Eco-friendly cool roofs with Australian Institute of Waterproofing

Hotel Chain Could Adopt Cool Roofs
White roof paint greatly reduces the amount of heat a building absorbs from the sun, which significantly cuts the cost of heating and cooling a structure, experts say. In California, the Anaheim Hilton is covered with a topcoat of paint that is filled with tiny hollow glass balls that deflect heat. The roof cost $150,000 to install, far less than it would have cost for a traditional repair. Hilton believes energy savings will be so significant that it may add similar roofs to all of its hotels. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy is urging consumers to invest in cool roofs, and large companies have started to develop eco-friendly roof paints. (7/15) Los Angeles Times

Australian Standard AS 4654.2 - 2009
(Waterproofing membrane systems for exterior use - Above Ground Level)
This Standard is now published and available from SAI Global Limited. The implications of this and other new standards will place an importance for attention to detail to be carried out by all parties, from the architects and designers, to the builders and the applicators. This new standard addresses many of the risk issues for external waterproofing, including waterproofing detail to doors and windows onto external waterproofed areas; and vertical upward termination lengths taking terrain categories and wind speed into consideration.

Standards Australia
Recent advice from SA addressed the following flow-on effects and changes to their operations (www.standards.org.au);

• Impact of global financial crisis.
• Reduction of fixed expenses.
• Accelerate the implementation of the New Business Model.
• International Standards.
• Next steps - advancing projects.

What does this mean?

• From 1 July 2009, all new projects irrespective of the chosen pathway, will require stakeholder funding;
• Where possible and appropriate, International Standards are considered for the Australian market to avoid duplication of work across Standards jurisdictions.
• An alternative for stakeholders is to become accredited to develop their own Australian Standards in accordance with ABSDO criteria and requirements (www.absdo.org.au).