May 2017
FireNuggets, Inc
impermeable surfaces, such as roadways,
sidewalks and parking areas. Today,
managing rainwater on roofs will assist in
resolving the stormwater runoff dilemma. In
New York City, for example, rooftops
comprise nearly one-third of its’ total
impervious surface area. Rainwater,
pavement/roof runoff as well as sanitary and
industrial wastewater are all collected in the
same sewer (combined sewer system) and
then transported together to a treatment
plant. On days without rain/snow, these
combined sewers effortlessly handle the
amount of sewage flowing through them.
Conversely, however, days with heavy rain
easily overwhelm combined systems causing
raw and untreated overflow resulting in
contamination of waterways. Rainfall of less
than one-half inch can overload a combined
sewer system and result in untreated releases.
Deep slope off blue roof directs water to drains
located below.
The use of a blue roof helps to alleviate this
problem. The blue roof is a non-vegetated,
sustainable system designed to temporarily
store rainfall in order to control and
regulate the drainage of water from a roof.
Additional benefits to installing a blue roof
include: the reduction of a building’s
cooling costs, recreational use, fountains
and landscaping.
Active and Passive Classifications
Controller device monitoring water drainage on a blue
roof.
By Firefighters, For Firefighters
Blue roofs are ideal installations for
moderate and extensive flat configured
roofs in residential, commercial,
educational, institutional or industrial type
occupancies. Built with slopes, wide
gutters, and sturdy watertight liners; blue
roofs are classified as either "active" or
"passive" depending on the types of
control devices used to regulate drainage
of water.
Active design utilizes valves and a
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