Material Classification and Application for Acceptance

Division C - Accepted Materials

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Material Classification and Application for Acceptance

1. Overview

The RoofStar Guarantee Program is comprised of five integral components, explained in The RoofStar™ Guarantee Program:

• Membership
• Training
• Accepted Materials
• Guarantee Standards
• Independent Observations

Accepted Materials (also referred to in this Manual as "Materials", "Accepted Products" or simply as "Products") are critical to the integrity of the The RoofStar™ Guarantee Program. Not every material in the marketplace may be specified and installed in a project for which a RoofStar Guarantee is required – only those that satisfy the acceptance criteria published in separate documents (see Material Acceptance Criteria, below) or in the various Standards published in this Manual.

Only Members of the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia may apply for Material Acceptance in the RoofStar™ Guarantee Program. To become a member of the RCABC, visit our website.

Applications for material acceptance are received and reviewed three times per calendar year – January, May and September. Applications must be received three weeks in advance of the scheduled Technical Committee meeting, or they will be deferred to the next meeting in the rotation. See the Events Calendar for the next scheduled Technical Committee meetings.

2. Material Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance Criteria created by the RGC (“Guarantor”) are intended solely to establish objective requirements for materials used in the RoofStar™ Guarantee Program (property of the RCABC Guarantee Corp. (RGC)) through which the RGC issues the RoofStar™ Guarantee for waterproofing and water-shedding systems. Materials used in the construction of waterproofing or water-shedding systems must be accepted by the RGC. Refer to other resources on this page or in this Manual, as they related to acceptance criteria and the application and approval process.

RGC Acceptance Criteria are made available only as part of the administrative acceptance process for the RoofStar™ Guarantee Program, for products manufactured by Associate Members of the RCABC. Use of this Acceptance Criteria for any other purpose shall be at the sole discretion of the user and is not endorsed or condoned by the RGC. Furthermore, this Acceptance Criteria, and the term “accepted”, shall not be construed as a measure of a material’s efficacy or its suitability for any application outside the RoofStar™ Guarantee Program, nor shall it be construed to mean that the Guarantor endorses a product conforming to the requirements set out in this document.

RGC Acceptance Criteria provide guidelines for the material and performance characteristics to which an accepted material must conform. Acceptance is confirmed by the Guarantor through a review of the applicant’s submission and is finally endorsed by the RGC Board of Directors. Accepted materials are periodically reviewed by the RGC for conformity to these criteria, and acceptance may be revoked at any time should the product change so that it no longer conforms.

RGC Acceptance Criteria documents are evaluated periodically by the RGC Technical Committee, which meets throughout the year. The RGC reserves the right under policy to change Acceptance Criteria at any time, and any changes to this Acceptance Criteria shall be effective on the date shown on each Criteria document. Changes will be highlighted for a period of twelve (12) months. Previous versions of this Acceptance Criteria can be requested in writing from the Guarantor.

In the event that a product listed in the RoofStar™ Guarantee Program is rendered non-conforming by a change in an Acceptance Criteria, the manufacturer will have up to twelve (12) months from the date of the change to conform to the Acceptance Criteria and resubmit the material for acceptance by the RGC. Non-conforming materials will be removed from the RoofStar™ Guarantee Program.

The following RGC Acceptance Criteria documents are available for download and are referenced in one or more Standards published in this Manual.

Acceptance Criteria for Roof Waterproofing System materials

(In development)

Acceptance Criteria for Water-shedding System materials

1. RGC ACWS-PUL (RGC ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA for MECHANICALLY ATTACHED POLYMERIC ROOF UNDERLAYMENTS Used in Water-shedding Systems)
2. RGC ACSW-ASH (RGC ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA for INORGANIC FIBREGLASS-REINFORCED ASPHALT SHINGLES Used in Water-shedding Systems)

Acceptance Criteria for Grade-level Waterproofing System materials

(In development)

Submitters presenting applications to the RGC for material acceptance must use the RGC Application for Material Acceptance, available in Policies and Forms, below.

3. Material Classification

The RCABC classifies Accepted Materials (ref. Policy A-041) using three criteria, each with specific Material Application requirements:

3.1. Primary Materials

A Primary Material is a roofing, waterproofing or water-shedding material which is directly exposed to the weather and which is primarily responsible for protecting secondary materials, and the building interior, from water and weather generally. Membranes, metal panels or shingles form the core of this material type. Primary Materials also include (without limitation)

• Vents
• Drains

Primary Materials must be supported by a manufacturer’s Material Bond (ref. RGC Policy A-078 Material Acceptance Agreement and RGC Policy A-055 Associate member Commitment; also see RGC Policy A-006 Active Member Criteria). The following Documentation is the minimum requirements and must accompany a Material Acceptance Application (form F-090):

• Current Technical Data Sheet (TDS) – each TDS must be dated and show the current ASTM and or CSA related required tests, including numerical values.
• Current Application Specifications.
• Proof of Material Testing, where required. For all roof waterproofing membranes, this must include current testing using the test method, CSA-A123.21. All Tested Assembly reports must be included as a PDF with the application.
• Verifiable marketplace installation in British Columbia, over a period of no less than a two (2) years, ending at the time of application (Note: this can be supplemented by marketplace ‘experience’ in similar regions, for the same specified period of time, but BC marketplace data is required).
• Independent inspection reports by an accepted Observation Firm and Observer, confirming the performance of the material named on the RGC Application for Material Acceptance.
• Approvals (any and all jurisdictions).

