Aug 30 2005
The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) has named BASF as an Accredited Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (AMTL).
This designation means that BASF is accredited to test and certify the radiative properties of custom-colored roofing products. BASF’s AMTL status represents an important benefit for its customers that supply metal roofing products because BASF can quickly provide certified radiative properties (solar reflectance and thermal emittance) for “custom colors.”
Customers may then use these values to register their products with the CRRC--without the need for separate certification by an Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory (AITL).
“In light of California’s new Title 24 Building Energy Code, our designation as an AMTL is particularly advantageous for fabricators that sell roofing products in California,” said Tom McKay, Product/Marketing Manager of BASF’s Industrial Coatings Solutions business in North America.”
By using BASF’s test results to register their custom color products with the CRRC, fabricators avoid the costs and delays of additional certification and of preparing and testing panels themselves. This helps them be more responsive to the market while meeting the requirements of Title 24.”
As an AMTL, BASF is contractually bound to maintain rigid quality-control standards, to follow strict testing procedures, to document testing records, and to retain samples of all materials tested. Compliance is ensured by periodic unscheduled CRRC audits of BASF’s laboratories, processes and test samples.
“Our ability to meet the strict requirements of the AMTL program helps assure our customers of our commitment to quality and leadership in cool roof technology,” said McKay, who cited BASF’s pioneering role in developing and introducing cool roof coatings in the construction market.
“We began research on cool coatings in 2001 at our Colton, California research laboratory, working with pigment suppliers, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. BASF helped develop the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® reflectivity standards for cool coatings, and we introduced ULTRA-Cool® PVDF, the industry’s first cool-roof coating, at the 2001 Metalcon show.”
“Since then we’ve introduced a siliconized polyester version, called Superl® SP II™ ULTRA-Coolâ,” continued McKay, “and we’ve remained an industry leader in sustainable technology. Now, as an AMTL, we can serve the market even more effectively, not only by simplifying the registration of custom colors with the CRRC, but by making it easier for our customers to match new colors using ULTRA-Cool technology.”
According to McKay, BASF entered into an agreement with the CRRC in 2005 to become a “Licensed Other Manufacturer,” a requirement for becoming an AMTL and for registering BASF’s ULTRA-Cool technologies with the CRRC.
“We’re very proud to have earned this distinction, which is an important step in helping our customers be more successful and helping the environment at the same time,” said McKay.