ROOFING
Failing to factor in fire risks for flat roofs during hot works can have catastrophic consequences which is why the NFRC has launched a campaign- Safe2 Torch. BMJ finds out the implications for merchants.
TORCH SAFE, NOT SORRY
R
oof fires caused by gas torches, no matter how minor, pose a threat to the user, product, property and, in extreme circumstances, to life and will potentially impact the long-term future of torch-on as an accepted method of roof covering. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), anyone writing a flat roof specification which involves hot works needs to assess the hazards associated with the works and design out, or greatly reduce, the risks of fire. Hot works refers to a process that includes a source of ignition and has the potential to create a significant fire safety risk. Common hot works include cutting, grinding, welding, torch-on roofing, bitumen boiler work and drying substrates with a torch before application of roof system – all of which can form part of flat roof installation. Where a combustible material is present, or the risk of fire occurs, or the risk is not known; an alternative, torch-free solution should be specified from the outset – although this can just be local to the risk area. This means that while torch-on membranes are safe, the specification needs to reflect areas where risk could exist. To this end, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) launched Safe2Torch, in partnership with the roofing industry. Quite simply, it seeks to reduce the risk of roof fires when using gas torches. The campaign is designed to support specification writers in complying with CDM 2015 and ties in with the HSE-led Helping Great Britain Work Well strategy, which promotes a safer and healthier working environment.
Daniel Tucker, systems product manager at BMI UK & Ireland, says that since the campaign’s launch, great strides have been made across the sector to ensure awareness and implementation of the Safe2Torch guidelines and processes; the NFRC aims to see it become the default design approach in all flat roofing applications involving hot works.
“Safe2Torch campaign registration is set to become mandatory for all CompetentRoofer and NFRC members involved with flat roofing; and this should prove a great incentive for designers and specifiers to write membership and/ or scheme registration into their requirements,” he says.
For their part, Safe2Torch contractors must 28
follow scheme guidance and a checklist when writing specifications; follow Safe2Torch guidance when using a gas torch either for drying out and/or installation work; carry out work using flame-free solutions when appropriate and carry out robust fire checks after hot works have finished.
Merchant familiarity
Tucker says that, from the merchant perspective, familiarity with Safe2Torch compliant materials – such as thermically activated flat roof systems mentioned will help inform stock choices especially when dealing either with larger accounts known to undertake significant flat roofing projects and are supporters of the campaign; or when working with manufacturers on individual customer specifications .
“One requirement of Safe2Torch is the identification of ‘exclusion zones’ which separate combustion risk and Safe2Torch zones. There then needs to be a suitable means of detailing using cold or ‘cool work’ materials and installation techniques. These exclusion zones could be, for instance, where pitched roofs and flat roofs meet at eaves, or junctions with plain tile cladding; or around window cills and roof lantern details.”
Tucker expains that an example of ‘cool work’ materials would be thermically activated flat roof systems – such as those from the BMI Icopal TorchSafe range – which combine the use of thermically activated products, hot air welding and specially formulated primers. “The development of such Safe2Torch compliant solutions, like thermically activated systems, reveal the importance of
manufacturers in helping frame Safe2Torch.” he says. “This involvement was imperative as, however laudable the scheme, it would be impossible to implement practically without contractors having access to materials and product ranges suitable to satisfy Safe2Torch specifications; or design and technical support services.”
The development of thermically activated bitumen has allowed combustible and sensitive substrates and details to be covered ‘cold’, keeping all surfaces free from fire risk during application. “These membranes are manufactured from dual compounds of SBS-modified bitumen to the upper surface, combined with a high tack, low activation thermically activated compounds to the lower” Tucker adds.
For decks, high-performance specially- formulated primers improve bond adhesion of thermically activated self-adhesive bituminous membranes. Primers are available in both brush and roller applied or spray applied variants. “Outside exclusion zones, capsheets will still generally be torched, they are available in high fire-resistant formulations that provide a fire protection layer, shielding the roof from both spread of flame and fire penetration” Tucker continues.
“When designing flat roofing, observation of Safe2Torch requirements and utilisation of proprietary design and specification services – and systems such as BMI Icopal TorchSafe – will help meet the statutory responsibility to manage risks created through those designs under the CDM 2015; not to mention greatly reduce roof fires and the high costs – personal and financial – that can ensue.” BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net July 2019
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