Additionally, applicants must identify the local technical representative for the materials submitted for application.

3.2. Secondary Materials

A Secondary Material is one which forms part of the roof or waterproofing assembly and which may affect the wind resistance characteristics of the entire assembly, but is not necessarily exposed to the weather. This category of materials includes (without limitation)

• Deck overlay board
• Roof underlayment (all slopes) and eave protection
• Insulation (board or panel; tapered)
• Insulation overlay board
• Joint tape
• Liquid Membranes (for flashing only)
• Fasteners and stress plates
• Adhesives

Required Documentation accompanying an RGC Application for Material Acceptance:

• Current Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
• Current Application Specifications
• Material Testing (indicated on the current, valid Technical Data Sheet)
• Verifiable marketplace installation in British Columbia, over a period of no less than a two (2) years, ending at the time of application (Note: this can be supplemented by marketplace ‘experience’ in similar regions, for the same specified period of time, but BC marketplace data is required)

3.3. Accessories

An Accessory is a material that joins Primary or Secondary Materials together, or is connected to/with a Primary or Secondary material, but does not by its nature (apart from its installation) directly affect the water or wind resistance of the roofing or waterproofing assembly. This can include (without limitation)

• Caulking or sealants
• Mastics

Accessories currently are not ‘accepted’ in the RoofStar Guarantee Program. However, manufacturers or suppliers wishing to have their accessories listed in the Accepted Materials section of the RoofStar Roofing Practices Manual must provide the following documentation as a condition for listing:

• Current Technical Data Sheet (TDS) – must show certifications and tested limits consistent with the requirements set out for Primary Roofing Materials
• Current Application Specifications
• Material Testing, where applicable (indicated on the current, valid Technical Data Sheet)

4. Labeling and Branding

Product labeling impacts both RCABC membership requirements and the way in which the material application is considered for acceptance. The RGC RoofStar Guarantee Program uses the following criteria for the evaluation and acceptance of Materials:

4.1. Branded (or Proprietary)

Branded, or Proprietary, is the term used to indicate that a product has been made by, and labeled exclusively with the name of, the manufacturer. These products are packaged with the explicit identification of the manufacturer. They have been tested by the manufacturer, and the Technical Data Sheet will show that the manufacturer has undertaken this Due Diligence.

When a material is said to be branded, the manufacturer carries the liability for the product and, as such, the material bond attaches to any of the manufacturer’s products accepted for use in the RoofStar Guarantee Program.

4.2. Private Labeled

Private Labeled means a product manufactured by one company for another manufacturer, distributor or installer (the distributor or seller), and where the product packaging (and on the product itself, if the product is amenable to labeling) shows only the name of the distributor or seller.

When a material is said to be Private Labeled, the material specifications may be substantively different from those of its ‘cousin’ product. The distributor or seller whose name the Private Labelled material carries, and not the original manufacturer, is legally liable for the product. The distributor or seller, not the original manufacturer, is responsible for testing. And the Technical Data Sheet will carry only the distributor’s or seller’s name on it, as if they had manufactured it. As such, then, the actual manufacturer’s material bond will not attach to the product, should it fail.

For Private Labeled materials, a new material application is required, regardless of the manufacturer or the material’s similarities to an Accepted Material. Furthermore, all bond requirements apply to the distributor or seller regardless of who manufactured the product.

4.3. Co-branded

Co-branded refers to products labeled both with the manufacturer’s name and with the name of a distributor/installer who wishes to use it for advertising.

When a material is said to be Co-branded, the material packaging identifies the manufacturer (though perhaps not always exclusively). Additionally, the manufacturer pays for the tests and is fully liable for any product failures. As such, the material bond posted by the manufacturer attaches to a Co-branded product.

For manufacturers whose product already has acceptance in the RoofStar Guarantee Program, no new Accepted Material application is required for an identical Co-branded product. However, the RCABC reserves the right to examine the technical data of a Co-branded product to verify its acceptability.

5. Name Changes, Substitutions, and Discontinued Materials

5.1. Name Changes

When a manufacturer notifies the RoofStar Guarantee Program (RGC) that an Accepted Material has been renamed, or when the RoofStar Guarantee Program (RGC) discovers that an Accepted Material has been renamed, the manufacturer must immediately support that claim with a new Technical Data Sheet verifying that only the name has changed. Unsupported and verified name changes will result in the deletion of the product from the RoofStar Guarantee Program.

