Changes

The green roof media used in Ontario can be classed according to proportion of composted biological material. Some existing installations use materials which comply with FLL guidelines, whilst others use a much higher proportion of [[compost]]<ref>Hill, J., Drake, J., and Sleep, B. (2016). “Comparisons of extensive green roof media in Southern Ontario.” Ecological Engineering, Elsevier B.V., 94, 418–426.</ref>.  

The [[green roofs|green roof]] media used in Ontario can be classed according to proportion of composted biological material. Some existing installations use materials which comply with FLL guidelines, whilst others use a much higher proportion of [[compost]]<ref>Hill, J., Drake, J., and Sleep, B. (2016). “Comparisons of extensive green roof media in Southern Ontario.” Ecological Engineering, Elsevier B.V., 94, 418–426.</ref>.  

ASTM International have a number of standards relating to various design considerations for green roofs. These standards provide good technical advice on the testing of systems and components.

ASTM International have a number of standards relating to various design considerations for green roofs. These standards provide good technical advice on the testing of systems and components.

Of particular note are:

Of particular note are:

*E2399 Standard Test Method for Maximum Media Density for Dead Load Analysis of Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems[https://www.astm.org/Standards/E2399.htm], and

*Standard Test Method for Maximum Media Density for Dead Load Analysis of Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems[https://www.astm.org/Standards/E2399.htm E2399], and

*E2396 Test Method for Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media [https://www.astm.org/Standards/E2396.htms].

*Test Method for Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media [https://www.astm.org/Standards/E2396.htms E2396].

When these tests are completed, the results should be interpreted in relation to the objectives of the green roof. A product complying with overseas guidelines may not serve the needs of a green roof installed in Ontario. In particular, the [http://www.fll.de/shop/english-publications/green-roofing-guideline-2008-file-download.html FLL guide] recommends green roof media specifications which may not provide optimal stormwater management or vegetation in our region.  

When these tests are completed, the results should be interpreted in relation to the objectives of the green roof. A product complying with overseas guidelines may not serve the needs of a green roof installed in Ontario. In particular, the [http://www.fll.de/shop/english-publications/green-roofing-guideline-2008-file-download.html FLL guide] recommends green roof media specifications which may not provide optimal stormwater management or vegetation in our region.  

In many proprietary systems the default option for planting medium will be a granular material with very low organic matter content. However, many companies can arrange for a high [[organic matter]] alternative to be substituted if requested.   

In many proprietary systems the default option for planting medium will be a granular material with very low organic matter content. However, many companies can arrange for a high [[organic matter]] alternative to be substituted if requested.   

{|class="wikitable"

{|class="wikitable"

|+ Considerations for using a 'high organic' planting medium

|+ Considerations for using a 'high organic', [[compost]] based planting medium

|-  

|-  

!Benefits

!Benefits

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|

*Increased water holding capacity, which benefits both vegetation health and stormwater retention  

*Increased water holding capacity, which benefits both vegetation health and stormwater retention  

*Often lighter weight, even when saturated

*Lighter weight, even when saturated

|

|

*Increased [[phosphorus]] concentration in runoff water, however this may be mitigated by the reduced runoff volume resulting in a lower loading overall  

*Increased [[phosphorus]] concentration in runoff water, however this may be mitigated by the reduced runoff volume resulting in a lower loading overall