New Ideas

Underlayment prevents leaks

Tarco Specialty Products Inc. has made available LeakBarrier™ Ice and Water Armor, a self-adhering underlayment that protects a roof deck and building from leaks, ice and water dams, and wind-driven rain.

The product, which can be used under metal, tile or shingles, is designed for valleys, ridges, coping joints, chimneys, vents, dormers, skylights and low-slope roof areas. The underlayment is made of SBS-modified bitumen and features a split-back release film that is said to adhere to concrete, plywood, wood composition board and gypsum sheathing decks.

The product is available in 1- or 2-square rolls and two skid-resistant surfaces.

SPF spray rig is portable

Gusmer Corp. has made available its Gusmer Mobile Spray Rig, a spray polyurethane foam (SPF) system that mounts on the back of a dual-axle trailer and can be pulled by a 3/4-ton truck.

The rig includes standard safety equipment, such as a fire extinguisher, eye-wash station and first-aid kit. The rig can be heated or cooled, and its utilityroom contains a diesel generator, air compressor and tank reservoir. The rig features metering and proportioning equipment to measure spray levels and is available as a stainless-steel divorced-style transfer pump system or diaphragm pump system.

Insulation is for many roof systems

Firestone Building Products has released Firestone ISO 300 insulation boards, which are compatible with the company's roof systems. The boards consist of a closed-cell polyisocyanurate foam core laminated to a coated fiberglass mat facer.

The company also released its Firestone ISO Spray, a two-part low-rise insulation adhesive. The product attaches insulation to various substrates and multilayer insulation assemblies.

In addition, the company has expanded its reroofing products with Firestone QuickRoof and the Firestone QuickRoof Metal Building Retrofit (MR) System. The QuickRoof systems reportedly are an economic alternative for medium to large nonpenetrating roof systems when fully adhered and ballasted roof systems cannot be used. Both systems consist of nonreinforced EPDM panels that are bonded to the company's QuickSeam® Reinforced Mechanically Attached Strips. The strips can be attached with the company's new Firestone Purlin Fasteners that incorporate a square drive head to drill through heavy-gauge purlins.

In other news, Firestone has partnered with VP Buildings Inc. to develop Deck·Frame, a support that can be used on pre-engineered metal buildings for installation of a membrane roof system. The support allows for several VP Building framing options, including rigid frame, continuous beam, transbay, continuous truss and hybrid. The system also supports Firestone's fully adhered, ballasted and mechanically attached roof systems.

Resource helps prevent property loss

Factory Mutual (FM) Research has released its 2002 Factory Mutual Research Approval Guide CD-ROM to help architects, consulting engineers, plant managers, contractors and product buyers reduce property-loss risks. The guide contains 45,000 FM Research-approved listings of equipment, fire-protection and electrical materials and services. Products are listed by trade name and include manufacturers' names and addresses, as well as technical information.

Roof coatings meet standards

Carlisle Syntec Inc. has made available its Sure-Seal Acrylic Coatings™ that are engineered to meet ASTM International standards for weathering, adhesion, viscosity and elongation. The products also meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's and Department of Energy's criteria for Energy Star® status. The reflective coatings are available in gray, white and custom colors.

Cable provides fall protection

The Bacou-Dalloz Group has made available its Miller® Cable Anchorage Connector that protects workers from falling. The product wraps around an I-beam or similar structure that can withstand 5,000 pounds and then connects to a captive-eye carabiner or locking snap hook. In addition, a lanyard or self-retracting lifeline can be attached to a worker's O-ring connector. Two 6-foot models, made of 1/4-inch-thick vinyl-coated wire rope, are available.

Rooftop system generates energy

The Garland Co. Inc. has released its SolarGrid,™ a modular photovoltaic system that can convert sunlight into electricity. The system includes hardware for attachment to a roof system, as well as photovoltaic modules, combiner boxes, inverters and transformers. The product is designed for low-slope roof systems, including standing-seam metal roof systems.

Polyester reinforces roof membrane

Honeywell Commercial Roofing Systems has released PolyFlash,™ a nonwoven, needle-punched polyester mat with a chemical binder that is said to add strength to base flashings, metal stripping and roof membranes. The product reportedly conforms to a substrate and can be used on new roof systems or during roof system repairs. The polyester mat is compatible with coal-tar-pitch and asphalt roof systems.

In addition, the company has made available its EnviroGard™ reflective roof coating. The product features adhesion promoters, ultraviolet-ray blockers and fungicides to resist discoloration and deterioration. The coating can be applied to smooth or granular-surfaced built-up roof systems and asphalt or coal-tar-pitch modified bitumen roof systems.

Insulation is for built-up roof systems

Dow Building Materials has introduced HY-THERM™ AP™ 450 polyisocyanurate insulation that can be used under hot-mopped built-up roof systems without underlayments. The product features a polyester terephthalate facer that is said to withstand temperatures of 450 F to 500 F. The insulation's facer reportedly is moisture-resistant and will not blister or curl.

In addition, the company has made available its STYROFOAM™ DECKMATE™ Plus Extruded Polystyrene Tapered Roofing Insulation in precut, prepackaged bundles. The insulation is available in 2- by 8-foot panels and several thicknesses. The product can be used on various single-ply membranes and is said to be moisture-resistant and thermally efficient, as well as withstand foot traffic, ballast and other roof loads.

Insulation is for single-ply membranes

Johns Manville Roofing Systems has made available its High Density Single Ply Board, a low-thermal, rigid insulation board that can be directly applied to single-ply roof membranes. The insulation is made of expanded perlite with reinforcing cellulosic fibers and a patented binder formulation. The fire-resistant insulation is available in 4- by 8-foot boards that are 1/2 inch thick.

Roof board consists of recycled materials

Owens Corning has released StrataGuard™ Roof Board, a gypsum product that is reinforced with wood fiber and made of 95 percent recycled materials.

The product is designed for single-ply, fully adhered, mechanically fastened and standing-seam metal roof systems. The board is said to be fire-, puncture- and moisture-resistant and durable in harsh weather conditions. The product is available in 1/2- and 5/8-inch thicknesses.

Spray adhesive is noncellular

Stevens Roofing Systems has made available its Stevens NC Adhesive, a two-component, noncellular, modified polyurea spray adhesive for use with the company's EV-Fleece membranes.

The adhesive, available in two 55-gallon drums, is applied with plural-component, heated mix and spray equipment. The reroofing product reportedly does not contain volatile organic compounds and can be used on various roof decks, roof system surfaces and insulation, such as modified bitumen, gypsum, wood, polyisocyanurate and spray polyurethane foam.