Theme: roofing Designers and architects are now increasingly exploiting roofs as usable spaces due to the greater availability of more reliable, more durable and more environmentally friendly materials. Here we lift the lid on some of the issues surrounding flat roofs BY BRIAN KEYWORTH There are almost certainly more roofing systems on the market now than ever before and selecting the correct specification for a project can be extremely difficult, especially if there isno in-house experience to provide background information. Many architects and a large proportion of clients consider a flat roof a high-risk option to be avoided wherever possible. This perception is, how= ever, inaccurate and results from a history of over-publicsed failures, often due to poor specifications and unsuitable materials chosen by low price rather than product performance, Despite outstanding carly examples, such 1s the Harvey Nichols store in London, the August 2000 [Ahigh- performance fuid-applied roofing system from Liquid Plasticshas been used on the Royal Horticultural Socety building in Westminster UK has been less adventurous than other European countries in exploiting flat roofs as, sable spaces such as terraces and roof gar~ dens, but this situation is changing. A more positive approach has resulted from the greater availability of reliable deckings and green roofs, Greet roofs are currently the fastest- growing sector ofthe industry, either as roof gardens or more lightly constructed as non- accessible, low-maintenance planted areas ‘which are visually attractive in urban envi- ronments or blend with their surroundings in rural areas. In urban locations, the provi sion of rooftop gardens has the additional advantage of helping to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide, In an earlier product review ‘on roofing, Keith Roberts quoted the defini- tion of sustainable roofing which was created at a workshop in October 1996 at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the US. It pro posed: ‘A roofing system that is designed, constructed, ‘maintained, rehabilitated and demolished with an emphasis throughout its, lifecycle on usingnatural resourcesefficiently and preserving the global environment? Most specifiers have become more con- scious of sustainability issues in recent years, and try, where possible to use materials from renewable sources or which can be recycled Copper, lead and aluminium roofing are all recyclable and have high‘raw-material values ~ itis claimed that more than 90 per cent of al aluminium currently used comes from recycled material. Coated steel is more difficult and less cost-effective 10 recycle. Multi-layer roofs are les easly re- cycled due tothe difficulty and cost of sep rating the component parts but some types Of single-membrane roof are now produced toa specification which will aid recycling. One must not overlook the advantage of long-term durability with easy maintenance, since replacement can involve a high-energy input even when the basic materials can be recycled. A life of 25 years plus fora flat roof hasbeen attainable for many years providing, design, specification and workmanship are correct, ‘New ta the market Ecological isues were an important consid- eration in the design of the new Millennium Grandstand at Newmarket Racecourse. The architec, the Goddard Wybor Practice, spec iffed the new Sure-Weld roofing system developed by US manufacturer Carlisle Syntec for the 300m? roof. Sure-Weld is a LeftFirestone EPDM Rubbergard was used on the Scotsman headquarters Right: Gripixst 30|9) focus ‘The£16 millon Millennium Grandstand at Newmarket Racecourse has a Sure-Weld roofing system from Carlise-Syntec thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane roofing system that claims to offer the strength, durability and heat weldability of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) but without its envi ronmental drawbacks. It comprises a poly- cester-reinforeed single-ply 10 membrane that is highly puncture-resistant and is for- ‘mulated for durability without the chlorinat ced ingredients and_plastcisers of PVC. At [Newmarket it was fixed mechanically to the steel deck beneath heat-welded lapped joints ‘The new Gripfix membrane fixing sys tem developed by Braas Single Ply Roofing for use with its Rhepanol fk membrane is an innovative solution using Velceo fastenings, ‘The Gripfix strips are first laid and fixed perpendicular to the corrugations of the deck. The Rhepanol fk membrane is then rolled out over the strips so that the Velcro hhooks on the strips grip firmly to the fleece backing of the membrane. A selfsealing lap detail seals the longitudinal seams securely, and cross-joints are also secured by Gripfix strips below the joint. Braas technical support can provide full calculations for wind uplift, ensuring the symmetrical distri- 38 from Braas Single