislodged, biodegradable nets can be secured over the whole green roof area. Over time the vegetation will bind the substrate surface together and the net will degrade into the roof.

c ) Site Storage
Where materials come on to site that need the risk of damage is kept to a minimum. stacked more than two bags high and care not get mixed with other aggregates being to be stored, care should be taken that Bulk bags of substrate should not be should be taken that substrate does used on site.

d ) Delivery to the Roof

Materials should be stored at ground level and carried, craned or pumped up when required. Ensure that materials are not stored, even for a short time, in one position on the roof whilst awaiting installation - although a building may be designed to take the additional load of a green roof. The loading is usually based on even distribution across the roof.

Are there seasonal considerations for the implementation of a green roof?

a ) Planting Seasons
Spring or autumn are the best times to install a green roof and ensure successful establishment. It is recommended that green roofs are not installed during the summer months - this needs to be factored into the construction programme.

b ) Exceptions
Biodiverse roofs, which are not intended to have plants on them from an early stage can be installed at any time of year.

Green Roof Guidelines

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs provide numerous benefits, however, it is worth remembering that a client will often have their own priorities. By considering each benefit at the earliest stages of design it will be possible to create a green roof which is multi-responsive.
What are the main types of green roof plant?

a ) Choosing Vegetation
The vegetation is what defines a green roof. The type and extent of vegetation determines the visual character and quality of the roof. Its successful establishment is therefore central to a successful green roof. Whilst roofs covered purely in substrate or aggregate will still show some of the benefits listed earlier in this document, the plant layer will enhance and magnify those benefits. Vegetation protects the substrate layer from leaching and erosion; it traps, absorbs and evaporates rain water; through evaporation, transpiration and shading it contributes to cooling of the roof surface; it provides food and habitat for invertebrates and birds; and will aid the capture of air pollutants and provide a sink for atmospheric carbon. The green roof environment is a particularly harsh one for plant growth: very shallow depths of growing medium; limited water and nutrient availability; increased exposure to wind and intense sunlight. But it is not an impossible environment, and a large number of plants are well adapted to coping with drought stress or very shallow soils because the places that they grow naturally are very similar: rocky cliffs, sandy or shingly areas, and dry grasslands, for example. Plants suitable for green roofs must be easy to establish, must persist on the roof (either through being tough, hardy and relatively long-lived, or by regenerating easily) and have low maintenance requirements. Many green roof plants have a relatively low and spreading growth form and are therefore effective at covering the surface. Beyond these factors, there are many other more specific conditions for plant choice that may be related to a specific function or type of roof: the aesthetic qualities of the plant, whether it provides a food source for invertebrates, is it characteristic of a particular habitat or region, for example. Sedums are, with good reason, the most widely-used plants for green roofs. They are supremely drought-resistant, and able to grow in shallow, very free-draining substrates. Indeed, many grow naturally on bare rock surfaces, and on sands and gravels. They were widely used in the early days of the development of extensive green roofs precisely because they naturally colonised aggregate-covered flat roofs. However, sedums have come to have a rather negative association on ecological grounds. This is to some extent unfounded, and is more to do with the way they are used, rather than with the plants themselves. Sedum-only mats used in 'super-lightweight' green roofs with little or no substrate can result in low-

diversity roofs, with sparse or poor plant growth. However, when used in substratebased systems, and when mixed with a wider diversity of plants, sedums can provide an essential 'fail-safe' component against summer drought, and provide an excellent nectar source during the summer flowering period.

b ) Succulents/Sedums

Succulent species store water in their leaves, and have considerable moistureconserving abilities. The most commonly used succulents are the Green Roof Sedums: mostly evergreens, with year-round plant cover, and a wide variety of leaf shapes and colours. Most species flower in May and June and the most common flower colours are yellow or pale pink. Reliable and widely used species include Sedum album, S.acre and S.rupestre (all widely naturalised in the UK). These species all have relatively small leaves, as does S.hispanicum. S.spurium has larger, flatter leaves and provides a visual contrast to the other types in a mixture.

c ) Flowering Plants - herbaceous species and alpines:

Plants in this group give visual, structural and ecological diversity to a green roof. Widely-used and reliable species include Tunic Plant, Petrorhagia saxifraga with pink flowers on dense, finely leaved plants, and Chives, Allium schoenoprasum. Dianthus species such as D.deltoides and D.carthusianorum are effective, the latter seeding freely around a roof from year to year.

