A batten for use in roofing applications is defined by an upside-down U-shaped channel with outwardly projecting horizontal flanges. In certain versions, the legs forming the sides of the channel are asymmetrical to allow vertical orientation of at least one of the legs when installed on an angled roof. This improves strength and load bearing of the installed member, and allows it to provide a fall barrier for roof installers. In certain versions, one of the flanges has a ribbed impact reduction zone. This zone deforms when a building anchor, such as a nail, passes through it to anchor the member to a roof. The deformation prevents anchors fired from conventional equipment from passing completely through the member and holds the anchors more securely in place.

Compositions comprising highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials are provided. In some instances, the highly reflective materials are microcrystalline or amorphous carbonate materials, which may include calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. In some instances, the materials are CO.sub.2 sequestering materials. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., to increase the albedo of a surface, to mitigate urban heat island effects, etc.

A method of covering a roof deck involves adhering a preformed, self adhering single ply roofing membrane which includes a water impermeable membrane, a pressure sensitive, hot melt adhesive adhered to one side of the water impermeable membrane, and a release liner on the side of the pressure sensitive, hot melt adhesive opposite of the water impermeable membrane.

A method of covering a roof deck involves adhering a preformed, self adhering single ply roofing membrane which includes a water impermeable membrane, a pressure sensitive, hot melt adhesive adhered to one side of the water impermeable membrane, and a release liner on the side of the pressure sensitive, hot melt adhesive opposite of the water impermeable membrane.

Disclosed in the present invention is a structure for blocking heat transfer through a thermal bridge of a curtain wall building, including a curtain wall, an indoor metal frame, an outdoor metal frame and/or metal components, wherein: an integral thermal break strip, which is installed close to an outside and made of an aerogel thermal insulation blanket, is fixed between the indoor metal frame and the curtain wall and/or the outdoor metal frame and/or the metal components. The present invention has simple structure, convenient construction technology, great structural strength, excellent fireproof performance; low comprehensive construction cost and substantially improved energy-saving effect of the curtain wall.

A roof system includes a roof deck and a plurality of roof rafters supporting the roof deck. A thermal break is located between the deck and a first rafter of the plurality of rafters. The thermal break includes a break inner member contacting a first rafter exterior surface of the first rafter and a break outer member contacting a deck inner surface of the roof deck. The break inner member and the break outer member bound a thermal air break therebetween.

This invention provides fall protection systems, in metal building construction, and methods of installing such systems. A given such system comprises a suspension fabric, supported by a grid-work of longitudinal and lateral support bands. The distance of the safety band from the rafter corresponds to about 40 percent to about 75 percent of the diameter of the bag. Thus for a 30-inch diameter bag, the distance between the edge of the rafter and the middle of the safety band is about 12 inches to about 23 inches. The safety band protects the suspension fabric from being cut by the near edge of the rafter when a falling object impacts the fall protection system near the edge of the rafter.

Thermally insulating fabric comprising a textile fabric layer which comprises fumed silica powder of average pore size 50 to 200 nm in an amount range of 1 to 70% w.

Thermally insulating fabric comprising a textile fabric layer which comprises fumed silica powder of average pore size 50 to 200 nm in an amount range of 1 to 70% w.

A device (2) for thermally insulating a building wall (1) from the outside, being applicable in particular to walls and roofs, includes, starting from the wall, a layer (3) of impermeable rigid insulation, spacers (4) and a perforated rigid facing sheet (6) at a distance from the layer (3) of rigid insulation so as to form an air gap (7) between the facing sheet and the layer (3) of rigid insulation. A layer (8) of granular insulation (9) in divided form is contained in synthetic textile bags (10) placed in the air gap (7). A method for implementing such a device is also described.