5.2. Material Discontinuance, Substitutions or Additions

Some materials may be reviewed and accepted for use in the RoofStar Guarantee Program without requiring either documented marketplace experience or a formal review and acceptance by the RGC Technical Committee. This shorter process for the acceptance of materials is limited to the following types of application presented to the RoofStar Guarantee Program:

A material offered by the manufacturer as

• a substantially equivalent substitution for a material currently accepted for use in the RoofStar Guarantee Program, but which has been discontinued from production by the manufacturer;
• an improved replacement for a material already accepted for use in the RoofStar Guarantee Program;
• an improved material substantially similar to, and intended as an addition to, a material already accepted for use in the RoofStar Guarantee Program.

To apply, each manufacturer through its representative must:

• Submit an F-090 Application form (requiring the manufacturer to provide a detailed explanation of the product changes or improvements) and make a declaration in the space provided, that the new material is substantially equivalent to the material it will replace or will improve upon and complement;
• Submit the Technical Data Sheets and other required documentation (independent test reports, if required by an RGC Acceptance Criteria document), both for any discontinued product and for newly submitted materials;
• Submit test data from a qualified lab/facility, demonstrating that the new material has met or exceeded the test requirements under CSA-A123.21 (current edition), where applicable.

Forms may be downloaded below. See the instructions for using fillable forms.

These applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the RoofStar Guarantee Program, and decisions presented to the RGC Technical Committee only for information purposes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the RoofStar Guarantee Program reserves the right to reject the applicant’s claims and to require an applicant to submit a full application complete with a marketplace product history.

5.3. New Applications

A product that is not replacing an existing Accepted Material is considered a new material and therefore must be submitted for acceptance by the RoofStar Guarantee Program (RGC) with a complete Accepted Material Application, including the manufacturer’s demonstration of 2 years marketplace product history.

6. Application and Review

6.1. Policies and Forms

Products (materials), assemblies or systems must be reviewed and accepted by the RGC (RoofStar Guarantee Program) Technical Committee and by the RGC Board of Directors. The following policies and forms for application are available to download from the Accepted Materials section of the RPM:

New Members Application:

• Policy A-041 Material Acceptance Criteria
• Policy A-078 Material Acceptance Agreement (one-time only)(fillable)
• Policy A-080 Material Bond (one-time only)(fillable)
• RGC Application for Material Acceptance (fillable)
• Policy A-055 Associate Member Commitment (one-time only)(fillable)*
• Product History (fillable)

Existing Members Application:

• Policy A-041 Material Acceptance Criteria
• RGC Application for Material Acceptance (fillable)
• Product History (fillable)

Note that the RGC Application for Material Acceptance is used to list all the materials submitted for review and acceptance. Each RGC Application for Material Acceptance must be signed, dated and fully supported by the documentation listed on the respective form. Incomplete documentation may result in the rejection of an application.

Applications for material acceptance will be handled on the basis of “first come, first served”, but the RGC Administration reserves the right to cap the number of applications and give priority to new material applications.

Documents, including but not limited to Technical Data Sheets, Application Guides and third-party field reviews, must not be locked or password protected. Locked or password protected documents will be rejected and the application package will be labelled "Incomplete".

Unsigned forms constitute an incomplete application and will be rejected by the RCABC.

How to Use Fillable Forms

• Download and save a blank copy to your computer or server
• Reopen the file with Adobe Acrobat or another PDF reading/writing program to activate the fillable field function
• Complete the form and save it
• Submit completed forms electronically to the RoofStar Guarantee Program and indicate “New Material Acceptance application” in the Subject line.

6.2. Product Samples

At least one product sample must accompany an application for acceptance of a new material submitted for examination by the Technical Committee. Failure to supply a sample may result in the rejection of the application.

6.3. Internal Review

Applications for Material Acceptance are reviewed by the RCABC Technical Department of the RoofStar Guarantee Program. Questions about the application process or acceptance criteria can be directed to the RoofStar Guarantee Program via email, or by calling (604) 882-9734.

6.4. Committee Reviews and Acceptance

Each completed application is reviewed by the RCABC Technical Department and subsequently presented to the RGC Technical Committee, which accepts or rejects the application. The Technical Committee subsequently recommends each material or assembly to the RGC Board of Directors for final acceptance or rejection. Once a material or assembly is accepted by the RGC Board of Directors, Manufacturing or Distribution members are listed in the RPM, and their materials displayed on their own page, and in relevant sections of the Roofing Practices Manual.

7. Policies and Forms

Key policies and forms required for an application of material acceptance referenced above are available below for downloading. Most forms are designed with fillable fields; to utilize the form-fill function, save the file to a suitable location on your computer or server and open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Note: policies and forms are subject to change without notice. Readers are advised to download policies and forms only when making an application for material acceptance to the RoofStar Guarantee Program.

Policy A-055 Associate Member Commitment

Policy A-041 Material Acceptance Criteria

Policy A-078 Material Acceptance Agreement

Policy A-080 Material Bond

RGC Application for Material Acceptance

Product History (Fillable Template, 11x17)

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