d ) Grasses

Grasses can form the sole component of green roof vegetation, but on their own

can be prone to drought damage and die-back on un-irrigated green roofs. As part of mixed vegetation they provide visual contrast and additional structural diversity. Freely seeding grasses can dominate a roof and lower vegetation diversity. Koeleria glauca and K.macrantha are suitable, as are many Festuca species.

e ) Native Wildflowers

The increasing interest in green roofs for biodiversity has led to great interest the use of native plant species. Dry grassland plant communities offer much potential. Reliable species include Cowslip, Primula veris; Yarrow, Achillea millefolium,; Wild Thyme, Thymus drucei; Bird's Foot Trefoil, Lotus Corniculatus; Rough Hawkbit, Leontodon hispidus, Wall Germander, Teuchrium chamaedrys and Sea Campion, Silene uniflora.

How can plants be established on a green roof?

a ) Pre-grown Vegetation Mats

Vegetation mats offer instant greening, to a known specification. A geotextile mat supports a thin layer of growing medium, into which the plants are established at the plant nursery. The mats are transported, either flat or rolled up, to the green roof site. By far the most common type are sedum mats, composed of a mix of different sedum species. Very often such mats are laid over minimal depths of substrate or directly onto a moisture retention mat, thereby creating very lightweight systems, and in some instances this may be the only option available. Good contact between the mat and whatever is underneath is essential during the establish phase, and irrigation may be necessary. Species-diverse vegetation mats are also available for green roofs, which may or may not contain sedums, but which also include a range of flowering plants. Such mats have greater aesthetic appeal and biodiversity value, but must be used with a substrate layer. Traditional turf may also be used, again to create an instant vegetation. Wildflower turf can contain a good range of appropriate native species. However, the use of turf should only be considered where irrigation is available for establishment, and where a reasonable depth of growing medium is being used.

b ) Plug planting
Plugs are small rooted cuttings or seedlings, grown small compartments in cell trays containing compost. They are relatively cheap and allow a roof to be vegetated with a known mix of plants in the desired densities and arrangements. The plugs are planted directly into the substrate spread on the roof. Typical density of planting is 10 -15 plants per square metre. Planting is staggered rows ensures a more even coverage. The plugs should not be allowed to dry out in the trays, and should be thoroughly moistened before planting (dry plugs will hinder or prevent root outgrowth into the surrounding green roof growing medium), and the roof kept moist until the plug plants begin to root out into the growing medium. Sedum species are also available in larger plugs or discs which are established in exactly the same manner. In some instances, desired plants may not be available as plug plants, and container grown plants may have to be used. The smallest container size possible should be used (the mass of highly organic compost in most nursery obtained

container plants can hinder new root growth out into the more harsh green roof growing medium. If container plants are to be used, the roots should be loosened prior to planting to enable the greatest contact of roots with the green roof growing medium.

c ) Cuttings
Sedum species root readily from fragments of leaves and stems. Bags of sedum cuttings are readily available, which are strewn across the surface of the levelled growing medium on the roof. It is essential that the cuttings remain moist until rooting has occurred. On a large scale, 'hydro-seeding' techniques are used, whereby the cuttings are pumped out onto the roof in a slurry of water-retentive gel and nutrients. The additional moisture holding capacity aids establishment.

d ) Seedings
An alternative approach that is particularly useful if the growing medium is very coarse and seeds are likely to fall or be washed deep into the substrate, is to thinly spread a pre-inoculated (i.e containing the required seed mix) layer of sand or fine growing medium over the surface. The seed will already be incorporated well into the growing medium and therefore the surface will only require a light firming. Seeding is best undertaken in the autumn or late winter/spring - the dry hot summer months should be avoided. Some species require winter chilling, and therefore spring sowing of the plants would not be effective.

e ) Natural Colonisation
The most cost-effective and 'ecological' approach to vegetating green roofs is to allow natural colonisation: enabling plants which blow on to the roof surface naturally, or which are brought there by birds, for example, to establish unaided. It is a good technique for vegetating biodiverse roofs. Those plants which establish, survive and persist, will be, by definition, well-adapted to the green roof conditions, and will also be reflective of the typical vegetation of disturbed sites in the immediate area. It is best used with infertile or freely draining substrate - rich and productive substrates can encourage a rank, low-diversity outcome. However, this method leaves very little control over the composition of the vegetation, and only certain types of plants are able to get to the roof (those which are dispersed easily by wind for example). Many of the really tough and reliable green roof plants are not so mobile and would never get to the roof by these means. Because of the lack of control over the vegetation, and the type of plants that arrive easily, the aesthetic appearance can be very wild. Conversely, some very interesting and unexpected species can arrive, to create a unique and distinctive roof. In reality, there is no need to be restricted to using one method only. For example, plug plants can be used to create a reliable and known vegetation at low density, and a seed mix sown between to create a greater vegetation cover at lower cost. Natural colonisation can be enhanced by sowing and planting of desired species onto biodiverse roofs. Pre-grown vegetated mats can also be over-sown.

