GRHC Introduces New Certification Hands on Training Course For Green Roof Installers and Maintenance Professionals (GRIMP)

FeatureSpring 2023
Written By Steven Peck & Blaine Stand

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Green roofing is a complex practice involving a variety of professions and expertise to successfully implement, balancing factors such as building envelope integrity, plant health and viability, structural loading, and many other considerations. Often, installation training is lacking, either relying on narrowly scoped specific manufacturer training on proprietary systems, or in-field training which lacks the standardization and the best practices approach of more formalized training initiatives. This can lead to a lack of interoperability for installation professionals and contractors thereby limiting long-term job prospects or the institutionalization of sub-optimal installation practices which can lead to flaws and even failures.

Responding to this lack of formalized, independent hands-on installation and maintenance training around green roofing systems and a lack of qualified professionals, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) began the process of developing a new training opportunity to address those deficiencies in the form of the Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) certification program. Over the past two and a half years, GRHC and the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC), along with an interdisciplinary committee of expert volunteer industry stakeholders and green roof experts, collaborated on developing this brand new hands-on training program. The first pilot course was held at RCABC’s training facility in Langley, B.C. in May 2022.

The first class of students in the Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Pilot at the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia training facilities in Langley BC. Photo: Steven Peck

Incorporating feedback from the pilot, this new certification involves a combination of hands-on and presentation style training. It introduces attendees to the basic skills and knowledge required to install green roofs and maintain them. This training provides participants with a grounding in this information, covering a variety of green roof systems, to provide green roof installers and maintenance professionals with the information, techniques, and training necessary to successfully install and maintain basic extensive green roofs.

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Skills covered by this course include:

Dr. Karen Liu, Next Level Stormwater Management, one of the instructors of the first Pilot Course, demonstrates how to prepare to repair a leak. Photo: Steven Peck

  • Identify the installation requirements techniques of different green roof systems

  • Understand the best practices associated with green roof installation

  • Identify common problems associated with green roof installation

  • Identify the roles and responsibilities of professionals involved in green roof installation

  • Understand the potentially delicate nature of waterproofing that underlies green roofs

  • Understanding/identifying what an acceptable roof surface looks like; what should be a “red flag” that might stop the installer from moving ahead with installation

  • Understand common maintenance challenges and how to address them

  • Learn how to develop a maintenance plan and perform common maintenance procedures

  • Learn how to diagnose and fix problems on a green roof

  • Learn the scope of maintenance, and when the work needs to involve an installer

Upon completion of this training, participants should be able to successfully complete all the critical tasks associated with the installation and maintenance of green roof systems through a combination of instructor-led and hands-on training.

Registration for the GRIMP training program costs US $495 and includes unlimited access to 3 hours of online presentations covering foundational knowledge on green roof installation and maintenance as well as detailed case studies; a comprehensive digital Resource Manual to accompany the presentations; a full day of hands-on installation training with actual green roof material led by expert instructors and facilitators; one attempt at the online one hour multiple choice GRIMP exam; and one year of individual membership with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. 

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Upon successful completion of the online exam, certified GRIMPs will be required to complete at least 8 hours of continuing education per year and maintain an individual membership with GRHC in order to maintain this designation. Additionally, GRIMP certified individuals will have the opportunity to earn an additional “plus” designation after working for at least six months in the field as an installer and submitting a letter from their employer to that effect and an US $100 administrative fee.

Together, individuals learned how to install a green roof. Photo: Steven Peck

The first public training opportunity will be held in conjunction with Grey to Green Boston, on April 23rd, 2023 hosted by Recover Green Roofs at their 9 Olive Square facility in Somerville, MA. Grey to Green Boston will explore the most recent green infrastructure science, economic valuation, asset management, public policy, technologies, and best practices in design, installation and maintenance with the goal of helping inform the current policy debate by making the case for a rapid and significant increase in green infrastructure investment, a growing trend worldwide.

For additional details on the Grey to Green Conference or to register for the brand new GRIMP training, visit our website.

While it is impossible to teach all of the many details associated with green roof installation and maintenance, the new GRIMP program provides a solid grounding that will help contractors and the industry in general. 

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Steven Peck, GRP, is the Founder and President of GRHC. Blaine Stand, GRP, is the Professional Resources Manager at GRHC. 

The next GRIMP Training will be held in Toronto on June 12. Details to follow. 

Special thanks to our expert committee members who worked to develop the GRIMP.

  • Steven Peck, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (Staff)

  • Rohan Lilauwala, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (Staff)

  • Blaine Stand, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (Staff)

  • Jon Crumrine, Vaughn Environmental

  • Patrick Grenham, Recover Green Roofs

  • Elizabeth Hart-Morris, GreenUp Roofing

  • Chris Kann, Carlisle Construction Materials

  • James Klassen, Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia

  • Karen Liu, Next Level Stormwater Management

  • Christian Mahlstedt, Ginkgo Sustainability

  • Roxanne Miller, Soprema Canada

  • Walt Pinder, NATS Nursery

  • John Robinson, Sika Sarnafil

  • Daniel Roehr, University of British Columbia

  • Ron Schwenger, Architek

  • Randy Sharp, Landscape Architect

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