Colorado Springs, Colo. -- From a bird's eye view the roof of the 21st Space Wing headquarters building grows in a multitude of colorful shades. Sedum plants populating the roof are part of a GreenGrid roof case study, which has drawn Department of Defense-wide interest.
"Plant coverage acts as an insulator. We should be at 100 percent coverage by next summer," said Phil Chase, 21st Civil Engineering Squadron, Asset Management Flight, pollution prevention, solid waste and hazardous materials program manager. "You think you are on an Air Force Base, but you are at a plant nursery on a roof."
"Plant coverage acts as an insulator. We should be at 100 percent coverage by next summer," said Phil Chase, 21st Civil Engineering Squadron, Asset Management Flight, pollution prevention, solid waste and hazardous materials program manager. "You think you are on an Air Force Base, but you are at a plant nursery on a roof."
Chase and others are charged with managing the progress of rooftop. In the picture above Chase monitors the sedum plants on the rooftop.
Energy reduction inside the building is estimated at 7 percent, according to a 2009 Comprehensive Green Roof Study draft report. The report was created by Tetra Tech Engineering and Architecture Services, and the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency. The report indicates approximately 169 percent savings in a return on investment to include roof replacement and energy savings throughout a 40-year period.
"The study is a one-year period, which is not long enough to assess the actual life cycle of the roof and its advantages," said Randy Hawke, facilities excellence architect for the 21st Space Wing.
The green roof is also reducing storm water runoff, improving air quality, and extending the life of the roof. The plants thrive mainly in rocks, so the roof appears as a flowery desert environment with no insects. Although sedum was selected for its drought tolerance, the plants are watered through a drip system that is turned on by a meter when it detects prolonged dry periods.
The general life cycle of such an analysis project is five years, and another study is being pursued for a more accurate assessment of results. By summer 2010 the plants should become self-sustaining. Although used mainly in Europe, green roofs are gaining worldwide attention.
Energy reduction inside the building is estimated at 7 percent, according to a 2009 Comprehensive Green Roof Study draft report. The report was created by Tetra Tech Engineering and Architecture Services, and the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency. The report indicates approximately 169 percent savings in a return on investment to include roof replacement and energy savings throughout a 40-year period.
"The study is a one-year period, which is not long enough to assess the actual life cycle of the roof and its advantages," said Randy Hawke, facilities excellence architect for the 21st Space Wing.
The green roof is also reducing storm water runoff, improving air quality, and extending the life of the roof. The plants thrive mainly in rocks, so the roof appears as a flowery desert environment with no insects. Although sedum was selected for its drought tolerance, the plants are watered through a drip system that is turned on by a meter when it detects prolonged dry periods.
The general life cycle of such an analysis project is five years, and another study is being pursued for a more accurate assessment of results. By summer 2010 the plants should become self-sustaining. Although used mainly in Europe, green roofs are gaining worldwide attention.
Officials in Toronto, Canada are considering regulations that may require all buildings to have green roofs. Several Air Force bases such as the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are also considering installing green roofs.
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