Engineering Tomorrow's Envelopes: Smart Blue Roofs Pioneering Sustainable Building Practices

4:30pm – 5:30pm

Jason Paulos, Sidney Picco, Sal Alejek

Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Credits: This session has been approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH. | This session has been approved for 1.0 AIA LU/HSW. | 1 hour (60 min) of Education is eligible for 1 BSS Credit | 1 OAA Core Learning Hour | Session may qualify for PEEK CPD.
Session Topics(s): Roofing: R

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, the attendee will be able to:

• Recognize and differentiate between Stormwater Detention Assemblies and Roof Integrated Design components in blue roof design.
• Explain at regulatory requirements outlined in the National Building Code of Canada and National Plumbing Code of Canada regarding blue roof implementation.
• Discuss at least two potential benefits of blue roofs in mitigating urban flooding and managing stormwater runoff.
• Identify and explain the key differences between green and blue roofs.
• Evaluate the feasibility of integrating blue roof systems and describe design considerations based on presented examples.

Description
As the frequency and intensity of stormwater-related events escalate globally due to climate change, urban areas face mounting challenges in managing excess water runoff. In response, blue roofs offer an innovative solution to this problem. While prolonged water exposure on roofing assemblies is typically avoided, blue roofs present a strategic approach to mitigating urban flooding by integrating building envelopes and smart technologies. This  intermediate-level presentation provides an overview of blue roof design, beginning with an exploration of the pressing stormwater challenges confronting municipalities. We delve into the concept of blue roofs and their potential benefits, emphasizing their role in urban flood mitigation. Drawing upon the National Building Code of Canada and Plumbing Code of Canada, we analyze the regulatory framework governing blue roof implementation. Through a detailed case study of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority Smart Blue Roof Project, we examine various facets of the design process, including membrane selection, concealed conditions issues, water depths, mechanical system integration, chlorine use, flow restrictors, and more. As one of the pioneering Smart Blue Roof projects in Canada, this presentation serves as a resource for engineers, architects, and policymakers seeking innovative strategies to address the pressing challenges of urban stormwater management using building envelope design.

Presenters/Authors

Jason Paulos, MBSc, LEED AP

Facade Project Manager
WSP Canada Inc.

Jason Paulos is an experienced project manager at WSP, with a strong background in the construction industry. With over 10 years of diverse experience, hehas made significant contributions in various sectors, including manufacturing, contracting, and consulting. He has undertaken projects in residential, institutional, commercial, and transportation divisions. He actively supports company-wide efforts to develop low-carbon solutions to enhance building envelope performance. He also plays a key role in WSP’s research and analysis of high-performance glazing systems.
 

Sal Alajek

Project Director
WSP Canada Inc.

Sal Alajek is a professional engineer and building sciences specialist at WSP Canada Inc. With a focus on existing building rehabilitation, his work encompasses building envelope, structure, and mechanical systems. His expertise extends to evaluating durability, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort implications in design and construction. He is a project director and has taken various leadership roles supporting the WSP National Technical Centres of Excellence.

Nonpresenting Author

Sidney Picco, BASc

Project Manager
WSP Canada Inc.

Sidney Picco is a project manager on the building sciences team at WSP. Her experience lies in roof restoration projects across residential, commercial, and healthcare sectors. She has a strong interest in roofing-related work, especially green and blue roofs. She is also experienced in conducting infrared thermographic scans of building envelopes and roofs, having earned her Level I Thermographer designation from the Infrared Training Center.