Advanced Topics and Current Issues in Low-Slope Roofing

Welcome and Student Introductions

Wind Design

• Design wind loads
  • Code requirements
  • ASCE 7-22 (and earlier versions)
  • com
  • FM 1-28
    • RoofNav rating calculator
  • Wind resistance
    • Code requirements
    • Test methods
    • Safety factors

Moisture Control and Vapor- and Air-barrier Usage

• Moisture mechanics of materials
• Examples of designs gone wrong
• Designing to prevent moisture accumulations
• Hygrothermal simulations (WUFI software)

Sustainability in Roofing

• Definitions
• Standards and codes
• Green building trends (why)
• Roofing certifications and ratings
• EPDs and HPDs in the roofing industry
• Sustainable practices
• Resilient design

UL and FM

• Background of code-approved testing and certification agencies
• UL Solutions
• UL test methods
• UL’s Product iQ
• FM Global-insured buildings
• FM Global Loss Prevention Data Sheets
• FM Approvals’ testing
• FM Approvals’ RoofNav
• Manufacturers’ private-label arrangements

Edge Metal Testing (ES-1 and GT-1)

• Code requirements
• ANSI/SPRI/FM 4435/ES-1
• ANSI/SPRI GT-1
• FM 4435
• NRCA’s edge metal testing and certifications
• Certification directory listings

Roof Design for Non-conventional Rooftop Uses

• Basics of roof design
• Basic components
• Application of theory to the reality of non-conventional roofs
  • What
  • Benefits / Why
  • Cautions / Considerations
    • Inverted roof assembly
    • Vegetative roof
    • Rooftop occupancies
    • Roofs with helipads
    • Rooftop PV systems
    • Roofs on freezers

 Legal Considerations in Roofing

• Liability in roofing
• Indemnification clauses
• Additional insured and insurance
• Manufacturer-contractor applicator agreements
• Warranties and warranty limitations
• Potential liability after the warranty period
• Statutes of limitations and statutes of repose 

Lessons Learned

• Roof deck issues
  • Moisture in structural concrete roof decks
  • Moisture-related deterioration of plywood and OSB roof decks
• Insulation issues
  • Moisture content and equilibrium moisture content
  • Recycled cellulose facer sheets
  • Facer delamination
  • dimensional stability
  • Polystyrene in PVC membrane roof systems
  • XPS and standing water
  • R-value loss
  • Phenolic insulation
  • Insulation board joint stagger
• Fastener and adhesive issues
  • Low-rise foam
  • Water-based adhesives
  • Solvent-based adhesives
• Membrane issues
  • EPDM shrinkage/laps
  • PVC plasticizers
  • TPO stabilizers
  • Polymer-modified bitumen blending
  • Cold welds
• Owner’s expectations
• Wind design
• Maintenance
  • Inspections
  • Leak chasing
• Safety

Registration Date/Time:
3/24/2026 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 3/24/2026  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 3/25/2026  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time

• Program Director

  Mark Malkin

• Matthew Dupuis

  President - Structural Research Inc.

  Matt Dupuis is a licensed Professional Engineer with more than 15 years of experience. His area of specialization lies within moisture movement, temperature modeling, solar reflectivity, research and failure analysis. He has worked in the United States and internationally. His experience includes waterproofing and steep roof assemblies, as well as developing and teaching BIM courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Civil Engineering Department. He has contributed to numerous publications and articles, in addition to presenting topics on roof temperatures and hygrothermal modeling at various roofing symposia, as well as the International Roofing Expo, MRCA, SPRI, and RCI.

• Helene Pierce

  Helene pierce has spent over 40 years in the roofing industry and has been very active in many of the industry’s organizations.  She received the ASTM Award of Merit and title of Fellow from ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing, Waterproofing and Bituminous Materials, the James Q. McCawley award from the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association, and the title of Fellow of the Institute from the Roof Consultants Institute.  In 2019, Helene received the J.A. Piper award from the National Roofing Contractors Association, the industry’s highest recognition for service to the NRCA and the industry. She served on the Board of Directors for ASTM from 1999-2002 and then on ASTM’s Executive Board as Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee in 2003.

  Among the many groups in which she has been active are the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA); ASTM International; the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI); the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA); the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA); the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC); IIBEC Foundation Board of Directors; Single Ply Roofing Institute; Roofing Industry Educational Institute (RIEI); and the Cool Roofs Rating Council (CRRC).  Helene has also authored and presented numerous papers for the roofing industry and is a frequent contributor to industry publications. 

• Mark Graham

  Vice President, Tech Services - National Roofing Contractors Association

  Mark Graham is an experienced project engineer with expertise in the investigation, design, and repair of roof and waterproofing systems. With National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), he is responsible for developing and maintaining his association’s technical documents including the NRCA Roofing and Waterproofing Manual. Graham is also a contributing editor to Professional Roofing Magazine, as well as an active member of ASTM’s Roofing and Waterproofing, Thermal Insulation, Fire Standards, and Performance of Buildings Committees. Other memberships include ASHRAE, International Code Council and NFPA.

• C. Leanne Prybylski

  Partner with Hendrick Phillips Salzman & Siegel PC

  Leanne Prybylski focuses her practice as an Associate with Hendrick Philluips Salzman & Siegel PC in Atlanta GA in construction law and litigation. She represents contractors in a variety of construction-related matters, including disputes involving delays, nonpayment, mechanic’s liens, defective work, and other breach of contract and tort claims. In addition to handling construction-related disputes, her work includes preparing, reviewing and negotiating construction contracts on behalf of contractors and providing advice regarding claims avoidance.

  Prior to graduating from law school, Leanne gained extensive practical experience in the construction industry working for a local commercial construction company as a Contract Administrator and Human Resources Manager. She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from Kennesaw State University and law degree from Georgia State University College of Law, cum laude. While in law school, Ms. Prybylski interned for Justice P. Harris Hines at the Supreme Court of Georgia.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.