New Material And Equipment Allows For Greater Control Over Asphalt Roofing Installations

According to the Quality Commercial Asphalt Roofing Council (QARC) of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), modern equipment is improving the quality of asphalt roofing installations through such things as better monitoring of asphalt temperature and viscosity during installation; as well as drastically lowering fume emissions.

QARC members include the processors of liquid asphalt, as well as polymer-modified bitumen products and related application equipment. Modified bitumen (MB) products have gained wide acceptance with application techniques such as cold process adhesives, torch application and hot mopping on commercial buildings. In addition, new equipment and more efficient methods for applying multiple layers of hot-asphalt have been developed, simplifying the installation of traditional built-up roofing (BUR).

“The application of hot-applied asphalt requires a skilled work force, high-quality materials and proper equipment,” said Reed Hitchcock, executive director of ARMA. “Fortunately, today’s equipment is better than ever before, especially with respect to fume recovery systems.”
Fume-recovery systems are used successfully during the application of asphalt roofing materials on schools, hospitals and other facilities where people or specialized equipment are sensitive to fumes. But these systems are relatively new to the industry. After first appearing during the 1970s, they were reintroduced in the early 1990s after much re-design and testing. These systems either burn up the smoke and fumes or capture them on filters. There are three basic types.

The first type has an afterburner attached to a regular kettle lid. It can be retrofitted to existing kettles or installed at the factory on new units. This system includes a safety device for loading. The second type has a burner that is separate from the kettle and connected to the kettle by a metal hose, which pulls the smoke and fumes into a fume-recovery unit. The third type is also separate from the kettle and connected with a metal hose. It uses a fan to pull the smoke and fumes into filters. In this case, a roofing worker must periodically dispose of the filters.

According to Hitchcock, asphalt-roofing installations are much different than a decade ago, thanks in a large part to the use of more sophisticated equipment.

“Fumes have been greatly curtailed through the use of new equipment and a well-trained workforce,” Hitchcock said. “ Equipment improvements contribute to a high quality installation of asphalt roofing systems.”
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association is the North American trade association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of bituminous-based residential and commercial fibreglass, and organic asphalt shingle roofing products, roll-roofing, built-up (BUR) roofing systems, and modified bitumen roofing systems.

For more information, contact ARMA at (202) 207-0917 or visit www.asphaltroofing.org or www.qualityasphaltroofing.org