Flame-free detailing for reinforced bitumen membranes
Our flame-free detailing designs specifically deliver secure and safe installations in the vicinity of combustible construction materials located on, or connected to, the roof such as timber substrates or upstands; abutments to cladding, roof tiles, slates or thatch; or debris such as dry leaf material that is at risk from ignition.
The flame-free zone is marked out so that no naked flame works is carried out within the area.
Our flame-free detailing is integrated into all the Bauder bituminous membrane installations, on all waterproofing solutions specifying this form of membrane. This gives versatile safe installation techniques for all roof types, site conditions and the client’s budget.
Please note: due to innovations in electronic torches, 'torch-free' has now changed to 'flame-free.'
Key features
- Complete range of self-adhesive bitumen membranes.
- Installation follows industry best practice and conforms to BS 8217:2005.
- 4.2mm thick KSO SN, KSO ALP SN and KSO-P SN cap sheets.
- Hot air welding of membrane laps in the flame-free zone.
- BauderPIR insulation bonded with polyurethane adhesive in warm roof construction.
- Complies with Building Regulations Approved Document B – Fire Safety.
- Manufactured to BS EN 13707:2004 Reinforced Bitumen Membrane Sheets.
Benefits
- Flame-free application reduces risk for contractors and clients.
- Practical solution so that installation programme times are achievable.
- Robust waterproofing without compromising system longevity.
Registered with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Safe2Torch initiative
Safe2Torch is an NFRC campaign developed to significantly reduce the risk of roof fires when using gas torches, either to dry out roofs or when used to install torch-on membranes.
Bauder was the first manufacturer to pledge support to the initiative.
More information can be found on the NFRC website.
The foundation for our flame-free detailing is the group of hot air welded, self-adhesive, SBS modified bitumen membranes for the vapour control layer, underlayer and cap sheet. These membranes and their application techniques conform to the recommendations given in the ‘Safe2Torch’ guidance published July 2017 by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). Bauder was the first manufacturer to pledge its support to the Safe2Torch initiative.
The key to industry best practice for the application of bituminous membranes is the responsible identification of combustible construction materials on the roof and specifying the correct combination of detailing and field area membranes, accounting for specific installation methods to follow the British Standards 8217:2005 code of practice and NFRC guidelines.
The CDM regulations 2015 state that everyone involved with a construction project has a responsibility to communicate accurate information about any potential risks and how they are being managed.
At Bauder, we fully support these safety principles and recognise our role as an industry-leading manufacturer to endorse safety best practices through our products and to promote to our approved contractors the safest installation methods possible in every flat roof project they are involved in.
Flame-free roof zones
The roof areas which have details formed with, or are adjacent to, combustible construction materials require an exclusion zone to be identified in a minimum 900 mm radius (shown in the image) from the material. This sanction demands specific membranes, particular design, and accurate flame-free installation techniques.
Our flame-free detailing design utilises our self-adhesive membranes for all three built-up waterproofing layers comprising the vapour control layer, underlayer and cap sheet. All laps for these membranes are sealed using hot air welding.
In a warm roof construction, the insulation is bonded to the vapour control layer with Bauder PU Insulation Adhesive. A completely flame-free installation option is available for an entire roof project, roof field area as well as all detailing, with our Bauder Airtech System.
Roof areas that are safe to accept gas torch installation
In certain situations, it is perfectly safe to use torch-bonded membranes. There are two options for torch-on application and these are dependent on the specific detail and the construction materials used:
1. The roof area does not have any combustible materials within its construction and is safe to accept torch-applied membranes, such as a concrete deck.
Or
2. Full encapsulation of the exposed combustible detail with self-adhesive underlayer, installed using hot air welding so that the detail is now risk-free, and a torch-bonded cap sheet is subsequently safe to install.
Flame-free detailing steps
