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Roofing Technical Center of Expertise

Louisville District

Published March 2, 2026

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Roofing Center of Expertise

Roofing Technical Center of Expertise

Ensuring Mission Readiness Through Roofing Excellence

A resilient, high-performance roofing system is critical to the operational readiness and long-term value of every military facility. Modern roof assemblies are complex systems requiring specialized expertise in building science, energy codes, and advanced materials.

In recognition of this complexity, Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-110-03 has mandated use of a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) in the review of all roofing designs across the enterprise for over a decade. The Roofing Technical Center of Expertise (RCX), hosted by the Louisville District, was established as the Army's premier resource to meet this critical requirement for in-house designs and solicitation packages. Our mission is to provide expert roofing consultation and certified review services, ensuring every project is not only compliant with the UFC but is also durable, sustainable, and provides the best value for the U.S. Military.

Core Services

The RCX provides expert roofing consultation and review services in the following core areas:

Full Design Reviews: Comprehensive technical review of roofing designs and specifications at concept, interim, and final design stages. Reviews ensure compliance with UFC 3-110-03, evaluate system durability and lifecycle performance, and verify constructability and quality assurance provisions.
Design-Build (DB) Solicitation Reviews: Review of DB solicitation packages to ensure roofing requirements are clear, comprehensive, and enforceable. The RCX evaluates performance specifications, evaluation criteria, and technical provisions to protect the government's interests and ensure successful project outcomes.
UFGS Support: Providing subject matter expertise for the development and maintenance of roofing-related Unified Facilities Guide Specifications. The RCX contributes technical content, reviews proposed changes, and ensures specifications reflect current best practices and industry standards.
Roofing Technical Consultation: Available as workload permits for emerging issues, lessons learned, forensic investigations, and technical guidance on complex roofing challenges.

Capabilities

To provide world-class design and specification reviews, the RCX maintains deep, state-of-the-art knowledge covering all aspects of roofing technology. Our expertise includes:

UFC 3-110-03 Roofing Requirements: Comprehensive understanding of mandatory design review requirements, system performance criteria, and compliance pathways for military facilities.
Industry Standards: Current knowledge of standards from organizations including the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), ASTM International, FM Global, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Low-Slope and Steep-Slope Roofing Systems: Expertise in built-up roofing (BUR), modified bitumen, single-ply membranes (TPO, PVC, EPDM), metal roofing, tile, and specialty systems.
Forensic Investigation Techniques & Failure Analysis: Diagnostic methods to identify root causes of roofing failures, evaluate existing conditions, and recommend corrective actions.
Construction Best Practices & Quality Assurance: Knowledge of proper installation techniques, inspection protocols, and quality control measures to ensure long-term system performance.

Requesting Services

The RCX operates on a fee-for-service basis, as mandated for all USACE Technical Centers of Expertise.

To initiate a request for support:

Contact the RCX: Email our central mailbox at DLL-CELRL-Roofing-TCX@usace.army.mil
Provide Project Information: Include project name, location, facility type, roof area, design stage, and scope of review needed.
Coordinate Scope and Funding: The RCX will work with you to define the scope of work, provide a cost estimate, and coordinate funding arrangements. Services are typically funded through Reimbursable Work Authorization (RWA) or Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (MIPR).
Review Timeline: The RCX will provide an estimated timeline based on current workload and project complexity. Early engagement in the design process is encouraged to maximize value and minimize schedule impacts.

Background & Authority

UFC 3-110-03 Requirements & Applicability

UFC 3-110-03, Roofing, establishes mandatory requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of roofing systems for Department of Defense facilities. The UFC requires that all roofing designs be reviewed by a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) or equivalent qualified professional.

Applicability Thresholds:
The UFC's mandatory review requirement applies to:

Facilities with a roof area of 15,000 square feet or greater, OR
Mission-critical facilities (regardless of roof area)

Alternative Compliance Path:
The UFC provides an alternative path for review, allowing a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to perform the review, provided they can certify that their "principal income is derived from the design of roofing systems."

This "principal income" clause is generally interpreted to mean that the individual must spend the majority of their professional time—more than 50%—exclusively on roofing design and consultation. For most generalist architects and engineers, meeting this stringent requirement can be challenging.

The RCX Solution:
The Roofing Technical Center of Expertise was established to provide a clear, unambiguous solution for all applicable projects. The RCX maintains dedicated roofing expertise and serves as the Army's designated resource for meeting UFC 3-110-03 review requirements.

Understanding the "Principal Income" Requirement

UFC 3-110-03 allows licensed Professional Engineers (PE) or Registered Architects (RA) to perform roofing design reviews as an alternative to using a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC), but only if they can certify that their "principal income is derived from the design of roofing systems."

What does "principal income" mean?
This requirement is generally interpreted to mean that the individual must spend more than 50% of their professional time exclusively on roofing design and consultation. This is a high bar that most generalist architects and engineers cannot meet.

Why is this requirement so strict?
Roofing systems are complex assemblies involving building science, moisture management, thermal performance, wind uplift resistance, and long-term durability. The "principal income" requirement ensures that reviewers possess the specialized, focused expertise necessary to identify potential issues and ensure system performance.

The RCX provides a clear solution:
Rather than attempting to identify and qualify individual PEs or RAs who meet this stringent requirement, project teams can engage the Roofing Technical Center of Expertise—a dedicated resource with proven roofing expertise serving the entire USACE enterprise.