Skyscape Maintenance Guide
User Manual:
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SkyScapeTM Vegetative Roof Systems
MAINTENANCE PLAN AND CHECKLISTS
INITIAL WATERING
During the establishment period immediately following installation, the following
watering guidelines are required:
Sedum Cuttings
»Twice daily for the rst two (2) weeks
»Once a day for the third week
»Once a week for the next four (4) weeks
Plugs – Twice a week for the rst six (6) weeks
Sedum Mats – Twice a week for rst six (6) weeks
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Watering (Irrigation) - It’s best to keep watering to a minimum, as dry soil
encourages tougher plants that can resist extremes. Focus your watering
efforts during the establishment period – generally the rst two months following
installation – and during the rst full summer growing season.
»Make sure to check for wilting or stress on a monthly basis, and water
immediately if these signs are evident.
»Irrigation may not be needed during periods of rain or milder temperatures.
»Be prepared to water during periods of extreme heat, but one or two irrigations
per year may be all that is needed.
»In warmer climates, more regular watering may be required.
In hot, dry weather, conditions can dry out soils and cause plants to go dormant;
or in extreme cases could cause plants to dry completely and die. Prolonged hot
dry weather is generally dened as one (1) month of 75oF/24oC or warmer weather
with less than one (1) inch of rainfall. If the plants appear wilted, especially if
this is seen in the morning, water the soil to a fully saturated point. Prolonged
temperatures above 75oF (24oC), garden roof systems installed on sloping
roofs and/or roofs exposed to persistent winds or reected sunlight may require
even more frequent care and watering. Appropriate watering also enhances the
evaporative cooling effect of the vegetative roof.
SKYSCAPETM VEGETATIVE ROOF SYSTEMS
MAINTENANCE PLAN & CHECKLIST
THE FIRESTONE
DIFFERENCE
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Please note: These instructions apply to Extensive Systems, Pregrown Modular Systems and some Semi-Intensive
Systems. Contact Firestone for additional requirements necessary for maintaining Semi-Intensive Systems with
multiple planting methods or native plants and for Intensive Systems.
Fertilizers - Between April 1-15, and annual soil test should be performed. If the
pH of the soil falls under 6.5, apply Osmocote Pro fertilizer with micronutrients (13-
10-13; 5-6 month release) at a rate of 3 lbs/1000sf to your vegetative roof. It may be
easiest to spread using a handheld broadcast spreader; divide the roof into 1000sf
sections, weigh out 3 lbs of fertilizer, and apply evenly across the section. Repeat
until entire vegetative area is fertilized. Do not fertilize during fall, as this may
stimulate soft growth and compromise the hardiness of the plant material.
Weed Control - Weed control is absolutely essential to the vitality of your
vegetative roof, yet is quickly and easily performed. Twice a month, simply inspect
the vegetative area, and carefully remove all weeds. Any spent owers should
also be trimmed off (“deadheaded”), either by hand, or with scissors or pruners.
Perennial weeds (clover) and woody plants can be especially invasive, and must be
fully removed, including all of their roots. It’s very important to remove any and all
weeds before they have opportunity to either ower or set seed.
Debris Removal - Organic debris can smother garden roof plants. Remove any
fallen or matted tree leaves, seeds, dead limbs, or any other organic debris on a
regular basis.
Drainage Inspection - Impaired drainage is a very serious condition. Roof drains
should be inspected at least every two weeks, and any debris (pebbles, sticks, leaves,
trash, etc.) should be removed from the drainage system, and all drain paths cleared.
Vegetative-Free Zones - Inspect the areas adjacent to the vegetative roof, as well
as any walkways, decorative stone areas, or other vegetative-free zones within
the vegetative roof, to ensure that vegetation has not migrated into these areas.
Remove any unwanted vegetation.
Irrigation System Inspection - Irrigation systems should be inspected regularly
to ensure that they are not leaking at any point in the system, and that the water is
owing properly from all areas.
Coverage Expectations - Plant coverage can vary greatly, depending on the
planting method, plants selected and many other variables in general. Expect
coverage rates to vary with the season and expect ongoing maintenance to boost
coverage. Sedum Cuttings will typically take two (2) - ve (5) years to cover the
planting area. Plugs will typically take two (2) - four (4) years, and pre-vegetated
Sedum Mats will typically cover the planting area fully within one (1) year.
