Study each topic below — these are the core knowledge areas tested in Year 1. Build a solid foundation here before advancing to Year 2 material.
📖Roof Slope and Pitch
- Pitch notation: rise/run ratio (6:12 = 6" rise per 12" horizontal)
- Angle calculations: 12:12 pitch = 45 degrees
- Slope requirements for membrane drainage
- Minimum slope for different membrane types
- Roof deck slope verification and measurement
📖Low-Slope Roof Systems
- Typical slope: 1/4" per 12" minimum (≤ 3:12)
- Applications in commercial and industrial buildings
- Positive drainage design and scuppers
- Crickets and saddles for drainage direction
- Ponding water and maintenance implications
📖Steep-Slope Systems
- Applied to slopes greater than 3:12
- Better water shedding and faster drainage
- Residential and heritage applications
- Slip resistance and fall protection requirements
- Ventilation and moisture management
📖Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
- Alternating layers: bitumen and fabric/fiberglass mat
- Application sequence and temperature requirements
- Gravel or cap sheet surface protection
- System ratings: 3-ply, 4-ply, 5-ply common
- Lap joints and sealing procedures
📖Modified Bitumen Membranes
- APP (Atactic Polypropylene) vs SBS (Styrene-Butadiene)
- Torch-applied and self-adhered products
- Two-ply and three-ply systems
- Cold-applied and adhesive methods
- UV protection and surface coatings
📖Single-Ply Membranes
- TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin): seams heat-welded
- EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene): adhesive seams
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): chemical and heat seams
- Membrane thickness and puncture resistance
- Ballast vs. mechanical attachment strategies
📖Asphalt Shingles for Steep-Slope
- Three-tab and architectural (laminate) shingles
- Wind resistance ratings: 60-150 mph rated
- Nailing patterns and fastener placement
- Starter and ridge cap installation
- Exposure rate and overlap calculations
📖Flashing Details
- Pitch pan and roof penetration flashing
- Wall and parapet flashing integration
- Expansion joint and deck termination details
- Valley flashing: open vs. closed valleys
- Eave and gutter connections
📖Underlayment Requirements
- Felt paper and synthetic underlayment specifications
- Permeability ratings and breathability
- Installation overlap and sealing procedures
- Weather barrier protection during construction
- Ice and water shield applications
📖Roof Drainage Design
- Internal drains and roof slope coordination
- Drain flow calculations (GPM per square foot)
- Overflow scuppers and secondary drainage
- Pipe sizing and material selection
- Sediment traps and cleanout access
📖Wind Uplift and Fastening
- Wind pressure calculations by zone and height
- Fastener spacing and pull-through ratings
- Plate movement analysis and expansion
- Enhanced fastening in high wind areas
- Verification testing and load calculations
📖Advanced Waterproofing Systems
- Liquid-applied membranes and coatings
- Spray-applied polyurethane foam (SPF)
- Green roofs and living systems
- Moisture and vapor management details
- Thermal insulation integration
🔥Seam Welding and Joint Details
- Hot-air welding and equipment operation
- Seam preparation and cleanliness requirements
- Weld test patches and field verification
- Chemical welding for specialty membranes
- Seam quality assessment and repair
🦺Roof Access and Safety Systems
- Roof walking pads and protection boards
- Fall arrest systems and anchor design
- Equipment and tool placement on membrane
- Maintenance traffic routes and planning
- LEED and sustainable roof maintenance
📖Complex Roof Geometries
- Curved and domed roof systems
- Multi-level and terraced roofs
- Mansard and complex steep-slope design
- Penetration coordination in dense areas
- Membrane stress and movement management
📖Building Integration and Coordination
- HVAC equipment and duct routing
- Solar panel mounting systems
- Skylight and roof light integration
- Structural and MEP coordination meetings
- BIM model coordination and clash detection
📖Roof Maintenance and Lifecycle
- Inspection protocols and documentation
- Preventive maintenance programs
- Repair vs. replacement economics
- Warranty requirements and claims
- Roof life cycle cost analysis
📋Environmental and Code Compliance
- National Building Code roof requirements
- Provincial amendments and local bylaws
- Energy code and thermal resistance
- Fire resistance ratings and testing
- Sustainable roofing standards (LEED, GRESB)