Which species are to be conserved or promoted on the green roof?

Biodiverse or wildlife roofs are designed to either replicate the habitat for a particular species or to create a range of habitats to maximise the array of species which can inhabit the roof. Roofs aimed at replacing or replicating habitats are becoming more common in the UK. These roofs are sometimes referred to as: biodiverse; brown; rubble; brownfield; eco; habitat or even by the name of the species they are aimed at i.e. black redstart roof. A wildlife roof is not necessarily the least expensive option nor should it be considered as an opportunity to recycle un-screened site waste on the roof of a new development. British Building Regulations outlaw the direct transfer of demolition waste to roof level, without adequate screening for potentially polluting elements within the materials. Such materials may not be suitable to attract intended species. Substrates such as topsoil are very fertile and heavy when saturated and may have

the seed or propagules of undesirable species within them, leading to a higher maintenance requirement.

The first question which should be asked when designing a wildlife roof is: 'Which species are to be conserved / promoted?' As with any green roof, the growing medium is key to the success or failure of the roof and this should complement the elements essential to the survival of the species. For example invertebrates prefer less compacted substrates that can be burrowed into for escaping from the midday sun. Before deciding on which habitat to create or species to target, consult your Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) to highlight priority species and their favoured habitat in need of protection in your area. These are available online or from your local Wildlife Trust. LBAPs apply to habitats, plants, invertebrates and birds.

What additional features should be included to promote a biodiverse green roof?

a ) Substrate for biodiverse and wildlife roofs

In many cases the substrate for biodiverse roofs is not what would usually be considered a growing medium. When specifying a biodiverse green roof a particular type of habitat is usually trying to be achieved. See Section VIII. Habitat Action Plan Score Card to help determine what materials can and should be used. Note: Demolition waste and site won materials can not be put straight on to the roof without screening for possible contaminates, harmful materials and there may also be seed banks of undesirable plants within any fine material.

b ) Mosaics of habitat

If the roof area is large enough it may be possible to create a variety of microhabitats to increase the attractiveness of the site to a wider range of plants, invertebrates and birds. You may want to section off the roof or have a different habitat on each different roof space. Different substrates, planting and depths can be used to create different habitats.

c ) Natural features to attract wildlife The following can be used to make additional habitat features: Dead trees / tree limbs
stripped and laid on the roof to provide perches for birds (they may need securing or weighing down).

Logs
Trees sawn into logs of no more than 600mm in length, laid on top of each other to provide nesting for insects and perches for birds. Stacked to no more than 350mm high.

Clean / Cleaned Bricks

Full and half bricks dumped in a pile to provide habitat for spiders and insects. Stacked to no more than 350mm high.

Stones
Local stone, cobbles or rocks can be used to create mounds for insects to live in and birds to peck through. The stones should be no more than the size of a fist or in the case of flat stone about the size of a plate. They must be stacked no more than 350mm high.

Sand
Ordinary sharp sand or builders ballast can be used to create either sand beds or sand mounds for species of insect and especially bees which nest in sand. Mounds should not be higher than the top of the nearest upstand.

d ) Vegetation
Many wildlife roof designers opt to allow self-colonisation to occur on the whole roof or part of it thereby, allowing a more locally appropriate habitat to develop from the local seed bank. With the exception of those grown specifically for the purpose, pre-grown vegetation mats are normally unsuitable for use on wildlife roofs due to the small number of species they contain, which may be of limited value for many invertebrates. It is also difficult for invertebrates to dig into the mats and make nests below the surface.

