Roofing
EPDM Membranes ensure sustainability - built to last?
Andrew Cooper from EPDM roofing specialist, Firestone Building Products, discusses the importance of a ‘built to last’ approach to specification in achieving a more sustainable built environment, and highlights the benefits EPDM membranes can bring in driving better long-term performance from the fabric of a building.
Through over-use the word ‘sustainable’ has lost much of its meaning in the construction sector, becoming a generic label that is often used as a catch-all alternative to ‘environmentally-friendly’.
But a truly sustainable project needs to ensure that any eco-specification and reduced carbon footprint can be sustained over the long term, and the only transparent way to truly assess a roofing system’s environmental profile is to average its carbon footprint across its life span. That includes embedded carbon from manufacturing processes and transportation, recyclability, potential waste stream implications and, perhaps most importantly of all, service life.
HOW LONG SHOULD A BUILDING LAST?
The life span of a building is usually defined as the period for which it will be used for its intended purpose, with reasonable maintenance but without major repair. As a result, the anticipated working life of many buildings designed today is just 20 years!
Part of the problem is that legislation surrounding the topic of sustainability is primarily focused on a building’s services installation and thermal performance, rather than its long-term viability. So, while Part L is a mandatory element of building design, there is no such requirement to ensure that the fabric of the building will still be fit for purpose 10, 20 or 50 years down the line.
Instead, the life span element of a building’s sustainability is viewed as more of a commercial consideration. Consequently, the longevity and long-term performance of construction materials are often weighed against their purchase cost rather than being prioritised as a key element of the building’s sustainability credentials.
When it comes to roofing, the longevity of the waterproofing membrane is not only vital in extending the service life of the roof build up (including the deck and the insulation), but is often also critical to the service life of other elements of the building envelope, structure and interior fit out. After all, water ingress from a leaking roof has the potential to damage internal finishes, fixtures and timbers, jeopardising the design life of the entire building.
Another important consideration is adaptability; when specifying a roof that will stand the test of time, it’s vital not only to consider how long the material and the installation will last, but whether it can be adapted rather than replaced if changes are needed. This both aids sustainability and may also reduce the whole life costs of the building.
FIRESTONE BUILDING PRODUCTS
EPDM membranes like Firestone’s RubberGard™ answer these requirements on all counts. EPDM is an inert material that resists the effects of UV and ozone degradation, whilst retaining flexibility over a service life in excess of 50 years, which adds up to excellent sustainability and whole life cost benefits. Moreover, Firestone’s RubberGard™ EPDM roofing membrane is provided in larger widths than other membranes, usually 3m wide x 30m long for fully-adhered installations or as a 6m wide roll for mechanically fixed installations. However, for larger roofs, it can be supplied in widths as large as 15 metres. The larger widths of RubberGard™ EPDM membranes significantly reduce the number of seams required - the most vulnerable points of any installation - thereby contributing to the service life of the roof.
EFFECTIVE OVERLAY
For refurbishment projects, the first indicator of whether a roofing system contributes to the building’s sustainability is whether or not a strip out of the existing substrate will be required.
Overlaying an existing sound structure and coverings prevents strip out waste from being sent to landfill, limits the impact of any work on the building and its occupants and contributes to sustainability when carried out to a high standard using materials that are compatible with the existing substrate and each other.
For example, if the requirement is for upgraded insulation and new waterproofing, it’s essential that the waterproofing membrane is compatible with the new insulation and the attachment system components.
The roof build up should be able to demonstrate an extended service life as a component of the overall roof system. A Firestone RubberGard™ EPDM membrane, for example, will last up to 50 years but this can only be achieved if the complete system, comprising membrane, insulation and accessories are all specified and installed to manufacturer guidelines.
SUSTAINABLE SERVICE LIFE
Too often, too much emphasis is placed on meeting criteria set out by building regulations and initiatives without sufficient regard for genuinely reducing carbon footprint and waste by specifying buildings that last longer. Firestone’s RubberGard™ EPDM Roofing system has been designed to extend the service life of buildings, ensuring sustainability is embedded in the building fabric.
TEL: 01606 552026
WWW.FIRESTONEBPE.CO.UK 37
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