Architect Claims Go Through the Roof

by Tom Owens

For architects, designing a watertight roof is a key step to keeping a lid on professional liability claims. That’s the conclusion of a study of architect claims conducted by XL Design Professionals.

According to XL Design Professional’s "Focus On Claims" study of more than 3,700 architectural closed claims between 1989 and 1995, roofs were the single element most often involved in architects’ claims. Ten percent of the closed claims involved roof problems, followed by walls (9%), HVAC (7%) and floors (6%).

A closer look at the roofing claims revealed where problems tend to rise:

Roof venting, flashing and gutters were cited as problems in 50% of the roofing claims studied. In 90% of these types of claims, installation, not design detailing, was the major culprit.

Inadequate field observation was mentioned in 48% of the roofing claims. Problems included the absence of any observation, inadequate performance of construction observation required by contract, and approval of inappropriate design changes during construction.

Construction problems were also mentioned in 48% of the roofing claims. This vividly illustrates the importance of a high-quality roofing contractor in preventing claims against architects.

Material degradation was listed in 24% of the claims. The use of new, unproven materials and technology was shown to be a significant risk factor.
Design error was mentioned in 21% of roofing claims against architects. Half of these design-error claims were due to a consultant’s error and one-third the result of inadequate documentation or abbreviated design contracts.

Field changes were a cause in 17% of architects’ roofing claims. These changes were typically made by the contractor or a consultant without the knowledge of the architect.

Clearly, problems with design and installation of roof systems are often the result of failed communications, marginal design management, incomplete construction documents and substandard workmanship. Consider the following advice for reducing the chances of your next claim coming through the roof:

Be careful with new products and technologies. Innovative building materials often provide new solutions to the quality, budget and schedule demands of today’s faster-better-cheaper marketplace. However, any new product or technology needs to be examined with a very critical eye before recommending it to an owner. Get references from fellow designers who have used the new methods, and ask the manufacturer for test results and/or performance guarantees.

Coordinate the design. Successful roofing designs, like any building component, require a thorough coordination of all the design disciplines involved in the project. Design must take into consideration structural deflections, the size and location of rooftop equipment and all roof penetrations.

Pay attention to details. Designing roof details, such as vents, flashings and gutters, should be left to experienced professionals. Don’t scrimp here by putting it in the hands of an inexperienced junior working from standard details.

Conduct a pre-roofing conference. A conference held well in advance of the start of roofing operations is the best opportunity to coordinate design and construction. Review design, shop drawings, submittals and manufacturer’s technical materials. If possible include the general contractor, the roofing contractor, the roofing manufacturer, the owner’s maintenance foreman and all involved subcontractors and subconsultants. Take advantage of everyone’s expertise in designing and installing a watertight lid.

Assure field quality. The pre-roofing conference is an excellent time to clarify the installation documentation required by the construction team and to establish a field observation plan. Review technical specifications in detail to ensure that the critical stages of roof installation are properly observed.