Green Roof Guidelines

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs provide numerous benefits, however, it is worth remembering that a client will often have their own priorities. By considering each benefit at the earliest stages of design it will be possible to create a green roof which is multi-responsive.
How should maintenance be managed?

a) Maintenance
The maintenance of green roofs is perceived to be one of the greatest barriers to their installation. The maintenance schedule should be considered during the design process, when the demand for maintenance input can be anticipated. There is no such thing as a 'no' maintenance roof, green or otherwise. All new commercial buildings are required to have roof and gutter checks twice a year and an extensive green roof can be designed to align with this requirement. The maintenance required will depend on the outcome desired by the client; this may range from weekly checks during summer on an intensive roof garden, to quarterly or even twice yearly checks on the most extensive green roofs. However, it is strongly advised to include the cost of the post installation maintenance programme within the budget and tender documents. Biodiverse roofs and those designed to be low-maintenance will still require visits once or twice a year to clear gutters and drains and remove any unwanted debris or litter. Extensive sedum roofs may require a more intensive maintenance regime, with some manufacturers recommending weeding three times a year and application of fertiliser once a year. Semi intensive roofs (unless a biodiverse type) and intensive green roofs designed with aesthetic appeal or the functionality of a roof garden, will necessarily dictate a more intensive maintenance regime, as would be required in most gardens. Maintenance usually occurs in late winter or early spring. Where breeding birds are expected such works should be undertaken before the nesting season begins. Roofs near to deciduous trees also need maintaining in late autumn to clear leaves.

b) Extensive <100mm Low Nutrition Substrate

q

q q

Drainage outlets and inspection chambers cleared of vegetation, as with any roof. Ensure outlets and shingle perimeters clear of dead and live plants. Generally they are allowed to develop into dry meadows.

c) Semi Extensive - 100mm to 200mm low to medium nutrition substrate

q q q

Drainage outlets and inspection chambers cleared of vegetation. Ensure outlets and shingle perimeters clear of dead and live plants. Removal of undesirable vegetation 6 monthly.

d) Intensive - 200mm + medium nutrition substrates and top soils

q q q q q

Drainage outlets and inspection chambers cleared of vegetation. Ensure outlets and shingle perimeters clear of dead and live plants. Intensive care of lawns, hedges etc. Replacement of failed plants exceeding 5% of plants installed. Replenishment of any areas of settled substrate.

e) Biodiverse - very low to low nutrition

q q q

Drainage outlets and inspection chambers cleared of vegetation. Ensure outlets and shingle perimeters clear of dead and live plants. Low vegetation is common and none is general undesirable.

f) Post Installation
Many contractors will include, or at least suggest and offer, an agreed period of regular maintenance. This is especially important whilst the roof is establishing. Some extensive green roof system suppliers will have their own approved contractors who will monitor progress immediately following installation and after the first full growing season (usually between 12-18 months) before finally signing over maintenance duties to the building manager. There are an increasing number of maintenance contractors who have received specialist training in green roof care from organisations such as GRO (The Green Roof Organisation) and BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries)

What are the key factors that should be considered during maintenance?

a) Undesirable Plants
All efforts should be made to prevent drains becoming blocked and the growth of unintentional vegetation which could be detrimental to the intentional planting regime, biodiversity aims and the building fabric (Buddleia, for example, should be removed while still immature). Sedums are not very competitive plants and after a warm and wet summer, areas of weeds can appear on an extensive roof. The weeds can be cleared. And bare areas left to naturally regenerate with sedum or other naturally colonising vegetation such as grasses. The sedum can then be seen merely as a successional stage that will lead to a more biodiverse roof. An alternative is to place cuttings of sedums on bare areas, cover with substrate and then water. After 3-4 weeks, the cuttings will become established. This should be carried out during spring or autumn to ensure climatic extremes such as frosts or hot sun will not inhibit growth.

b) Irrigation
Access to a water point is essential during the establishment stage of most green

roofs. However, on an extensive green roof a permanent irrigation system is not necessary. On intensive roofs such as lawns in rain shadowed locations this may be required. The deeper the substrate used the more moisture it can hold to ensure plant survival during dry periods.

c) Fertilisers
The preferred option is not to fertilise extensive green roofs, as species diversity may be reduced and the use of fertiliser will result in increased nutrient levels in storm-water runoff which will negatively affect local water quality. Where fertiliser is required to maintain the health of particular plant species, fertiliser application should be kept to a minimum and should be in accordance with the advice of the supplier. Where rainwater is harvested from a green roof, fertiliser should not be applied.

d) Fire Breaks
Vegetation breaks/barriers have an important safety function and prevent the spread of fire. All vegetation barriers at up-stands, roof penetrations and fire breaks must be maintained at their original width and cleared of any encroaching plants.

e) Drain Heads and Outlets

All drainage points must be checked every year and cleared out if necessary to ensure optimum performance. Excess water must be able to leave the roof, to avoid ponding and overloading.

f) Health and Safety During Maintenance

Where maintenance will be undertaken within 2m of the edge of a green roof, fall protection must be provided. It is important that fall protection systems are themselves maintained once a year. There are examples of green roofs on lowrise buildings that are now being designed so that the complete roof can be accessed from a cherry picker to reduce the risk of accidents.

