EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES AND RISKS IN FLAT ROOFING
ROOFING & CLADDING
EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES AND RISKS IN FLAT ROOFING
Simon Ashworth, Portfolio Manager – Flat Roofing at BMI Icopal, explains how innovation is reshaping flat roofing installation.
In flat roofing, safety begins at the point of design. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM), designers and clients have a responsibility to reduce the risks operatives face during installation. Advances in roofing materials and systems are making it possible to limit or eliminate hot works, improving safety without compromising performance.
Torch-on bituminous systems have been a prominent component of flat roof construction for decades. Their reliability and longevity are widely recognised and, for many contractors, using a gas torch has been as routine as reaching for a trowel or roller. However, with each open flame comes risk; to operatives, the building itself and the client’s investment. Rising insurance premiums and tighter safety expectations are prompting a shift towards systems that retain the performance benefits of traditional membranes while limiting the hazards of torch-applied methods.