FutureCast: Protecting Modern-day Roofs

From community spaces to revenue generators, how SMT's electronic leak detection system can keep your roof and assets safe.

By SMT Research

Roofs in the modern age do more than simply protect your building and assets below it. We’re seeing new buildings pop up everywhere that have their roofs serve more than one purpose, like city parks sitting on top of the roof of retail space, solar panels being installed to power the entire block, and pools being installed on top of luxury hotels.

Roofs serve as spaces for community building, reconnecting with nature, and sometimes, pose as an opportunity to generate revenue. One example is NYC’s Javits Convention Center new expansion, which included installing a rooftop farm and orchard, which will supply produce to the convention center’s kitchens. Another example is the Oakridge Redevelopment in Vancouver, which has extensive park space overtop of retail stores that is large enough to double as a concert venue and can accommodate vendors for a future market.

Since roofs have even more value now than ever before, it's that much more important to protect them and these assets. If any of the previously mentioned roofs started leaking, they would be extremely costly to replace and would negatively affect the community that relies on those other added benefits. SMT wants to stop leaks from damaging the building, and we achieve this by monitoring the roof for moisture and leaks. We want to make sure we know about moisture changes in the assembly before they become an active leak, and an active problem.

FutureCast is SMT's leading electronic leak detection system, a network of sensors that are permanently installed in a roof assembly, which throughout the lifetime of the building will look for changes in moisture and defects in the membrane that will cause a leak. FutureCast can be passive or active monitoring.

When FutureCast is actively monitoring, electronics are installed to track moisture and leak locations continuously around the clock. An active system will take moisture readings on custom intervals and send the data to a cloud server that can be viewed at any time, giving the owner a detailed baseline of what is normal for their roof. If a leak event occurs, or if there is a change in moisture levels outside of the baseline, a notification will be sent to the building owner’s email as soon as possible. Having FutureCast actively monitoring greatly benefits high value structures that cannot afford any downtime for repairs, like a national data center that houses crucial infrastructure. Active monitoring is also useful for if there is extreme risk involved with water damaging high value assets below the roof, like water dripping down into an operating room.

To suit every client’s needs, FutureCast can also passively monitor a roof. When FutureCast is passively monitoring, sensors are installed and remain dormant until a FutureCast Technician visits the site with electronics on a predetermined schedule to take readings. After an adequate amount of readings have been taken, the SMT Technician will compile a roof health report to be given to the building owner or manager. Passive monitoring greatly benefits clients who wish to preplan maintenance or wish to satisfy warranty requirements.

Modern-day roofs are much more than just a protective layer for buildings and assets. They have become spaces for community building, generating revenue, and connecting with nature. By using FutureCast, building owners can be assured that their roof is being monitored and any issues can be detected and addressed before they cause any harm to the building or community. Reach out to SMT today, so we can protect your building for years to come!