
Evaluation of roofs and facades with polycarbonate sheets
Manufacturers of building systems based on polycarbonate multiwall sheets must obtain a CE mark for their products. This implies that the sheets meet the requirements of EN 16153, but it does not provide any guarantee on the combined performance of the sheets and the substructure, which is the true responsible for stability, insulation and fire resistance. To fill this gap, an evaluation protocol will be designed, contemplating the behaviour of the building system as a whole and checking it against the national regulations.

Assessment of waterproofing building solutions with synthetic sheets
Waterproofing membranes for flat roofs are regulated by harmonized standards that engage manufacturers with the declaration of performance of the sheets themselves, but without going into how to put them in place correctly or how to meet the requirements of national building regulations such as the Spanish CTE. This assessment document addresses these shortcomings, defining the correct installation of the sheet and its accessory range, and clarifying the degree of compliance with CTE.

Fire reaction of the skylights of industrial buildings
When skylights are added on the top of an industrial building for lighting purposes, they become points of discontinuity in the roof that can be problematic in case of fire. The Spanish Fire Safety Regulation for Industrial Facilities requires that the skylight material must prove a certain type of fire reaction, but with a series of caveats that have prompted a manufacturer to request from ITeC a precise specification of the kind of performance that will be legally required from their products.

Evaluation of liquid waterproofing systems for roofs and bridge decks
Development and analysis of the regulatory and functional requirements to evaluate at European level different products and systems for liquid waterproofing based on polyester, polyurethane or bituminous derivatives, with or without reinforcement meshes. The requirements vary according how much lifespan is expected from the product, the climate zone where it is placed, the degree of weather protection of the membrane, the slope of the roof and the amount of service load that must withstand.

Assessment of a roofing solution with an integrated solar thermal collection
These metal panels for sloping roofs feature a hydraulic circuit for assembling a solar thermal installation for hot water and heating. When facing their market entry it becomes clear that their dual function (as self-supporting roofing panels and as solar panels) complicates their certification. A specific protocol has been necessary to prove that they met all the requirements of the Spanish Building Code.

Prediction of aging degradation of the performance of a composite wood-based panel
A constructive solution for sloping roofs using wooden sandwich panels with different finish choices has been analysed regarding the HE1 energy requirements of the Spanish Building Code. Its thermal properties (resistance to heat transfer and vapour diffusion) have been tested with special attention on how they may evolve during the lifespan of the roof, using accelerated aging methods.

Assessment of a clay plank with built-in insulation
Procedure for assessing a product composed of two clay hollow planks that surround an insulating core. It is used in pitched roofs to build the slab above which the tiles will be placed. The list of requirements to meet is a result of its dual function (structural support and insulation) with emphasis on the hygrothermal issues.

Constructive solution for solar roofs
Study of a constructive solution for solar roofs, where the designers propose different combinations of metallic materials to meet the structural and finish requirements. Both structural and thermal performance has been assessed, including the potential condensation risks.

Effects of the wind on a flooring solution for flat roofs
Checks how the suction caused by wind affects a flooring product for flat roofs that combines tiles with an insulating base, which is placed without mortar or adhesive. Includes a calculation of the wind speed that would lift the tiles, based on the method described in Eurocode-1. Some alternatives that would increase the safety margin are suggested.

Use of hydrophobic polystyrene in protected membrane roofs
The hydrophobic polystyrene is a variation of EPS characterized by its low water absorption. This makes it an option for protected membrane flat roofs, provided that a number of technical and structural conditions are met. Different requirements have been defined for non-trafficable roofs and for pedestrian-trafficable roofs.