SuDS in London - a guide

Design considerations
Living roofs can be retrofitted or designed
as an integral part of a new development.
The following aspects of design need to
be considered:
• Exceedance: design roof drainage
to cope with excessive rain
• Irrigation: rainwater should be
intercepted for irrigation, where possible
• Structural resilience: living roofs add
additional loading to a roof structure,
depending on the material used,
in the form of a dead load. This is
typically around 0.7 to 5.0 kN/m,
with imposed loads up to 10 kN/m
• Fire resistance: fire risks can be managed
through the use of appropriate materials
and design. Vegetation should be kept a
minimum distance away from vulnerable
areas such as openings and vents
• Substrate: varying depths of substrate,
together with dead wood and aggregates
within a single roof landscape, create
different microclimates and the
potential for habitat diversity. Soils
and growing media can be formed
of recycled material, which support
different potential for flora and fauna
• Vegetation: living roofs support a variety
of plants for amenity, biodiversity and
food growing. The species selection,
whether seeded, self-seeded, pre-grown
or planted, should be adapted to
microclimate and substrate specification
Living roof: Copenhagen
• Roof conditions are often hostile,
with high winds, extreme temperatures,
periodic rain and drought. Diverse dry
meadow mixes, that are naturally
self-sustaining in exposed environments,
can be used. Natural windblown or
bird-borne self-seeding is a viable
and economic alternative, naturally
adapted, rather than off-theshelf,
imported monocultures
• Access, safety and edge protection:
outlets and drains should be
easily accessible for inspection
Maintenance
Living roofs require periodic maintenance,
including for irrigation, inspection of
outlets and removal of invasive plants.
Frequency depends on the type of system.
Green walls formed by climbing plants
may need to be periodically attached
to supports. Proprietary products
require maintenance of plants and
irrigation systems and may require
occasional replanting.
Useful design guidance:
CIRIA C753 The SuDS Manual, Chapter 12
CIRIA C644 Building Greener BS 120563:
2000. Rainwater outlets gutters
BS EN 13252:2001
34 3 SuDS components