Rogaland County Municipality Leads in Climate Adaptation with new Technology

Jåttå Upper Secondary School Leads the Way with Advanced Sensor Technology for Building Maintenance.

Rising Challenges with Moisture Damage

Since 2010, seven of the ten worst years for water damage in Norwegian history have occurred. With an average of 300 water damage incidents daily, the insurance industry has never paid out as much for moisture-related claims as it does today.

"We've spent substantial sums searching for water damage and repairing the destruction caused by leaks," says Arnt Inge Haug, operations manager at Jåttå Upper Secondary School. The building, with a roof spanning over 10,000 m², has suffered from leaks since its inception. Over the next three years, the entire roof of the large school will be replaced.

This situation prompted Rogaland County Municipality to adopt a proactive approach to the problem. In collaboration with Takspesialisten and the tech company Sensor Innovation, they have installed an advanced moisture sensor system on the school’s roof.

Moisture Damage Prevention with Advanced Sensor Technology

The into® sensor system from Sensor Innovation represents a technological breakthrough in combating moisture damage in buildings. By continuously monitoring moisture and temperature conditions in the roof, the system can detect issues before they become visible, potentially saving millions in repair costs, secondary damage, and operational downtime.

"Instead of firefighting, we can now rely on alerts and address issues proactively," explains Arnt Inge Haug from Rogaland County Municipality. "We know exactly where problems arise, making maintenance work much more efficient."

Tor Ove Nesset, COO of Sensor Innovation and co-founder of the sensor system, highlights a concerning trend in rainfall and increased instances of moisture damage. "Statistics show a threefold increase in moisture-related damages over the past 15 years, with more than 60% linked to roofs and terraces," he notes. "With expected increases in extreme rainfall of 5–30% in the future, the risk becomes even greater. Sensor technology will play a crucial role in reducing costs by enabling early detection of water and air leaks."

Building Expertise Remains Key

Henrik Mong Søreng from Takspesialisten, Sensor Innovation’s distributor in Rogaland and the lead on the roof renovation at Jåttå, sees immense potential in the technology. Søreng emphasizes the importance of tailored solutions for each building. "No two roofs are the same, and each must be assessed individually. At Takspesialisten, we bring technical expertise and hands-on experience, while Sensor Innovation contributes both advanced technology and strong building expertise. Together, we can offer a comprehensive solution that addresses the unique challenges of each building."

Nesset highlights the crucial role of building expertise in interpreting sensor data. "Our strength lies not only in the sensor technology itself but in our ability to analyze the data provided by the sensors and make informed decisions based on it," he explains.

He also expresses great satisfaction with the partnership with Takspesialisten, which he describes as an innovative provider of flat-roof solutions in the region. "Their focus on inspections, maintenance, and quality execution perfectly complements our technology," he says. "This type of collaboration represents the future of building maintenance and climate adaptation."

Significant Savings and Environmental Benefits

The sustainability perspective plays a central role in the county municipality’s decision. By preventing extensive moisture damage, the need for resource-intensive renovations is reduced. This not only saves money but also significantly cuts down on CO2 emissions and waste associated with building repairs.

The investment in new technology has already started to show results. "We’re seeing a significant difference in energy consumption," says Haug. "Where the new roof has been installed, we can maintain an average temperature of 22.1 degrees, compared to 21.5 degrees under the old roof, even though all rooms are set the same. This represents a substantial reduction in heat loss."

The county municipality estimates they can save millions by anticipating and preventing water damage. "Every time we can predict water intrusion, we save tens of thousands of Norwegian kroner by taking early action. Much of the technical equipment can also be salvaged or spared from damage," he emphasizes.

New Trends Bring New Challenges

As the use of technologies like solar panels and green roofs increases, so does the risk of damage. At Jåttå Upper Secondary School, both solar panels and sedum—a type of plant used on roofs instead of turf—are being installed. "Those working on the roof later on may unintentionally damage the structure without realizing it," explains Søreng. "The into® system allows us to continuously monitor these high-risk areas."

Nesset adds, "We see a clear trend of stricter regulations for stormwater management and technical installations in the international market. Norway is a bit behind, but we expect tighter requirements for leak guarantees and system warranties in the future."

For this reason, he is also impressed that Rogaland County Municipality has embraced the technology and placed trust in Sensor Innovation and Takspesialisten for new projects. "In many ways, they are ahead of their time, and as a county municipality, they are currently a standout example in Norway," says Nesset.

Future-Oriented Climate Adaptation in Practice

The experience at Jåttå has convinced the county municipality of the value of sensor technology. "We have already outlined this type of technology for two other upper secondary schools that are set to be built," says Thor Inge Asbjørnsen, property manager at Rogaland County Municipality. "We want to eliminate the situation that has occurred at Jåttå across all our properties."

Asbjørnsen also shares that the county municipality initially considered another supplier with more experience in the market. However, after Takspesialisten introduced him to Sensor Innovation, the choice became clear. "The fact that the sensors have a battery life of up to 30 years was an important factor for us. When the entire system is also wireless and the sensors are easy to replace in case of malfunction, we feel it’s extra secure," he says.

The project at Jåttå Upper Secondary School is a practical example of Rogaland County Municipality’s vision for "a climate-resilient and sustainable Rogaland." By adopting innovative technology, the county demonstrates how to proactively address climate challenges while also achieving significant financial and environmental benefits.

Three individuals who have each played an important role in the work to improve Jåttå Upper Secondary School: Thor Inge Asbjørnsen – property manager at Rogaland County Municipality, Henrik Mong Søreng – building engineer at Takspesialisten, and Arnt Inge Haug – operations manager at Jåttå Upper Secondary School.

"This is not just an investment in one building, but an investment in the future," concludes Asbjørnsen. "We hope our experiences can inspire others to think differently about building maintenance and climate adaptation. It's about being prepared for the challenges of tomorrow, not just today."

1: Water damage has caused over 10,000m2 of roofing to be replaced at Jåttå Upper Secondary School. Photo: Ålgård Fotostudio

2: With posture sensors in place from day one, the damage at Jåttå Upper Secondary School could have been avoided. Instead, a large and costly job is underway to repair and renew the entire roof of the school. Photo: Ålgård Fotostudio

3: Parts of the new roof installed at Jåttå Upper Secondary School. Photo: Ålgård Fotostudio

4: One of the sensors in the into® system, measuring moisture and temperature levels inside and on the building. Photo: Sensor Innovation