IPS Sintofoil Membrane Installation

PRELIMINARY NOTES

a)The sheets will remain unwrapped in their original packaging until the time of installation. Unroll and mechanically secure the quantity of material intended to be welded within the same day.

b) The weld area will be dry and clean.

c) Preliminary trials are required to obtain the most appropriate settings (temperature, speed and pressure) as required under the specific weather conditions.

d) After switching equipment on,allow sufficient time to warm up and reach the adequate temperature. Before switching it off, reduce temperature down to ambient.

Field tip: if thermometer is not available, use a piece of cardboard. When heated, the material turning dark brown without igniting usually indicates appropriate temperature (around 300-350°C).

3.1 FIELD MEMBRANE

The sheets are unrolled without tension, with the adequate minimum overlap and avoiding T crossing. Initial relaxation shall be ensured prior to assembly.

Welding is executed as described under 2 above, using steel plates to obtain good alignment and avoid wrinkles. The sheets are installed in a way to avoid T crossings:

Field tip: When T crossing occurs, the edge of the seam will be recessed in the middle to avoid possible capillary channels. This can be achieved using the nozzle of the hand welding equipment.

Field tip: When installing a mechanically attached system:

Avoid having the automatic machine running on the fastening plates: this will allow hot air to flow further, generating temperature decrease, hence low quality welding.
Secure fasteners and plates after welding is achieved on the opposite side.
To improve aesthetics when using ST (non reinforced) membrane, stretch the membrane (<1%) and temporary fix at both ends.

3.2 SKIRTINGS

It is recommended to have the field membrane mechanically secured at the roof perimeter and around penetrations exceeding 300mm x 300mm. The bottom of the skirting shall then be heat welded to the field membrane on 30mm min.

Field tip : Especially designed automatic equipment is available to execute welding perimeter, ex: Leister Variant Plus.

3.3. CORNERS

FPA moulded items: the total surface of the piece is welded to both field membrane and skirting.

Site fabricated items using 1 piece of membrane:the piece is totally welded to both field membrane and skirting.The vertical weld is 20mm min in any direction.

Field tip: Using a 20 mm nozzle is slower but easier to achieve this detail.

3.4. PIPE SEALS

FPA moulded items:the total flange area is welded to the field membrane Site fabricated items using 2 pieces of membrane: the flange is totally welded to the field membrane.The vertical wrap is welded to the flange on 20 mm min.

Field tip: Using a 20mm nozzle is slower but easier to achieve this detail.

3.5. DRAINS

FPA moulded items: the field membrane is welded to the flange on 40mm min from the edge.

Clamping ring type item: no weld required.Waterstop mastic under compression is applied between membrane and drain base.

Other roofdrains require mechanical termination and coverstrip adhered to the drain base. The coverstrip has a min. 40mm overlap welded to the field membrane.

3.6. CONNECTION OF NEW MEMBRANE TO WEATHERED MEMBRANE

Eliminate dirt and dust by cleaning with water and scouring powder. Rinse and wipe dry.

Clean the material thoroughly, using steel wool and "Fuseprep “ cleaner.

Rinse and wipe dry.

After cleaning, execute welding as described above, using automatic equipment whenever possible. Note: the seal may need about 2 hours to achieve maximum strength.

Field tip: Whenever possible, weld top of the new membrane to bottom of the weathered membrane.

Field tip:Make sure both membranes are dry before welding.

3.7. CONNECTION OF NEW SINTOFOIL MEMBRANE TO OTHER SYNTHETIC MEMBRANE

Install Sintofoil membrane on the other membrane, with min.50mm overlap.

Apply a bead of "Waterstop Mastic" at the overlap, and mechanically secure the Sintofoil membrane with a termination bar and appropriate fasteners, making sure that mastic is maintained under constant compression.

Install a 100 mm wide Sintofoil cover strip on centre of the bar. Weld Sintofoil to Sintofoil and adhere Sintofoil to the other synthetic membrane, using adequate adhesive (usually Flashing/Substrate Adhesive). Apply a bead of "Rubber Sealant" at the edge of the spliced area.

Field tip: This procedure can be used when cleaning “oxidised” membrane is difficult to achieve