SS-05 Heat Island Effect

Credit Requirements Keystone Points Allocated

Requirement #1 No 1
Requirement #2 No 1

Aim
To improve the microclimate of newly developed areas through appropriate material selection.

Requirements
# Requirement Points Available
The three-year aged Solar Reflective Index (SRI) values of the hardscape,
shade structures and roofs meet the following:
1  Hardscape: 90% of the hardscape covering has an SRI ≥ 45. 1
 Shade structures: 100% of the shade structures have an SRI ≥ 75.
 Roofs: 100% of the roof covering has an SRI ≥ 75.
The unused roof area and/or structures used for shading have a vegetative
2 1
covering over a minimum of 70% of their surface area.
Total 2

Credit Applicability Conditions

Offices/
Educational Retail/
Commercial/ Warehouses Hospitality Mosques Healthcare
Institutions Restaurants
Government

Shell Only - - - - - - -
Core & Shell 2 2 2 2 2 - 2
Fit-Out - - - - - - -
Full-Scope 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Design Stage Evidence

# Evidence per Requirement
 Drawings illustrating all the areas of compliant and non-compliant hardscape, shade
structures and roofs.
1
 Calculations in tabular format showing that the requirements are met.
 Extracts from specifications indicating the required SRI values.
 Drawings illustrating the areas of roof and shade structures that will have a vegetative
2
covering and the associated irrigation system.

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  Calculations in tabular format showing that the requirements are met.
 List of selected plant types and their water requirements.

Construction Stage Evidence

# Evidence per Requirement

 As-built drawings illustrating all the areas of compliant and non-compliant hardscape,
shade structures and roofs.
1  Calculations in tabular format showing that the requirements are met.
 Purchase orders and product data sheets showing the SRIs for the materials used.
 Date-stamped photographs of the installed hardscape, shade structures and roofs.
 As-built drawings illustrating the areas of roof and shade structures that have a vegetative
covering and the associated irrigation system.
2
 Calculations in tabular format showing that the requirements are met.
 Date-stamped photographs of the installed vegetative covering.

Supporting Guidance
a) Manufacturers’ data sheets must confirm that the SRI values of materials have been determined
using ASTM E1980 at an authorized testing facility independent of the manufacturer.
b) Hardscape areas include paths, walkways, parking, play and amenity areas.
 Areas of pervious, permeable or concrete (without added color) hardscape
automatically comply with the credit requirement.
 Parking areas that are shaded (where the shading meets the required SRI values) also
comply with the credit requirement.
c) The areas of the roof used for services, access and/or renewable energy sources are excluded
from the requirements and calculations.

Solar Reflective Index (SRI):

a) The SRI of a material demonstrates the material’s ability to stay cool in the sun as it absorbs less
heat and reflects more sunlight. The higher the SRI, the better the material is at staying cool in
the sun.
b) The three year-aged SRI is typically lower than the initial SRI as it accounts for weathering and
soiling which reduces the material’s ability to stay cool in the sun. As much of the weathering
and soiling occurs within the first three years, the aged value is a more accurate measure of the
material’s ability to stay cool in the sun.
c) The three year-aged SRI is found in the Product Data Sheet that can be obtained from the
manufacturer. If this information is not available, the material can be tested at an independent
laboratory in accordance with the requirements of ASTM E1980.

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 Table SS-05.1 Sample of a section of product data sheet for roofing tiles

Material type Initial SRI Three year-aged SRI

Roofing Tile- White 93 87
Roofing Tile- Yellow 73 65

Based on the above table, the white roofing tile would contribute towards this credit. However, the
yellow roofing would not.

Vegetative Roof Covering:

a) Plant species should be native where possible and must be drought tolerant. Refer to credit SS-
04 Ecological Enhancement for guidance.
b) The selected plant species must be capable of being sustained throughout the year by providing
adequate irrigation and a safe means of access to the roof structure for maintenance including
the transportation of plant-care equipment.
c) The plantation of vegetation must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
for the roof covering in addition to the Saudi Fire Protection Code 801.

Credit Tool
N/A

Reference Documents
1. Saudi Building Code (SBC) 201 Architectural, Section 6 Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures.
2. Saudi Building Code (SBC) 801 Fire Protection Requirements, Section 5C.4 Access to Building
Openings and Roofs.
3. Saudi Building Code (SBC) 1001 Green Buildings, Section 408.3 Roof Surfaces.
4. ASTM E1980 – 11 Standard Practice for Calculating Solar Reflective Index of Horizontal and Low-
Sloped Opaque Surfaces.

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