CSA A123.24:21

National Standard of Canada

Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly

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  CSA A123.24:21

  February 2021

  
  

  Title: Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly

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National Standard of Canada

CSA A123.24:21

Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly

®A trademark of the Canadian Standards Association, operating as “CSA Group”

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ICS 91.060.20

ISBN 978-1-4883-3380-4

© 2021 Canadian Standards Association

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CSA A123.24:21 Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly

Contents

Technical Committee on Bituminous Roofing Materials 3

Preface 7

1. Scope 8

   1. General 8

   2. Applicability 8

   3. Exceptions 8

   4. Terminology 8

   5. Units of measurement 8

      
      

2. Reference publications 8

   
   

3. Definitions 9

   
   

4. Significance of the test 9

   1. General 9

   2. Procedure 9

      
      

5. Test precautions 9

   1. General 9

   2. Personal protective equipment 10

   3. Safety data sheets 10

      
      

6. Wind uplift resistance of vegetated roof assembly 10

   1. Test apparatus 10

   2. Test specimen 10

      1. General 10

      2. Modular vegetated system 10

      3. Built-in-place vegetated system 10

   3. Instrumentation 10

      1. Pressure sensor 10

      2. Deflection sensor 11

         
         

7. Wind flow resistance of vegetated roof system 11

   1. Test apparatus 11

   2. Test specimen 11

      1. General 11

      2. Roof system installation 11

      3. Load cell installation 11

      4. Vegetated system installation 11

      5. Weight of the test specimen 12

      6. Test rig 12

   3. Instrumentation 12

      1. Air flow sensor 12

      2. Weight measuring system 12

      3. Depth measuring device 12

         
         

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         CSA A123.24:21 Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly

         
         

8. Test procedure 12

   1. Wind uplift resistance of vegetated roof assembly 12

   2. Wind flow resistance of vegetated roof assembly 13

      
      

9. Termination of the test 13

   1. Wind uplift resistance of vegetated roof assembly 13

   2. Wind flow resistance of vegetated roof assembly 13

      
      

10. Test report 13

    1. Wind uplift resistance of vegetated roof assembly 13

    2. Wind flow resistance of vegetated roof assembly 14

       1. Test report author(s) 14

       2. Test specimen description 14

       3. Test specimen weights 14

       4. Wind speed plots 14

       5. Wind flow rating 14

       6. Failure mode 14

Annex A (normative) — Flow chart for determining wind flow resistance 19

February 2021 © 2021 Canadian Standards Association 2

CSA A123.24:21 Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly

Preface

This is the second edition of CSA A123.24, Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly. It supersedes the previous edition published in 2015, under the title Standard test method for wind resistance of modular vegetated roof assembly.

The previous edition was limited to modular vegetated roof assembly (MVRA). This edition introduces the specimen requirements, test methodology, and failure criteria for the built in place vegetated roof assembly (BVRA). BVRA and MVRA covers over 80% of the Canadian vegetated roof assembly market share. This edition is also updated to align with the NBCC 2015’s load resistance factor design procedure.

This Standard is based on the ongoing research and testing that is being carried out at the National Research Council Canada (NRCC). This document provides requirements for wind resistance testing of vegetated roof assemblies. The requirements specified include specimen set-up, instrumentation and apparatus, testing procedures, and termination.

CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support from the SIGDERS-VRA consortia managed by the Canadian Roofing Contractors’ Association (CRCA).

This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Bituminous Roofing Materials, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Construction and Civil Infrastructure, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. Notes:

1. Use of the singular does not exclude the plural (and vice versa) when the sense allows.

2. Although the intended primary application of this Standard is stated in its Scope, it is important to note that it remains the responsibility of the users of the Standard to judge its suitability for their particular purpose.

3. This Standard was developed by consensus, which is defined by CSA Policy governing standardization — Code of good practice for standardization as “substantial agreement. Consensus implies much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity”. It is consistent with this definition that a member may be included in the Technical Committee list and yet not be in full agreement with all clauses of this Standard.

4. To submit a request for interpretation of this Standard, please send the following information to inquiries@csagroup.org and include “Request for interpretation” in the subject line:

   1. define the problem, making reference to the specific clause, and, where appropriate, include an illustrative sketch;

   2. provide an explanation of circumstances surrounding the actual field condition; and

   3. where possible, phrase the request in such a way that a specific “yes” or “no” answer will address the issue.

      Committee interpretations are processed in accordance with the CSA Directives and guidelines governing standardization and are available on the Current Standards Activities page at standardsactivities.csa.ca.

5. This Standard is subject to review within five years from the date of publication. Suggestions for its improvement will be referred to the appropriate committee. To submit a proposal for change, please send the following information to inquiries@csagroup.org and include “Proposal for change” in the subject line:

   1. Standard designation (number);

   2. relevant clause, table, and/or figure number;

   3. wording of the proposed change; and

   4. rationale for the change.

February 2021 © 2021 Canadian Standards Association 7

CSA A123.24:21 Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly

CSA A123.24:21

Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly

1. Scope

   
   

   1. General

      The test method in this Standard determines the wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly when subjected to dynamic wind flow and dynamic wind uplift in laboratory conditions.

      
      

   2. Applicability

      Testing in accordance with the test method in this Standard is applicable to modular and built-in-place vegetated roof systems.

      
      

   3. Exceptions

      Testing in accordance with the test method in this Standard is not applicable to mechanically attached membrane roofing system as defined in Clause 3 of CSA A123.21.

      
      

   4. Terminology

      In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

      Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

      
      

      Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

      
      

      Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

      
      

   5. Units of measurement

      The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.

      
      

2. Reference publications

This Standard refers to the following publications, and where such reference is made, it shall be to the edition listed below, including all amendments published thereto.

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