FIXINGS & FASTENERS
reinstalled, thereby adding
unnecessary time onto the job.
Retrofit complications
Another area where installers can hit
snags is on retrofit roofing installations.
For these jobs, roofers will often face
existing layers of membrane and
insulation, which typically are overlaid
with new membrane and insulation
layers. Using adhesive to attach these
new layers and by not securing existing
and aging layers risks potential failure of
the roof.
< The TIA system
Additionally, new or existing cuts to
fall systems or existing tapered screed
layers will lead to a variation in the
build up at any single point. Therefore,
installing traditional mechanical
fastened systems requires installers to
use a variety of fastener lengths across
the roof, thereby adding significant
complexity to the install.
Make haste with
mechanical fixings
Mechanical fixings can overcome all of
these challenges by securely fixing all of
the layers of the roof, providing reliable
performance and long life warranties.
Compared with adhesive systems,
mechanical fastening systems are less
weather dependent, and can be used in
all exposure zones.
For refurbishment and newbuild
concrete decks, pull out testing will
assist in calculating the appropriate
fastener design load.
When used in conjunction with the
project wind load calculation, the correct
fixing pattern can be determined to
ensure a safe and secure installation.
To overcome the tapered insulation
challenges on concrete decks, installers
can use the TIA system from SFS. This
height adjustable insulation fastener
solution is specifically designed to
self-adjust to the insulation thickness, as
the fastener engages with the telescopic
sleeve, and the result is a significantly
simplified install.
Drilling time is considerably
reduced using the TIA system too, as
it requires just 35mm deep pilot holes
for all settings. When compared to the
conventional practice of drilling up to
100mm deep pilot holes for tapered
schemes on concrete decks, this typically
equates to 60% less drilling.
When the heat is on, use
heat induction
A final area where contractors can
speed up jobs is by using heat induction
welding technology, such as the isoweld
system from SFS, to install singly ply
membranes. Since its launch, more
than 15 million square metres of single
ply membrane has been successfully
installed.
This technique involves using electric
heat induction to weld the membrane
to a specially coated metal stress plate
located underneath the membrane,
providing an extremely secure fix
without penetrating the waterproof
membrane.
Each plate only requires three
seconds to weld, and the isoweld system
is also easy to set up and calibrate.
Suitable with both PIR, EPS and mineral
wool insulation types, the heat induction
technology can be used in conjunction
with PVC, TPO and EPDM single ply
membranes.
The membrane fasteners are installed
in field fix patterns in comparison to
the traditional lap fixing, and therefore,
significantly fewer fasteners are
required. Typically up to 50% fewer
fasteners are required and the isoweld
field-fix system allows installers to use
the widest membranes available, which
significantly reduces the extent of
seam-welding required.
The TIA fastener system can be used
in conjunction with isoweld to offer a
faster and more cost efficient install for
concrete decks.
Securing roofs, securing
futures
Roofing contractors should always
remain open to embracing new
innovation opportunities, such as
TIA and isoweld. By doing so it will
help meet some of the significant
challenges ahead by way of increasing
site productivity, creating efficiencies
wherever possible and thereby assisting
profitability.
SFS is doing all it can to help
installers and contractors during these
difficult times, not just to secure roofs,
but to secure futures as well.
From the provision of office and site
support, through to maintaining the
supply of product from our factories, we
will continue to go that extra mile and
provide the industry with assistance
where required, including efficiency
savings through product innovation.
w www.sfsintec.co.uk
from SFS can
be used in
conjunction
with isoweld
(top left) to
oer a faster
and more cost
ecient install
for concrete
decks
50 www.rcimag.co.uk August 2020
/www.sfsintec.co.uk
/www.rcimag.co.uk
