Material Classification and Application for Acceptance

1 Overview

The RoofStar Guarantee Program is comprised of five integral components, each governed by policy and standards:

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

Accepted Materials (also referred to in this Manual as "Materials", "Accepted Products" or simply as "Products") are critical to the integrity of the Program. Not every material in the marketplace can be used in a Guarantee project – only those that have a proven record of performance, that meet the criteria or application requirements set out in our RoofStar Guarantee Standards, and that are backed by field verification and a manufacturer’s bond, qualify to be listed in the Roofing Practices 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 Criteria

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

2.1 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) and each F-090 Supplement:

• 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 (as checked off by the applicant on form F-090 Supplement). NOTE: For all low-slope membranes, this must include current testing to CAN/CSA A123.21. All tested assembly reports must be included as a PDF with the application.
• Verifiable marketplace installation in the 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 Inspection Firm and Inspector, confirming the performance of the material named on the application form F-090 Material Acceptance Application.
• Approvals (any and all jurisdictions)

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

2.2 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 F-090 Material Acceptance Application:

• Current Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
• Current Application Specifications
• Material Testing (indicated on the current, valid Technical Data Sheet)
• Verifiable marketplace installation in the 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)

2.3 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)

• Overflow scuppers
• 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)

3 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:

3.1 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.

3.2 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.

3.3 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.

4 Name Changes, Substitutions, and Discontinued Materials

4.1 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.

4.2 Product Discontinuance and Replacement

When a manufacturer notifies the RoofStar Guarantee Program (RGC) that an Accepted Material has been replaced with a product of substantial equivalency (meaning equal to or better than the product it is replacing, as for example in its thickness, weight, density or reinforcement), manufacturers may apply for a review of the replacement product without first demonstrating two years’ marketplace product experience. To do so, each manufacturer must:

• Submit a new Application form and attach, on a separate page or document, a detailed explanation of the changes or differences between products. The submitter must make a written declaration on that form, that the replacement product is substantially equivalent to the Accepted Material it is replacing;
• Submit the Technical Data Sheets for both the discontinued product and its replacement;
• Submit test data from a qualified testing lab/facility, demonstrating that the replacement product has met or exceeded the test requirements under CAN/CSA A123.21 (current edition), where applicable.

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

4.3 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.

5 Application and Review

5.1 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)
• Form F-090 Material Acceptance Application (fillable)
• Form F-091 Application Supplement (one for each product/material)(fillable)
• Policy A-055 Associate Member Commitment (one-time only)(fillable)*
• Product History (fillable)

Existing Members Application:

• Policy A-041 Material Acceptance Criteria
• Form F-090 Material Acceptance Application (fillable)
• Form F-091 Application Supplement (one for each product/material)(fillable)
• Product History (fillable)

Note that the F-090 Material Acceptance Application is used to list all the materials submitted for review and acceptance, and that the F-091 Application Supplement must be completed for each product listed on the Application form. Each F-090 Material Acceptance Application and F-091 Application Supplement 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.

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.

5.2 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.

5.3 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.

5.4 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.

6 Downloads: 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

F-090 Material Acceptance Application

F-091 Product Documentation (Application Supplement)

Product History (Fillable Template, 11x17)

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Accepted Materials

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