How can damage of the green roof be minimised during maintenance?

a) Build-Up Awareness
Ensure anyone working on the roof is briefed as to the build-up of layered components.

b) Tools
Tools must be carefully chosen so as not to interfere or damage anything below the substrate.

c) Programme
Works should be programmed in order to minimise the amount of traffic across the green roof after installation. Repeated walking on a limited area of green roof will result in substrate compression and damage to vegetation.

Green Roof Guidelines

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs provide numerous benefits, however, it is worth remembering that a client will often have their own priorities. By considering each benefit at the earliest stages of design it will be possible to create a green roof which is multi-responsive.
Biodiverse Roof
Wildlife or brown roof designed to either replicate the habitat for a single or limited number of species or to create a range of habitats to maximise the array of species which inhabit the roof.

Brown Roof
Biodiverse or wildlife roof designed to either replicate the habitat for a single or limited number of species or to create a range of habitats to maximise the array of species which inhabit the roof.

BSi
British Standards

Drainage Layer / Reservoir Board

Part of the standard green roof build-up which allows excess water to drain away to the downpipe outlets. Some drainage layers also provide a reservoir effect to retain moisture for a longer period to help maintain. Drainage layers may be made of a variety of materials including hard plastic, foam or coarse gravel.

DIN Standards
Deutsches Institut fr Normung which means "German Institute for Standardization". DIN Standards are the published results of DIN's work.

Extensive Green Roof

Low nutrient and low maintenance, also often designed to be light weight. Not irrigated. Usually shallow substrate, typically less than 100mm, and often vegetated with sedum.

Filter Fleece / Fines Layer

Part of a standard green roof build-up which prevents fines and sediments from being washed into the drainage system.

FLL
Forschngsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftbau's (German Landscape Research, Development and Construction Society)

Green Roof
A roof or deck onto which vegetation is intentionally grown or habitats for wildlife are established, including: extensive, intensive and semi intensive roofs; roof gardens; biodiverse roofs; brown roofs; public and private amenity spaces.

The Green Roof System

The layers of material which make up a green roof build-up.

Growing Medium / Substrate

An engineered soil replacement specifically designed to give green roof plants what they need and to survive and to allow water to be absorbed and to drain away. Substrates contain specified ratio of organic and inorganic material.

GRO
Green Roof Organisation The industry forum for green roof development and promotion in the UK, facilitated by the NFRC.

Hydro Seeding
Spraying a specially designed blend of seeds and growing medium.

HSE

Health and Safety Executive

Intensive Green Roof

A green roof that requires intensive maintenance. Usually irrigated and usually with more than 200mm depth of substrate. Equivalent to a garden and usually referred to as a roof garden.

Protection Layer
Relatively thick (2mm) geotextile blanket which provides protection to the waterproof membrane while the other parts of the green roof system are being installed.

Reservoir Board / Drainage Layer

Part of the standard green roof build-up which allows excess water to drain away to the downpipe outlets. Some drainage layers also provide a reservoir effect to retain moisture for a longer period to help maintain. Drainage layers may be made of a variety of materials including hard plastic, foam or coarse gravel.

Root Barrier
A standard feature of a green roof. A membrane or layer designed to prevent roots from penetrating the waterproofing layer and building fabric.

Sedum
A genus of about 400 species of low growing leafy succulents which are drought tolerant and found throughout the northern hemisphere. Not all species are suitable for roofs.

Semi Intensive Green Roof

Intermediate green roof type with characteristics of both extensive and intensive green roofs. Typically 100mm to 200mm substrate depth, sometimes irrigated, occasionally managed, and usually planted with a range of species.

Standard / Traditional / Conventional Roof

Un-vegetated and non-absorbent roofs i.e. asphalt, single ply, mineral felt, liquid applied, metal deck etc.

Substrate/ Growing Medium

An engineered soil replacement specifically designed to give green roof plants what

they need and to survive and to allow water to be absorbed and to drain away. Substrates contain specified ratio of organic and inorganic material.

System
The term given to the combination of layers in a green roof build-up.

SUDS
Sustainable (Urban) Drainage Systems

Vapour Barrier
Typically a plastic or foil sheet that resists diffusion of moisture through wall, ceiling and floor in a buildings.

Wildlife Roof
Biodiverse or brown roofs designed to either replicate the habitat for a single or limited number of species or to create a range of habitats to maximise the array of species.

www.greenroofguidelines.co.uk
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