Embodiments of the invention provide roofing boards and roofing systems having improved fire resistance properties and methods related to the same. According to one aspect, a roofing system is provided. The roofing system includes roofing panels positioned atop structural support members to form a roof deck. Roofing boards are positioned atop the roof deck and coupled thereto and a roofing membrane is positioned atop the roofing boards and coupled therewith. The roofing boards include a coating of a mineral based material applied to one or more surfaces in an amount between the range of about 0.10 lbs/ft.sup.2 and about 0.70 lbs/ft.sup.2. The mineral based material coating enables the roofing boards to pass the UL 790 class A tests, such as the burning brand test.

An example of conversion of solar energy into other forms of useful energy is taking heat from an area below a roof and using the heat to generate mechanical energy or electrical power. An air duct opening is placed in a hottest area under the roof. An air fan is placed in the air duct to draw the heated air from the area below the roof. A heat exchanger coil is placed inside the air duct. A return air duct is routed back to the area below the roof. The heat exchanger coil is coupled to a turbine through a closed loop line. A heat transfer medium pump, a first valve and a second valve are retained in the closed loop line. The first valve, second valve and pump are used regulate heat transfer medium into and out of the turbine. An electrical generator may be connected to the turbine.

An example of conversion of solar energy into other forms of useful energy is taking heat from an area below a roof and using the heat to generate mechanical energy or electrical power. An air duct opening is placed in a hottest area under the roof. An air fan is placed in the air duct to draw the heated air from the area below the roof. A heat exchanger coil is placed inside the air duct. A return air duct is routed back to the area below the roof. The heat exchanger coil is coupled to a turbine through a closed loop line. A heat transfer medium pump, a first valve and a second valve are retained in the closed loop line. The first valve, second valve and pump are used regulate heat transfer medium into and out of the turbine. An electrical generator may be connected to the turbine.

A sealed attic insulating and roof ventilating system includes a plenum formed in part by a barrier material attached to adjacent pairs of rafters and having a radiant or reflective upper surface and a corrugated lower surface to which an insulation material may be secured. This arrangement creates an uninterrupted air chamber or ventilation plenum between the barrier material, the adjacent rafters, and the roof decking through which exterior air can circulate unimpeded from the lower vents to the upper vents of the roof. The circulation through the ventilation plenum prevents moisture from accumulating or condensing under the roof decking and warping the roof decking, which ultimately leads to deterioration of the roof decking and failure of the roof covering, and eliminates ice damming on the top surface of the roof covering.

A sealed attic insulating and roof ventilating system includes a plenum formed in part by a barrier material attached to adjacent pairs of rafters and having a radiant or reflective upper surface and a corrugated lower surface to which an insulation material may be secured. This arrangement creates an uninterrupted air chamber or ventilation plenum between the barrier material, the adjacent rafters, and the roof decking through which exterior air can circulate unimpeded from the lower vents to the upper vents of the roof. The circulation through the ventilation plenum prevents moisture from accumulating or condensing under the roof decking and warping the roof decking, which ultimately leads to deterioration of the roof decking and failure of the roof covering, and eliminates ice damming on the top surface of the roof covering.

This invention refers to a structural system for floor and roof construction, based on a parallel arrangement of a set of composite pre-tensioned girders to provide support to a deck formed by layers of any given material. The composite girders are components formed by lengths of bamboo culms, steel components and fillings of mortar or other materials, arranged in such way that a maximum mechanical efficiency is obtained.

This invention refers to a structural system for floor and roof construction, based on a parallel arrangement of a set of composite pre-tensioned girders to provide support to a deck formed by layers of any given material. The composite girders are components formed by lengths of bamboo culms, steel components and fillings of mortar or other materials, arranged in such way that a maximum mechanical efficiency is obtained.

Gypsum panels, methods for their manufacture, and systems and methods for monitoring environmental conditions with such panels are provided herein. The panels include a gypsum core having a first surface and an opposed second surface, a first facer material associated with the first surface of the gypsum core, and an environmental sensor assembly associated with the gypsum panel and configured to detect an environmental condition of the gypsum panel and wirelessly communicate data on the environmental condition to a reader.

Gypsum panels, methods for their manufacture, and systems and methods for monitoring environmental conditions with such panels are provided herein. The panels include a gypsum core having a first surface and an opposed second surface, a first facer material associated with the first surface of the gypsum core, and an environmental sensor assembly associated with the gypsum panel and configured to detect an environmental condition of the gypsum panel and wirelessly communicate data on the environmental condition to a reader.

A strip anchoring system for emergency roof tarp installations, having at least one strip assembly, which has a top face having a top cut out and a top cut out face, and a bottom face having a bottom cut out, a bottom cut out face, and a retaining strip, wherein the at least one strip assembly secures a tarp on a roof. A plurality of strip assemblies may be assembled linearly and/or at ninety degrees.