2.
NOBODY COVERS YOU BETTERTM
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TWO
YEAR PLANT COVERAGE WARRANTY
Post-Installation Inspection - A Firestone
representative and the Building Owner or their
representative will perform a post-installation
inspection of the vegetative roof system. All punch
list items identied during this inspection must be
completed within 30 days of the inspection.
Initial and Ongoing Maintenance - Follow the maintenance instructions indicated
in this document and record all maintenance tasks that are performed on the
provided Checklist (pg. 7).
Year One and Year Two Inspections - At the end of each of the rst two years
following installation, the Building Owner or their representative should perform a
complete inspection of the vegetative roof system to identify any issues regarding
plant health, watering/irrigation, and overall progress on plant coverage goals.
Determining Plant Coverage - Coverage percentage is determined for each
1000 square foot grid area of roof surface. Overall coverage is based on a visual
inspection under these terms and is subject to Firestone review. The Building
Owner is responsible for all labor and labor costs necessary to maintain the garden
roof system during the Two Year Plant Coverage Warranty Rider period. Non-
covered areas must exceed minimum ½-square-foot to be counted against the
coverage percentage. Warranted coverage is:
»Plugs and Cuttings
End of Year One: less than 50%
End of Year Two: less than 80%
»Sedum Tiles
End of Year One: less than 75%
End of Year Two: less than 90%
Reporting - At the end of each of the rst two years following installation, submit
copies of the completed Maintenance Checklist (pg. 5, 7) and the corresponding
Year Report (pg. 4, 6) to Firestone, including six (6) photographs of the vegetative
roof from different perspectives showing evidence of plant growth progression
and any major maintenance problems. To ensure the continuance of warranty
coverage, these annual submittals must be submitted in their entirety to:
Firestone Building Products
Attn: Firestone Technical Services
200 4th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37201
3.
YEAR ONE REPORT (print this page)
Date Inspected:
General Comments:
Soil Testing
Date(s) Performed:
Comments:
Growing Media Replacement
Date(s) Performed:
Comments:
Fertilizer Application
Date(s) Performed:
Comments:
Estimated Plant
Coverage: %
Photographs - Attach six photos
of the vegetative roof from different
perspectives.
Checklists - Attach the
Maintenance Checklist showing the rst
year of maintenance.
YEAR ONE VERIFICATION
I hereby verify that inspections and maintenance have been performed in accordance with the
Firestone SkyScape Vegetative Roof Systems Maintenance Plan.
Building Name: Warranty #:
Name: Title:
Signature: Date:
SKYSCAPETM VEGETATIVE ROOF
SYSTEMS YEARLY REPORT
4.
Vegetative
Roof
Maintenance
General
Inspection
Drainage
Inspection
Irrigation
System
Inspection
Watering Debris
Removal
Free Zone
Inspection Weeding
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Building Name:
Address: City: State:
Warranty #: Project #:
Installation Completion Date:
12 MONTH / TWICE MONTHLY
MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
Print This Page
See the Maintenance Plan for Complete Instructions
5.
YEAR TWO REPORT (print this page)
Date Inspected:
General Comments:
Soil Testing
Date(s) Performed:
Comments:
Growing Media Replacement
Date(s) Performed:
Comments:
Fertilizer Application
Date(s) Performed:
Comments:
Estimated Plant
Coverage: %
Photographs - Attach six photos
of the vegetative roof from different
perspectives.
Checklists - Attach the
Maintenance Checklist showing the rst
year of maintenance.
YEAR TWO VERIFICATION
I hereby verify that inspections and maintenance have been performed in accordance with the
Firestone SkyScape Vegetative Roof Systems Maintenance Plan.
Building Name: Warranty #:
Name: Title:
Signature: Date:
SKYSCAPETM VEGETATIVE ROOF
SYSTEMS YEARLY REPORT
6.
Vegetative
Roof
Maintenance
General
Inspection
Drainage
Inspection
Irrigation
System
Inspection
Watering Debris
Removal
Free Zone
Inspection Weeding
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Building Name:
Address: City: State:
Warranty #: Project #:
Installation Completion Date:
12 MONTH / TWICE MONTHLY
MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
Print This Page
See the Maintenance Plan for Complete Instructions
7.
