Conservation

Technology
DRAINAGE MEDIA SYSTEMS
Drainage Media Systems are green roof systems
underdrained with a layer of uniformly graded, lightweight,
inorganic media. A high-performance capillary mat below
the media captures and distributes excess water that plants
drains through the media, while a network of slotted plastic growing media
drainage conduit above the mat provides supplemental
drainage during heavy rainfall. During extended periods separation fabric
of dry weather, optional drip-irrigation lines placed directly drainage media
over the capillary mat can provide super-efficient, uniform drainage conduit
water delivery and encourage deep root growth. Although
drip tubing
granular media is heavier than other green roof drainage
materials, it provides an optimal environment for plant capillary mat
root growth for roofs with slopes less than 1:12. root barrier

SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

Typical Cross-Section

System Designation G1 G2 G3 G4
sedum perennials grasses
Typical Plants sedum herbs grasses shrubs
herbs perennials shrubs trees

Growing Media 2” extensive 4” extensive 6” semi-intensive 10” intensive

Separation Fabric 4 oz/yd 2
4 oz/yd 2
4 oz/yd 2
4 oz/yd2
Drainage Media 2” 2” 4” 4”
Capillary Mat 28 oz/yd2 28 oz/yd2 28 oz/yd2 28 oz/yd2
Root Barrier 30 mil 30 mil 30 mil 30 mil
Nominal Thickness 4” 6” 10” 14”
Saturated Weight 25 lbs/ft2 37 lbs/ft2 60 lbs/ft2 84 lbs/ft2
Annual Water Retention 50% 60% 70% 80%
Slope level to 1:12 level to 1:12 level to 1:12 level to 1:12

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DRAINAGE MEDIA SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Root Barrier is a 30 mil (0.75mm) thick LLDPE sheet that provides

exceptional resistance to root penetration, puncture, and tearing,
yet offers good flexibility for ease of installation. It is highly
resistant to environmental stresses on green roofs including air
pollution, summer heat, and winter cold, and does not contain any
recycled resins or plasticizers that can lead to premature aging or
plant toxicity. Standard sizes are 10, 15, and 20 ft wide by 50 ft
or 100 ft long. All sizes are folded so that the roll lengths are less
than six feet. Seams should be taped or welded.

Capillary Mat is a thick, 28 oz/yd2 (950 g/m2), non-woven geotextile

made from 100% polyester fiber. It is non-biodegradable, is highly
puncture resistant, has a water storage capacity of 0.1 gal/ft2 (4.2
l/m2), and spreads water in all directions including more than six
inches vertically. These properties make it ideal for protection,
water storage, and water distribution in green roof systems. Rolls
measure 6’ x 50’ (1.8m x 15.3m) and are electrically scanned for
metal debris. A 6” (15 cm) overlap is recommended).

Triangular Drainage Conduits are black recycled ABS plastic

drainage elements with continuous slotting on each side. They
are embedded in Granular Drainage Media to carry excess water
to roof drains or scuppers during periods of heavy rainfall. Each
element is 40” (1 m) long and 2” (5 cm) tall. The unique triangular
cross-section provides optimal surface area and prevents the
channel from floating upward during repeated wet/dry and freeze/
thaw cycling. Interlocking ends allow rotation, and tees are
available to create branched drainage systems.

Drain Boxes are sturdy plastic roof drain covers made of black
recycled ABS. Narrow slots on the sides and small holes on the
top permit water to flow freely but retain growing and drainage
medias. A wide base flange prevents flotation during repeated wet/
dry and freeze/thaw cycling, and a 12” hole in the base provides
unobstructed drain access. Triangular knockouts in each sidewall
panel accept Triangular Drainage Conduit.

Aluminum Edge securely retains green roof planting media at

roof edges and separates planting media from gravel, decks,
or pavers. Slots in the vertical face provide unrestricted water
drainage in the critical first inch off the roof while retaining
virtually all green roof planting media. Large holes in the base
permit penetration-free fastening to underlying waterproofing, root
barriers, or geotextiles. Wide bases resist rollover, and optional
diagonal braces are available to minimize bending under heavy
soil loading. Prefabricated internal and external fittings provide
strong, attractive corners. A unique connector also slides into the
folds of both the lineals and corners, locking into the vertical slots
to provide tight joints that allow thermal movement.

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Drip Irrigation Tubing is typically installed at the base of a granular
drainage system, either directly on the Capillary Mat or over the
Granular Drainage Media. Anti-siphon, pressure-compensating,
self-flushing emitters embedded in the tubing provide a controlled
application rate of only 100 gallons per 1000 squre feet per hour.
At this rate, the Capillary Mat captures all of the applied water
and distribute it uniformly across the roof. Bottom-irrigation
encourages deeper root growth than surface or sub-surface
irrigation and reduces evaporative losses.

