General Questions about the CRRC
About the CRRC
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1.) Is the CRRC government-affiliated?
No. The CRRC
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
that maintains a third-party, independent product rating program to measure the radiative properties of the surface layer of roofing products. Government entities or other interested parties may refer to the CRRC as a reliable, credible source of radiative property data. This information is disseminated to the public at no charge via the online Rated Products Directory.
2.) Is CRRC a “California” program?
No. While it is true that California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standard, Title 24, refers exclusively to CRRC’s Product Rating Program for cool roof credit, aside from the location of the CRRC headquarters office in Oakland, CA, CRRC is not a “California” program. Any other city or state code or program, mandatory or voluntary, may reference CRRC’s Product Rating Program.
3.) Does CRRC manufacture or sell roofing materials?
No. We strictly maintain a rating system for the radiative properties of roof surfaces. We do not make, endorse, or sell any specific roofing products. Please visit our Rated Product Directory for information on CRRC rated products.
4.) Are all of the roofing products on the CRRC Rated Products Directory “cool”?
No. CRRC does not set a definition for “cool". We leave this to the code bodies and programs that reference the CRRC. They set minimum performance requirements for roofs. The CRRC simply displays the accurately measured radiative property values on our Directory. A product’s placement on the CRRC Directory does not automatically guarantee that the product is “cool” as defined by any particular code body or program.
5.) I'm new to the CRRC. Where do I start?
That depends on what you are trying to do.
- If you are a roofing product manufacturer or seller who wants to rate a product, you must first become licensed with the CRRC (click here for more information).
- If you are looking to become a CRRC member, thereby allowing you the right to use the CRRC Member logo, please click here. Note: membership is distinct from the Product Rating Program.
- If you are a
homeowner or other building owner, operator or facilities manager, architect, specifier contractor or roof consultant
looking for specific product information, take a look at our online searchable Rated Product Directory. You are sure to find the roofing product that meets your needs.
You may contact the manfucturer directly to request product specification sheets; the contact name and number for each manufacturer can be found on our Directory.
Membership
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6.) What is the difference between a CRRC Member and a CRRC Licensee?
A CRRC Licensee can: rate products with the CRRC (which are listed on our Rated Product Directory), and has the right to use the CRRC Product Label to reflect lab-tested solar reflectance and thermal emittance values. For more information, click here.
A CRRC Member can: use the Member logo on marketing materials and help determine the direction of the CRRC’s programs and activities (e.g. voting on critical issues and the Board of Directors election, running for position on the Board of Directors, and attending the Annual Membership Meeting). If you are interested in a CRRC membership, please click here.
7.) If my company is a dealer of another company that is a CRRC Member, can I use the Member logo?
No. Member logos may only be used by the member company and its subsidiaries. You may only use the Member logo if your company is a member or If you are a direct subsidiary of a member company. Otherwise, please join the CRRC to use the logo.
Licensing
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8.) What is the difference between a Licensed Seller (LS) and an Other Manufacturer (OM)?
The Licensed Seller is the business entity that brings the roofing product to market. The Other Manufacturer provides a material or component to a Licensed Seller. More information can be found on our "Becoming a Licensee" page.
9.)
Company A produces and markets a roofing product which is manufactured from a coil of coated steel provided by Company B. Company B applies the coating to the coiled steel, but the coating is manufactured by Company C. In order to rate the roofing product, which company needs to become a CRRC Licensed Seller?
Company A must become a CRRC Licensed Seller, since they are the entity that is labeling the final product with their brand name and bringing it to market.
10.)
Company A manufactures a membrane that is required to be coated in the field by a product manufactured by Company B. Is it necessary for both Company A and Company B to become CRRC Licensed Sellers in order for the system to be CRRC rated?
No. The CRRC defines a roofing product as the “material designed, manufactured and constructed as the uppermost part of the roof assembly that is in direct contact with solar radiation.” Only Company B needs to become a CRRC Licensed Seller.
11.) Our company needs to be licensed as an OM and LS. Is there a discount for being both?
If your company decides to become both a Licensed Seller AND an Other Manufacturer, you only have to pay the higher of the two licensing fees (Fees & Dues Structure).
Logo and Label
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12.) I am a CRRC Licensee. Can I use the CRRC member logo on my product or product packaging?
No. First, the CRRC must clarify that the member logo is only for use by CRRC Members. If you are a CRRC Licensee, this does not enable you to use the logo (you must become a member to have this privilege). The member logo can only be used on company letterheads, correspondence, and promotional materials. Click here for an instructional document with more specific, detailed information on appropriate member logo use.
The CRRC Product Label may be used on product packaging and product specific marketing materials to denote CRRC ratings.
13.) I can't find the CRRC Product Label. Where is it?
If you are a Licensed Seller with products rated with the CRRC, please contact us to request the Label files. Once we have verified that your product is an active LS product, we will email you the files.
14.) How do I use the CRRC Product label?
Please see CRRC-1, Chapter 4.0 CRRC Label Use, or "How Do I Use the CRRC Product Label?". Please contact us directly if you need additional clarification.
15.) Can my company list multiple Product ID numbers on one CRRC Product Label?
If you are using the Multiple Product Extended Label, you can list up to four products on a label. However, you cannot extend the label to include more than four products. The Single CRRC Product Label is product-specific and can only list the CRRC Product ID number associated with the one rated product upon which it is placed. If needed, a manufacturer can print all of the applicable labels onto the wrapper and then clearly indicate which one applies to the specific product. Neither product label may be altered in any way nor may any non-CRRC label be used to label CRRC rated products.
Product Rating and Rated Products Directory
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16.) How often does CRRC update the Rated Product Directory?
