Problem

The DCT warehouse is a long, rectangular, 1-1/2 story, flat-roof building with multiple A/C units and vents penetrating the surface. The 25-year-old EPM roof on this 240,000 square foot facility was failing.

The roofing contractor was required to remove the good-sized rocks, and then detach the mechanically-attached EPM roofing material from a bed of two-inch ISO board. The membrane removal was conducted at a rate of 100 squares at a time, with equipment that vacuumed up and transferred the debris into dump trucks for disposal. The insulation was left in place.

Solution

The owners had specified TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin), a single-ply membrane roofing material, known for its UV inhibitors that contribute effectively to the life of the roof. Fire and chemical resistant, the material is reinforced with a polyester fabric and manufactured in several thicknesses. Two-inch material was selected for the DCT warehouse roof. The TPO was attached to the 4 x 8 ISO boards at 6 attachments per board.

The air-conditioning units were removed so that the TPO could be applied over the curb, with a small sealed extension under the unit sites, before replacing them with a tighter fit.

Metal coping material was applied on three sides of the building and sealed with an elastomeric bond. An ease-drip and gutters were installed, on the backside of the building, to disburse water from the front-to-back slope. The gutters were reinforced with hurricane straps at two feet on center, per specification.

All of the vents on the building were painted.

The entire project was completed in 24 days. The owners were satisfied with project procedures and installation.