Instructions / Assembly

9
TRI-PLY
®
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS/CONSIDERATIONS
Roofing is a hazardous activity. Workers must be properly trained to work
in a manner to avoid falls, burns, back injuries, heat-related afflictions, etc.
It is the sole responsibility of the roofing applicator to enforce fire safety
precautions and to ensure safety at all times. All appropriate OSHA and
local codes should be followed in the application of roofing. All personnel
involved in roofing should be properly trained in safety and fire proce-
dures. Proper clothing and equipment should be worn at all times on the
job site.
We refer you to the National Roofing Contractors Association’s “Passport
to Safety” booklet, which addresses numerous safety concerns. Visit
nrca.net for more information.
TORCH SAFETY INFORMATION
Installation of torch-applied products creates the risk of fire, including
smoldering fires.
Torch-applied products must be applied only by professional roofing
applicators trained in proper torch application and safety procedures.
Roofing applicators must follow GAFs current roofing safety require-
ments, procedures, and specifications, which are available from GAF
Technical Services by calling toll-free: 1-800-ROOF-411.
Procedures and equipment that will be used must comply with all applica-
ble code requirements.
Knowledge of the building construction and HVAC systems must be
obtained prior to installation of torch-applied products.
All potentially combustible and flammable aspects of the building’s use
and design that increase the risk of fire must be identified, including:
• Deck and under deck composition (materials and accessories);
• Insulation types;
• Cants and tapered edge strips;
• Parapet wall and curb composition;
• Perimeter details;
• Adjoining building materials;
• Expansion joints;
• Wires and electrical conduit pipes;
• Natural gas lines;
• Chemicals, grease, oil or other condensates/exhausts/spills.
A base sheet must be used between the roofing membrane and any com-
bustible materials, such as wood.
Never apply flame directly to combustible materials or allow the flame
to enter into hidden or protected areas that may contain combustible
materials, such as:
• Air intakes or exhaust openings;
• Air coolers;
• Lead flashings;
• Drains;
• Counterflashings and coping covers;
• Collars;
• Flashings.
The installation equipment must be designed for the specific use, and
must be in proper working order.
Ventilation must always meet or exceed OSHA or NIOSH requirements.
A supervisor trained in torch safety must conduct external and internal
fire watches during application and after the torches are shut down. The
watches shall never be less than one hour and may need to be longer.
TRI-PLY
®
Design and Application Instructions
The watches shall be of sufficient frequency and duration based on:
• Weather;
• Building and roof design and composition;
• Penetration types and design.
Infrared scanning equipment must be used in the fire watch.
One Class ABC fire extinguisher must be kept within 10' (3.05 m) of every
torch operator.
The above list is not a complete set of necessary safety requirements,
procedures, and specifications. Call GAF Technical Services for the most
current GAF technical literature. In addition, the following steps must be
taken by the applicator to prevent fires, since only the applicator is in a
position to prevent fires. These steps include, but are not limited to:
• Do not leave propane torches lighted and unattended. Do not place a
lighted torch on the deck surface, insulation, membrane, or any other
surface or object other than an acceptable torch stand. Extinguish
the torch when not in use.
• Avoid holding the flame on any one area of the membrane or sub-
strate long enough for heavy smoke to be generated.
• Train all personnel in GAF’s recommended application techniques.
• Train all personnel in fire prevention and extinguishing methods.
Take precautions when working around combustible materials, such
as gas lines for HVAC units, and in the presence of solvent-based
products. Use caution to prevent burns and train personnel in first-
aid procedures.
• Comply with all applicable fire regulations regarding the storage and
use of propane.
Note: For more information on safety measures, we recommend you
refer to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association booklet titled
“Torch Applied Roofing Dos and Don’ts” and their video, “A Guide to
Safety Torch-On Modified Bitumen.” Visit asphaltroofing.org for
more information.
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TORCH APPLICATIONS
Membrane Installation
Only torches designed for installing modified bitumen roofing sheets should
be used for installing Tri-Ply
®
Sheets in both field and flashing constructions.
Starting at the low point of the roof surface, set the roll in the course to be
followed and unroll half the roll where practical. Position the membrane to
provide a minimum of 3" (76 mm) side laps and a 6" (152 mm) end lap. End
laps shall not occur in a continuous line and should be offset by a minimum
of 3' (914 mm). Using the torch, apply the flame to the surface of the coiled
portion of the roll until the surface reaches the proper application tempera
-
ture (approximately 350 °F [177 °C]). The side lap and end lap areas of the
previously applied sheet must also be heated to provide proper adhesion.
The plastic film must be melted off the selvage edge of granule-surfaced
products. The flame should be moved from side to side and up the side lap
area of the previously applied sheet. Unroll the membrane while pressing
onto the underlying surface. BE SURE that the surface of the roll is heated
sufficiently so that it develops a sheen and the texture-backed products lose
their sharp definition. The generation of heavy smoke is an indication that
the surface is being overheated. When this half of the roll is secure, reroll
the other half of the roll and heat-weld in place in the same manner. A min
-
imum of ¼" (6 mm) flow out of modified bitumen compound is required at
all seams. More than 1" (25 mm) flow out of modified bitumen compound
may indicate excess heating of the sheet. Field seams should not be trow
-
eled. Vertical flashing seams may be troweled when desired for appearance.
At the 6" (152 mm) minimum end laps, sufficient heat must be applied to the
granule-surfaced Tri-Ply
®
Membranes to cause the granules to sink into the
top surface coating to ensure a receptive surface for bonding to the overlap
-
ping next roll of Tri-Ply
®
Membrane.