Ply Roofing bution of wind load through the strips. One of the main causes of leakage in ‘membrane roofsis the interface between the membrane and adjoining construction, such as parapets and upstands for rooflights and services. At the new headquarters of the Scotsman newspaper in Edinburgh, Firestone EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) Rubbergerd has been used for ‘one quarter ofthe roof area where there are ‘numerous angles, comers and pipe penetra tions. Specified as a ballasted system, it incorporates Firestone’s uncured EPDM Formiflash which can be formed around any shape and then cures in stu overtime with- outlosing any ofits properties. A new grade of TPO membrane has been developed for use in ballasted roofs by Stevens Roofing Systems. Stevens EP-B membrane is a reinforced version of the Stevens EP brand of TPO. It comprises a 114mm membrane reinforced with poly ester scrim. A sand-coloured topside distin Buishes it from the grades of Stevens EP Which are designed for mechanically attached or fully adhered applications. Itcan August: 2000Theme: roofing be installed on buildings with a at or low- slope roof to a maximum of 9 degrees using, either concrete paviors or round river washed stone as ballast. Stevens Roofing Systems has recently announced that its EP brand of TPO single ply membrane has been awarded an FAB fire rating in the UK. It is believed that it isthe first non-halogenated roofing membrane to achieve this rating in the UK. The tests to BS 476: Part 3 were conducted at The Loss Prevention Council at Borehamwood and the F AB rating applies to 1.4mm mem branes for mechanically fixed installations. TThree ofthe biggest names in the roofing industry have combined to offer a water- ‘proofing system guaranteed to last the life of the roofisubstrate itis protecting. Flexiphalte Triple Protection is the result of co-operation between Rock Asphalte, Axter and Kingspan. It sa fully bonded polymer- ‘modified mastic-asphalt roofing membrane system which is designed tobe laid ‘dead fat” fon concrete roofs or substrates, or om ply boarded roofs, and it incorporates two ‘waterproofing layers and one protection layer. Axter’s Baryprene B3A high-perfor ‘mance membranes fully bonded tothe sub strate in hot bitumen. Then Rock Asphalte’s Pommar polymer-modified mastic asphalt 94) focus is fully bonded to the membrane and finally, Kingspan’s Styrodur insulation forms the protective layer. This can then be covered with ballast and/or paving slabs for a con ventional inverted roof, oF alternatively by soil and plants and turf for 2 roof gardenigreen roof, Hlexiphalte Triple Protection carries BBA Certification and is ‘guaranteed to remain watertight as long as the substrate remains firm. Installation must be carried out by licensed contractors. The guarantee covers design, labour, materials and consequential damage. ‘Avnew brochure from Sikaplan outlines the properties and uses ofits single-ply roof ing system. Its intended as a design guide for specifiers and gives all the relevant prop- erties of the roofing and lists the tests and standards achieved. Diagrams show the make-up of different roof constructions including mechanically fixed and ballasted designs. Making the upgrade Refurbishment of old or failed roofs to upgrade their weather resistance or thermal performance is a major part of the roof industry’ work and can often produce special problems of maintaining the original appearance and allowing the building to Left Ruberoids Superfiexitraply warusedona Bedfordshire schoo Above:three manufacturers Flexiphalte Triple Protection. Belo Stevens Roofing Systemhasanew smembranefor ballastedroote collaborated on remain in use during the work. Callenders Profile Plus System has recently been used to refurbish 4000m of roof at the Van Den Bergh factory, which manufactures packet soups, without interfering with factory pro- duction, The Profile Plus boards were spe- ally manufactured to fit. over and encapsulate the existing profiled cement sheeting and delivered to site asa pre-bond- ced board complete with the underlay for mechanical fixing. A layer of Elastogum Blue/Grey capshect was then torched onto the underlay and colour-coated metal enclo sures fitted to terminate the system at the ridge and eaves. [At the 19606-built Robert Peel School in Bedfordshire the original bituminous felt system was refurbished using Ruberoid’s new Superflex Ultraply roofing system. Ultraply is the latest generation of high- performance bituminous single-ply mem branes from Ruberoid. At the Robert Peel School, Ruberoid Ultratherm SF insulation was bonded to the existing prepared roof and Superflex Ultraply mechanically fixed to the insulation. The lap joints we hot-air welded, obviating the need for hot- bonding bitumen or torch flames and there fore allowing the schoo! classes to continue normally below: Auguet 2000