Engineering peace of mind at every penetration

By Jesse Sanchez. 

RPH CEO Doug Wade explains how engineered penetration solutions can help protect today’s increasingly complex commercial buildings. 

Roof penetrations may not always receive the most attention during a commercial roofing project, but their performance can have significant consequences for the building below. On this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with RPH CEO Doug Wade about how the company is approaching roof and wall penetrations through engineering, testing and contractor education. 

Founded around 2013, RPH grew from an effort to develop a different solution for protecting penetrations through the building envelope. Today, the company continues to focus on critical infrastructure and new construction while exploring opportunities in retrofit applications. Looking ahead, Doug emphasized the importance of adapting alongside the buildings the industry serves, saying, “We have to evolve with it. And we have to be able to keep up with that because you can have the best technology in the world, but if your infrastructure can't support that technology and it's going to cause disruption to that technology that you're propagating, then it's really all for naught.” 

That evolution is increasingly important as roofs support more equipment and building systems. Data centers, hospitals, schools and other facilities can contain valuable technology and infrastructure that must remain protected from water intrusion. As those facilities become more complex, protecting penetrations becomes an important part of maintaining the building envelope. 

For RPH, that protection begins with engineering products for the conditions they will encounter. Doug explained that local requirements such as wind ratings and snow loads are considered during product development. Designs move through internal simulations and analysis before being sent for third-party testing. Stressing the importance of independent validation, Doug explained, “It would be erroneous of us to say our products meet a specification. If it hasn't been tested to that specification.” 

The company is also listening closely to architects and contractors as it develops solutions. Architects can provide insight into design challenges, while contractors offer firsthand knowledge about rooftop conditions, installation obstacles and labor considerations. Doug said making systems straightforward to install is critical because contractors must balance long-term performance with project economics. Describing the company’s approach to product development, Doug noted, “One of the things that we really have done well from the inception of the company and into present times is really listening to the voice of the customer, understanding their pain points.” 

RPH also offers training and access to sales and engineering professionals for contractors interested in learning more about its systems or discussing custom applications. From design considerations to installation, the company’s approach centers on developing solutions that address the needs of architects, contractors and building owners. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how engineering, testing and contractor input are shaping solutions for protecting roof and wall penetrations!