When the outside temperature is below 40 °F (4.4 °C), installation of the Elevate PVC System requires additional precautionary measures:
- o Ensure that the roof surface is dry. Even trace amounts of moisture may cause poor adhesion and lead to moisture entrapment within the
- o Use of temporary roofs should be considered when roof applications must occur in cold or potentially wet weather to permit continued interior
- o Refer to the product Technical Information Sheets for individual product temperature restrictions or limitations if applicable.
- Store roofing membranes in a clean, dry location out of direct sunlight, and away from sources of punctures or other physical damage.
- Prior to installation, unroll membranes and allow them to relax for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- During cold weather, folded membrane panels become more difficult to relax and install, especially with adhered systems. The use of no-fold panels in cold weather is highly recommended.
- Thermoplastic membranes become more rigid in cold temperatures. To help membranes relax (including all standard, TPO-SA, TPO Flex Adhered, and XR membranes), early on the day of installation, remove the outer wrapping and leave the roll in the sunlight as long as possible. This will enable the darker bottom ply of the membrane to absorb as much heat as possible and increase the membrane’s flexibility.
- To ensure TPO and PVC seams are properly welded when using an automatic welder, it is critical that test welds are completed:
- When using a hand welder, test welds should be performed on scrap membrane or unsupported flashing material to ensure the operator is using the proper technique and temperature setting.
- The Firestone Jet Bond Spray Adhesive should be stored to maintain the desired product temperate at 70 °F (21 °C).
- Apply only when minimum ambient temperature for application is 25 °F (-4 °C) or above.
- Do not apply when wind speed conditions are 15 mph or greater.
- FullForce EPDM and UltraPly TPO SA membranes utilize Elevate’s Secure Bond™ technology to adhere to various horizontal roofing and vertical wall substrates.
- Store FullForce EPDM and TPO SA in a clean, dry location, and keep dry prior to installation.
- FullForce EPDM and TPO SA may be installed when ambient and substrate temperatures exceed 20 °F (-7 °C). Remember to observe cold weather guidelines whenever primers are required for application.
- The minimum safe application temperature for induction welding of Firestone thermoplastic membranes to InvisiWeld or InvisiWeld-S plates is 0 °F (-18 °C).
- Before induction welding with the appropriate tool, ensure there is no moisture or condensation present on the top surface of the plate or on the bottom surface of the roofing membrane. Moisture will affect the ability of the induction tool to weld, and may result in partial or incomplete welds.
- Always follow the induction tool manufacturer’s guidelines for calibration and use of the tool in cold temperatures. In general, the tool must be calibrated regularly, in real time, ON-SITE, using materials (membrane and plates) in the same temperature conditions as the jobsite materials.
- Uncured EPDM flashing products (both standard and EcoWhite™ EPDM) are designed to be formable, but cold weather may require supplemental warming by using a heat gun during application.
- Care should be taken to keep heat guns away from cleaners, primers, adhesives, or other flammable materials.
- Ambient conditions (sunlight, wind, and temperature) and flashing color will determine the need for supplemental heat. Typically, temperatures below 60 °F (16 °C) may require the use of additional heat to ensure the formability of uncured flashing products.
- Store SBS and APP modified bitumen rolls and BUR ply felts between 50 °F and 100 °F (10 °C and 38 °C), and install when ambient and substrate temperatures are 40 °F (4 °C) and rising. Attempting to install asphalt-based products below 40 °F (4 °C) can reduce adhesion, resulting in delaminating or blistering during subsequent heating cycles.
- Materials must be used within 4 hours of removal from a heated storage area. Materials that are not used within 4 hours must be returned to a heated storage area until they return to 50 °F to 100 °F (10 °C and 38 °C), which typically takes 24 hours.
- Hot Asphalt
- Store Multi-Purpose MB Cold Adhesive and Multi-Purpose MB Flashing Cement between 60 °F to 80 °F (16 °C and 27 °C) in their original, unopened containers.