Granular Drainage Media is a water-retaining, free-draining,

lightweight inorganic media that serves both as a drainage layer
and as a root-development zone. It is made from heat-expanded
shale, heat-expanded clay, or natural pumice selected for neutral
pH and low salt content. Particle sizes are uniformly and accurately
graded from 1/8” (3mm) to 1/2” (12mm) to minimize settling and
separation. Typical saturated compacted densities are 4 to 5 lb/
ft2 per inch of thickness (8 to 10 kg/m2 per cm of thickness), and
coverage is typically 300 ft2 one inch thick per cubic yard (16m2
one centimeter thick per cubic meter).

Separation Fabric SD is a 4 oz/yd2 (135 g/m2) porous, non-woven

geotextile made from a blend of polypropylene and polyester
fibers. Unlike common filter fabrics, it achieves mechanical
strength without heat treatment and retains an open, three-
dimensional surface structure that is highly resistant to clogging.
The internal pore size distribution is carefully controlled to retain
green roof planting media without restricting root penetration or
water drainage. Rolls measure 6’ x 100’ (1.8m x 30.5m and are
electrically scanned for metal debris.

Growing Media is a blend of inorganic and organic components

with a saturated, compacted density of 6 to 7 lb/ft2 per inch of
thickness (12-15 kg/m2 per cm of thickness). The inorganic
components are typically heat-expanded shale, heat-expanded
clay, or natural pumice selected for high water retention, neutral
pH, and low salt content. To minimize long-term settling and
separation, inorganic particle sizes are uniformly and accurately
graded from the several thousandths of an inch (fine sand) to
1/2” (12mm). A small amount of compost is blended with this
inorganic base, typically 6% to 12% by weight depending on the
plant palette. Coverage is typically 275 ft2 one-inch thick per cubic
yard (15m2 one centimeter thick per cubic meter).

Extensive Roof Fertilizer is an ultra-slow-release micro-fertilizer

specifically formulated to meet the nutritional requirement of
sedum on extensive green roofs. It should be applied twice yearly
beginning the second year, typically in April and July, at the rate of
2500 square feet per 10 lb pail.

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DRAINAGE MEDIA SYSTEM INSTALLATION

Lay root barrier and capillary mat:

If the primary roof waterproofing is
not root resistant, first apply Root
Barrier, either welding or overlapping
three feet with sealing tape in the
overlap. Then unroll Capillary Mat,
overlapping adjacent sheets at least
six inches. Cut openings in the root
barrier and protection mat for each
roof drain.

Install Aluminum Edge: Position

Aluminum Edge at least 18” from roof
edges. If there is a gravel perimeter,
the gravel and planting media will
exert even pressure so the retaining
edge does not need to be attached.
If there is no gravel perimeter, the
retaining edge should be taped
or welded to the waterproofing
membrane before the protection mat
is installed.

Install Drainage System: Position

Drain Boxes over roof drains, adding
sidewall elements as needed to match
the system thickness. Construct
drainage “trees” using triangular
drainage channels and tees so that
the “branches” positioned so that
every point on the roof is within two
channel lengths of the closest point
of the drainage tree.

Spread Granular Media: Uniformly

apply Granular Drainage Media to
the top of the drainage channels,
or approximately one cubic yard
per 150 square feet. For intensive
greenroofs, apply one cubic year per
75 square feet.

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Lay Separation Fabric: Unroll

Separation Fabric over the drainage
media, overlapping adjacent sheets
at least six inches. Cut the fabric to
length so that it wraps up the interior
of the retaining edge.

Spread Gravel Perimeter: Spread

well-washed gravel screened to 3/8”
minimum particle size. Be careful
not to displace retaining edges or to
create concentrated roof loads.

Spread Planting Media: Uniformly

apply growing media at the rate
of one cubic yard per 300 square
feet per inch thickness, taking care
not to displace retaining edges or
to create concentrated roof loads.
Place material at least 15% higher
than the desired grade and compact
using a four foot wide landscape
roller weighing 200 to 300 lbs when
filled. Add more media if necessary
to fill low spots.

Plant: Insert plugs two to three per

square foot in a random pattern,
broadcast cuttings at the rate of
60 to 100 pounds per 1000 square
feet, or place sedum mats. Water
thoroughly after installation and as
needed to prevent excessive drying
until the plants are fully established.
Broadcast Extensive Roof Fertilizer
twice yearly.

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