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Abstract
This report presents a summary of a survey to obtain information on the performance of EPDM roofing at Army facilities. Emphasis in the survey was on the performance of seams fabricated with unaged rubber and also patches made on existing, aged rubber. The results are intended to help provide guidelines for the maintenance of EPDM roofs at Army facilities, as well as to define research needs to overcome problems identified. The survey was conducted by telephone of 73 installations nationwide. Facility personnel responsible for roof maintenance were asked about their personal experiences with EPDM roofs. Based on the opinions offered, the results indicated that performance of EPDM roofing has been generally satisfactory at the installations. The majority of those contacted described performance as good to excellent. The major problem experienced was unsatisfactory seam performance. Many of the described seam problems were isolated. Consequently, although problems had occurred, the individual contacted expressed general satisfaction with EPDM roofing. However, in four extreme cases, the individuals contacted stated that the unsatisfactory seam performance had been experienced to such an extent that they considered the overall performance of EPDM roofing as fair to poor. The survey results provided little information on the performance of patches made on aged rubber. The reason was that most facility personnel indicated they had little experience with patches. Based on the results of the survey, it is recommended that studies be carried out to provide the technical basis for preparing the surfaces of aged rubber membranes before making seams or patches. The effect of aging on the surface characteristics of EPDM rubber has received little attention in the roofing literature.
This report presents a summary of a survey to obtain information on the performance of EPDM roofing at Army facilities. Emphasis in the survey was on the performance of seams fabricated with unaged rubber and also patches made on existing, aged rubber. The results are intended to help provide guidelines for the maintenance of EPDM roofs at Army facilities, as well as to define research needs to overcome problems identified. The survey was conducted by telephone of 73 installations nationwide. Facility personnel responsible for roof maintenance were asked about their personal experiences with EPDM roofs. Based on the opinions offered, the results indicated that performance of EPDM roofing has been generally satisfactory at the installations. The majority of those contacted described performance as good to excellent. The major problem experienced was unsatisfactory seam performance. Many of the described seam problems were isolated. Consequently, although problems had occurred, the individual contacted expressed general satisfaction with EPDM roofing. However, in four extreme cases, the individuals contacted stated that the unsatisfactory seam performance had been experienced to such an extent that they considered the overall performance of EPDM roofing as fair to poor. The survey results provided little information on the performance of patches made on aged rubber. The reason was that most facility personnel indicated they had little experience with patches. Based on the results of the survey, it is recommended that studies be carried out to provide the technical basis for preparing the surfaces of aged rubber membranes before making seams or patches. The effect of aging on the surface characteristics of EPDM rubber has received little attention in the roofing literature.
Date
6/1989
6/1989
Author(s)
Walter Rossiter Jr; James Seiler Jr
Walter Rossiter Jr; James Seiler Jr
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
EPDM; low slope roofing; maintenance; membranes; army facility; quality assurance; service life; survey
EPDM; low slope roofing; maintenance; membranes; army facility; quality assurance; service life; survey