Post by breakingsomemirror on Feb 25, 2009 10:27:28 GMT -5
Just found out about this new type of roofing material being produced and used around the country. Long story short, it's made of pressed steel, which is shaped to looked like standard roofing shingles. It's coated with some type of adhesive and grit, rock, and other materials so that it resembles traditional roofing tiles.
What gets me is how it's installed. The existing roofing materials (wood decking, roof tile, membranes, etc.) can be left in place. Then, a lattice-work of 1" by 3" wood framing is placed on top of the existing roof. These steel roofing panels are then secured on top of the wood framing, thus creating a void space between the old and the new roof.
The issues created by this new product are numerous. One is the obvious void space created, that will allow for fire travel and also allow the potential for the fire to go unchecked or unnoticed for longer periods of time. The second concern is how to tackle this material in terms of cutting. Will a standard wood blade be enough to handle it? Do we have to switch to a diamond blade or some other type to get through it? How will a chainsaw blade work? Finally, there's also the issue of potentially having to now cut two layers of roofing material: the metal top layer and the wooden lower layer. Crews will have to be vigilant in making sure they are cutting through BOTH layers.
To top it all off, the manufacturer boasts on it's website that this while this roofing material won't stop interior fires, it will contain them. Think about what this is going to do when a fire reaches the roof joists and possibly truss assemblies and now it's being contained all that much longer! That's going to be fun, huh?
Anyhow, not to beat a dead horse, I think it's important to know that this stuff is out there and the challenges it represents to us. For those may be thinking, "It's like Hurricane Glass, we'll never see that around here.", wrong! The Hunters Glenn Apartment complex in Delran is installing this on their apartment buildings as we speak. It's heeeerrrreee! : P
So Rev, let the boys in D24 know to be prepared the next time they come to the Glenn. It's going to be interesting!
At this time, I'm working with the FP office in D23 to get some samples of this stuff so we can play with it. I'd like to put some on the roof simulator behind our station and go at it with our saws. When I find out some more information, I'll let everybody know.
Stay safe.
PS - I have some pictures of this stuff that I'd like to post but can't figure out how to do it. If anybody can give me some guidance, I'd appreciate it. I'll them post them for everybody to see. Thanks.
What gets me is how it's installed. The existing roofing materials (wood decking, roof tile, membranes, etc.) can be left in place. Then, a lattice-work of 1" by 3" wood framing is placed on top of the existing roof. These steel roofing panels are then secured on top of the wood framing, thus creating a void space between the old and the new roof.
The issues created by this new product are numerous. One is the obvious void space created, that will allow for fire travel and also allow the potential for the fire to go unchecked or unnoticed for longer periods of time. The second concern is how to tackle this material in terms of cutting. Will a standard wood blade be enough to handle it? Do we have to switch to a diamond blade or some other type to get through it? How will a chainsaw blade work? Finally, there's also the issue of potentially having to now cut two layers of roofing material: the metal top layer and the wooden lower layer. Crews will have to be vigilant in making sure they are cutting through BOTH layers.
To top it all off, the manufacturer boasts on it's website that this while this roofing material won't stop interior fires, it will contain them. Think about what this is going to do when a fire reaches the roof joists and possibly truss assemblies and now it's being contained all that much longer! That's going to be fun, huh?
Anyhow, not to beat a dead horse, I think it's important to know that this stuff is out there and the challenges it represents to us. For those may be thinking, "It's like Hurricane Glass, we'll never see that around here.", wrong! The Hunters Glenn Apartment complex in Delran is installing this on their apartment buildings as we speak. It's heeeerrrreee! : P
So Rev, let the boys in D24 know to be prepared the next time they come to the Glenn. It's going to be interesting!
At this time, I'm working with the FP office in D23 to get some samples of this stuff so we can play with it. I'd like to put some on the roof simulator behind our station and go at it with our saws. When I find out some more information, I'll let everybody know.
Stay safe.
PS - I have some pictures of this stuff that I'd like to post but can't figure out how to do it. If anybody can give me some guidance, I'd appreciate it. I'll them post them for everybody to see. Thanks.
[My5:]