NRCA EPDM study plan

Map the full EPDM roof assembly from deck through membrane, listing each component and its function in your own notes

Define the performance properties of EPDM (elastomeric thermoset, ozone and UV resistance, low-temperature flexibility, elongation, service temperature range) and state why each matters on a roof

Identify the common EPDM membrane thicknesses, sheet widths, and reinforced versus non-reinforced product types and where each is used

Explain how EPDM's thermoset chemistry differs from thermoplastic single-ply membranes and what that means for seaming and repair

Compare ballasted, mechanically attached, and adhered attachment methods, listing load path, substrate requirements, and typical use cases for each

Describe the role of insulation, cover boards, and vapor retarders in the assembly and how they interact with the attachment method

Sequence the installation steps for a mechanically attached EPDM roof from substrate prep to final inspection

Explain fastening density, seam plate placement, and membrane relaxation requirements and the failures caused by getting them wrong

Detail the splice and seam process: surface cleaning, primer application, tape or adhesive selection, roller pressure, and cure time

Distinguish splice adhesive, pressure-sensitive tape, and coverstrip methods and state where each is appropriate

List the field conditions (temperature, moisture, cleanliness) that degrade seam quality and describe how to test for them before starting

Describe destructive and non-destructive seam testing and the acceptance criteria for a completed seam

Identify flashing requirements for walls, curbs, drains, scuppers, penetrations, and inside/outside corners

Explain termination methods including batten bars, termination bars, counterflashing, and reglet and when each applies

Describe perimeter edge metal, drip edge, and how membrane is secured and terminated at roof edges

Diagnose five common flashing defects from written descriptions and state the correct repair approach for each

Explain roof drainage design fundamentals: slope, tapered insulation, crickets, saddles, and ponding prevention

Describe drain, scupper, and overflow installation details and the membrane-to-drain clamping sequence

Outline walkway pad, paver, and protection requirements in high-traffic and maintenance areas

Summarize the effect of ponding water and poor drainage on membrane performance and warranty coverage

List the inspection hold points in an EPDM installation and what must be verified at each one

Describe common failure modes (seam separation, punctures, shrinkage, blistering, flashing pull-out) and their root causes

Explain repair methods for each failure mode, including patch sizing, seam preparation, and adhesive selection

State the safety and jobsite requirements relevant to EPDM work, including adhesive handling, ventilation, and hot work avoidance

Review manufacturer installation specifications and warranty terms and note the requirements most often violated on site

Explain how substrate moisture, deck type, and climate affect membrane selection and installation scheduling

Work through five scenario problems that combine attachment, flashing, and drainage decisions into one correct assembly

Rehearse explaining an installation sequence aloud in under five minutes without notes

Re-take all prior self-tests and score at least 85 percent on each

Review every missed item from weeks 1 through 7 and write a corrected one-sentence rule for each

Complete two full-length timed practice sets under exam conditions

Consolidate the highest-risk topics into a single one-page review sheet