Structural insulating panel and flat roof structure employing same

Abstract

A structural insulating panel for use in a flat roof structure comprises upper and lower structural layers and an intermediate layer between the upper and lower structural layers. The intermediate layer is shaped such that the upper structural layer is sloped relative to a generally horizontal plane when the structural insulating panel is installed in a flat roof structure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates generally to building structure and in particular, to a structural insulating panel and flat roof structure employing the same.BACKGROUND [0002]Historically, flat or horizontal roofs on commercial and residential buildings have been common in warmer, drier climates where water accumulation as a result of precipitation is not a problem. More recently, flat roofs have become popular in cooler, wetter climates. Unlike sloped roofs, flat roofs have ineffective drainage characteristics making them prone to leakage problems. In wetter climates, to deal with this drainage issue, complex water proofing is typically required in flat roofs. In commercial buildings, drains are sometimes provided in the flat roofs to collect rainwater and melting snow and direct the water off of the roofs.[0003]For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,782 to Paquette et al. discloses a draining system for water which may collect between the upper and lower memb...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]According to another aspect there is provided a flat roof structure comprising a plurality of abutting structural insulating panels, each structural insulating panel spanning at least a pair of adjacent rafters of the flat roof structure and defining an upper decking surface on which roofing is applied, the structural insulating panels being configured such that the upper decking surface is non-horizontal thereby to promote drainage.

Problems solved by technology

Unlike sloped roofs, flat roofs have ineffective drainage characteristics making them prone to leakage problems.

In wetter climates, to deal with this drainage issue, complex water proofing is typically required in flat roofs.

Although such drainage structures are effective in removing water from flat roofs, they add significant complexity to the building structures and hence, increase costs making them unsuitable in many environments.

Images