The CRRC updates the Rated Product Directory once a week. As long as we receive the appropriate applications and fee, you can generally expect that your product will be listed by the next update.
17.) How long does it typically take for my product to be listed on the CRRC Product Directory?
Once we receive the necessary paperwork & fees, product processing is usually quick on our end (we usually process within 15 days of your company sending the package). To be certain that your product is rated as quickly as possible, please be sure to read the “How do I Get a Product Rating” document, as it provides detailed steps to guide you through the rating process.
18.) What do I do if I want to change the way my product is listed on the Directory?
If you want to change the way your product is listed on the Directory, we must receive this request in writing. You may either e-mail us at info@coolroofs.org or fax us the request: 510-482-4421. Once we receive your request in writing, we will update our database with the changes. These changes will be reflected on our website’s Rated Product Directory at the next update (updates occur once a week).
19.) Is there a different test my company needs to do in order to rate a product as both low & steep slope if it was originally listed as just a low-slope product?
No—we can change it. Products that are designed and rated for use on both low and steep slopes are exposed on the test farm at a low slope, so it is okay to go from low to low/steep. However, the opposite (going from steep to low/steep) is not possible, you would have to retest your product.
20.) Do you rate radiant heat barriers, or can you provide info about cool roofs combined with insulation?
No. The CRRC only looks at the surface properties of roofing materials.
21.) Do you accept ENERGY STAR test results for a product rating?
No. The CRRC is a third-party program that only accepts test results from Accredited Independent Testing Laboratories. ENERGY STAR’s program allows manufacturer-tested data, which does not coincide with the CRRC’s objective of providing independent, non-biased data. However, if your company plans to rate products with both rating programs, ENERGY STAR will accept CRRC test results.
22.) What are minimum requirements for SR and TE of products on the CRRC Product Directory?
The Cool Roof Rating Council does not set minimum requirements to rate products; any product may be rated with the CRRC regardless of the reflectance and emittance values, as long as it is tested in accordance with CRRC’s program manual (CRRC-1).
Energy codes and green building programs may set minimum requirements for the definition of a cool roof. Click here for more information on codes and programs.
Testing & ASTM Standards
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23.) What test methods does CRRC use?
The CRRC allows ASTM test methods C1549, E1918, and E903 and CRRC Test Method #1 to measure Solar Reflectance and ASTM C1371 to measure Thermal Emittance. To rate a product with the CRRC, these tests must be performed by an Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory.
More details are also included in the CRRC-1 Program Manual.
24.) What is the difference between rated values and tested values?
Tested values are radiative properties measured by an AITL or AMTL. Rated values are the radiative properties that are listed on the CRRC Product Directory and the CRRC Product Label. The rated values must be less than or equal to the tested values; in otherwords, it is acceptable to underreport but not overreport.
25.) When is the next Test Farm Placement date?
Test Farm Placement dates occur on the first day of every other month throughout the year, beginning with January 1..
26.) How often does the CRRC hold lab training workshops for Accredited Independent Testing Laboratories (AITLs) and Accredited Manufacturer Testing Laboratories (AMTLs)?
Lab training workshops are held periodically when there is enough interest to fill a class, generally once every one to two years. Please contact us if you are interested in participating in the next lab training.
27.) Can one of the CRRC Accredited Independent Testing Laboratories come out to test the solar reflectance and thermal emittance of a roofing product on site?
Please contact one of the AITLs on our website directly with your inquiry. If an AITL agrees, that does not mean that the test results can be listed on the CRRC Rated Product Directory. Should you choose to contact an AITL with a request like this, it is understood that this request is not part of the CRRC Product Rating Program.
28.) How do you ensure standardization of the Rating Program across all of your Accredited Independent Testing Laboratories (AITLs)?
Every year, the CRRC requires its AITLs to perform a mandatory Round Robin testing, where all the AITLs test the solar reflectance and thermal emittance of several products of different product types, to ensure that the equipment at each laboratory yields consistent results for the same product sample.
29.) What is the difference between an Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory (AITL) and an Accredited Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (AMTL)?
An Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory (AITL) is not affiliated with a roofing manufacturer. Solar reflectance and thermal emittance tests for standards products must be conducted by an AITL. An Accredited Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (AMTL) is a laboratory that is affiliated with a Licensed Seller or Other Manufacturer. AMTL test results may be used for Custom Color Products only. Click here for a list of labs.
Random Testing
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30.) How does the Random Testing Program work?
When a company becomes licensed with the CRRC as a Licensed Seller, that company agrees to participate in the CRRC’s Random Testing Program (OM products are not selected for random testing). Each year, a percentage of the products listed with the CRRC are selected at random for retesting. A sample is collected either from a distributor or contractor carrying the selected product or directly from the point of manufacturing, and is tested to verify that the rated values reflect what is being sold in the marketplace. The longer that a product has been listed on the Rated Product Directory, the more likely that product is to be chosen each subsequent year for random testing. If the measured values are more than 0.05 below the rated values, the product fails random testing and the Board of Directors will take corrective action. Click here for the official Random Testing procedure.
31.) How is an LS expected to comply with the Random Testing Program?
When an LS rates a product, that company must supply contact information for three distributors or contractors that carry the specific product. The LS must also send an informing letter to these three contacts notifying them that they may be contacted by the CRRC to provide product samples. For a modifiable letter template, click here to download one. In addition, the LS must fill out a sample collection form containing specific information about sample collection for that product.
If you have a question that has not been answered on this page, see CRRC-1 (the CRRC's Program Manual) or contact us: e-mail us at info@coolroofs.org or call us at (866) 465-2523 (toll free in the U.S.) or (510) 485-7175.
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