When long-time users of original RoofNav—FM Approvals' complimentary online roof assembly selection and project management tool—log in to the beta version of the improved system currently nearing completion, they are greeted by the welcoming message: "RoofNav Just Got Easier".
Those seeking to specify an FM Approved roof assembly are faced with seemingly unlimited options—over a million options in fact. However, while this abundance of options provides great flexibility it also has been a source of frustration for the uninitiated or non-expert users of the original RoofNav system.
"With original RoofNav, an inexperienced user could configure a roofing assembly that leads to a dead end, with zero search results," notes Adam Houser, FM Approvals business operations manager. "That aspect of the original system was a source of frustration and wasted time. The improved version of RoofNav features a completely rebuilt search engine and user interface that provides guided and intuitive searching and filtering capabilities."
Improved RoofNav
According to Houser, the new search engine—which is being refined based on feedback from test users—will closely link roof assembly components so that only allowable elements are shown with each search selection. "The goal is to specify a collection of roofing components—for instance, a single ply cover, insulation board, vapor barrier, steel deck and so on—that adds up to an FM Approved roof assembly every time."
The new RoofNav search engine uses advanced configuration modeling to identify all valid roofing attribute combinations, including manufacturer and product to prevent zero results and ensure the total combination adheres to one or more FM Approved roof assemblies.
"With the improved RoofNav, as you select each roofing element, other elements are automatically deselected or grayed out. This leads to only relevant, compatible components to choose from," notes Julius Tancinco, FM Approvals product owner for the RoofNav redesign project. "Let's say you select single ply roof membrane on a cementitious panel. It immediately starts deselecting options. It can only be a new roof and it can only be adhered and so forth. When you are done with your selections, you end up with an FM Approved roof assembly."
Excluding layers
The new version of RoofNav will also allow users to exclude certain roof layers from their search. For instance, a user may not want to use a thermal barrier. Improved RoofNav will allow you to conduct a search finding all assemblies that meet your criteria, and do not include a thermal barrier layer.
Sharing made easy
The new version of RoofNav will also allow sharing of searches and assemblies with anyone involved in the project. The link to RoofNav searches and assemblies can be emailed to team members for easy access. In the past, searches could only be shared by taking a screen shot of the search and pasting it into an email.
"These new sharing capabilities will save time and reduce errors in transcription that would sometimes occur when a recipient of a search screen-shot tried to reenter the search in their own system," Tancinco explains. He adds that the new version of RoofNav will also make searching for photovoltaic (PV) roof assemblies easier by allowing the addition of PV-related attributes as part of the assembly search criteria.
A contractor who is a long-time user of the original RoofNav system has tried the beta version of the new search engine and user interface—available for anyone to try, but should not be used for actual roof specifications—noted that "Showing only available products takes the guesswork out of trying to input the correct product name. This is one of the biggest advantages with the new system."
Beyond its improved search and sharing capabilities, improved RoofNav—like the original—will enable the user to print a Contractor Package that summarizes information for an FM Approved roof assembly with specific project selections and securement details. The Contractor Package provides an at-a-glance view of the roofing project that can be shared by designers, contractors, building owners, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to help reduce miscommunication and errors.
Introduced in 2005, RoofNav is used by more than 11,000 contractors, architects, consultants, designers, specifiers, and manufacturers in countries around the world. RoofNav allows roofing professionals to select the right assemblies to address property threats and protect facilities by putting at their fingertips all engineering and technical information on more than 9,200 FM Approved roofing products and almost 1.2 million FM Approved roofing assemblies. RoofNav also offers access to the 16 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets most used by the roofing industry.