- Multi-Purpose MB Cold Adhesive is best applied during cold weather by use of a heated spray rig. Squeegee-applied Cold Adhesive is not recommended during cold weather. Ambient and substrate temperatures should be 40 °F (4 °C) and rising at the time of application.
- Firestone Multi-Purpose MB Flashing Cement should only be used when ambient and substrate temperatures are greater than 40 °F (4 °C) and rising.
- Firestone AC Fast FR PMMA should be stored between 65 °F to 70 °F (18 °C to 21 °C) in a controlled environment to facilitate mixing and fleece saturation. DO NOT store materials outside in cold weather as the cooled materials will be difficult to mix and apply due to their thick consistency.
- Do not attempt to mix or apply unless ambient and substrate temperatures are at least 35 °F (2 °C) and rising, and materials have been properly stored until just prior to use. The required quantity of AC Catalyst Powder and cure times are dependent upon the ambient temperature. Follow mixing instructions closely.
- Enverge™ Air and Vapor Barrier SA (40 mil) and SA-Solvent Based (SB) Primer have a minimum installation temperature of 14 °F (-10 °C). The minimum installation temperature for Enverge Air and Vapor Barrier SA (25 mil) is 50 °F (10 °C).
- V-Force™ Vapor Barrier Membrane may be applied at ambient temperatures as low as 25 °F (-4 °C) provided the V-Force has been stored between 50 °F to 100 °F (10 °C to 38 °C) prior to application. Refer to the TIS for the intended primer’s application instructions and limitations, if applicable.
- Underlayments should be stored out of the weather in a clean, dry area in original, unopened packaging.
- CLAD-GARD™ R has a minimum application temperature of 40 °F (4 °C) at the time of application.
- CLAD-GARD SA has a minimum application temperature of 40 °F (4 °C) or 50 °F (10 °C) at the time of application, depending on region (north or south).
- CLAD-GARD SA-FR has a minimum application temperature of 40 °F (4 °C) at the time of application. However, when CLAD-GARD SA-FR will be installed under 50 °F (10 °C), Firestone recommends using SA-Water Based Primer (WB) or SA-Solvent Based (SB) Primer.
ROOFING MEMBRANES AND FLASHINGS
Membrane Preparation:
ULTRAPLY™ TPO and FIRESTONE PVC INSTALLATION
o At daily start-up
o When ambient conditions change
o When welding stops for a significant period of time (e.g., lunch breaks)
FIRESTONE JET BOND SPRAY ADHESIVE
FULLFORCE™ EPDM and ULTRAPLY TPO SA INSTALLATION
INVISIWELD™ SYSTEM APPLICATIONS (ULTRAPLY TPO / FIRESTONE PVC)
RUBBERGARD™ EPDM FLASHING INSTALLATION
SBS, APP and BUR Installation:
o Cold substrates can rapidly cool mopped asphalt. Asphalt cools and thickens more quickly at low temperatures, which may cause application rates to be less uniform.
o All handling equipment should be insulated to minimize drops in asphalt temperature prior to application.
o Asphalt temperature shall be within the published equiviscous temperature (EVT) but not less than 420 °F (216 °C, and must be maintained at the point of application of the roofing membrane).
o Mop lead should be no more than five (5) feet (1.5 meters) from the roll.
o Roll cap sheets into hot asphalt using positive pressure, ensuring proper side and end lap width.
o Stop the operation and/or change to another container when asphalt temperature at the point of application cannot be maintained within the published EVT.
o Never overheat asphalt to compensate for cold weather conditions and never heat asphalt above its EVT or its flash point. Always remain within the asphalt manufacturer’s approved application range, but never below 420 °F (216 °C).
o Always follow OSHA and NRCA safety regulations.
MULTI-PURPOSE MB COLD ADHESIVE and FLASHING CEMENT
AC FAST FR PMMA LIQUID-APPLIED FLASHING
BARRIERS AND UNDERLAYMENTS
Air and Vapor Barriers:
Underlayments:
For further information or assistance, please contact Firestone Technical Services at 800-428-4511.
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