Single Ply Thermoplastic Roofing membrane - Know more ... Know how!

1. Straight Talk About Thermoplastic Single-Ply Roof Membrane
Introduction
Unbiased Rating System
Formulation
Reinforcement
Polymer Thickness
Method of Production
Fire Resistance
Colors
Summary of Benefits

2. “ T h e T r u t h” Sarnafil Membranes Rated #1 & #2
Graph 3
Product Rating
Average Rating Points Achieved
80
70
60
50
SARNAFIL
G410 PVC
SARNAFIL
S327 PVC
PVC V
PVC M
PVC M2
PVC F
TPO C
PVC B
PVC G
PVC D
TPO F
PVC S
TPO E
TPO G
TPO J
Source: Comparative Testing and Rating of Fifteen Thermoplastic Single-Ply Roof Membranes By C.G. Cash
Carl Cash is a principal and vice president at Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger, Inc. - a consulting engineering firm with offices in Arlington, MA and San Francisco, CA.
Sarnafil PVC Is Best
In 1999, an in-depth analysis compared the
physical properties and performance The SGH analysis and findings were presented at the 1999 International Symposium for Durability
capabilities of most commercially available of Building Materials sponsored by the Canadian National Research Council. This research was
thermoplastic roofing products, including also published in the October, 1999 and May, 2000 issues of RCI Interface, the journal of the Roof
fifteen PVC and TPO thermoplastic Consultants Institute.
membranes. The testing and performance
rating was conducted by the consulting At the conclusion of his extensive analysis on the performance properties of thermoplastic
engineers at Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger, membranes, Carl G. Cash made the following observations:
Inc. (SGH). Their analysis identifies specific
testing methodologies and comparative • "Most PVC membrane samples rate significantly higher than their TPO counterparts."
performance results.
• "For example, the top-rated six samples are all PVC’s. Four of the six lowest rated
samples are TPO’s."
The SGH analysis is referenced on the
following pages. For comparative purposes, • "All of the five TPO samples have an average rating at or below the average for this group of
Sarnafil membranes have been specifically fifteen samples."
labeled.
• "This suggests that the best choice for a durable membrane is PVC when PVC and TPO
membranes are considered.”
SGH test results confirmed that the
performance rating of Sarnafil roofing
• "The only rational procedure for selecting a roofing system is its past performance on the roof in
membranes was superior to the other
the same climate as the new project.”
commercially available heat-welded
products.
• “When faced with selecting a membrane system without the support of a history of excellent
performance, an unbiased rating system may be useful." (Graph 3)

3. Graph 1
Thermoplastic Experience
35
30
25
Years of Experience
20
15
10
5
0
SARNAFIL
PVC D
PVC G
PVC M
PVC F
PVC B
PVC S
TPO F
TPO C
TPO J
TPO G
Years Private Label
Source: 1999 NRCA Commercial Low Slope
Roofing Material Guide
Note: TPO F not listed in NRCA Roofing Materials Guide
Straight Talk About Thermoplastic Membrane
If you’re a roofing consumer or a design Heat-welded thermoplastic roofing Beware of unproven products and
professional, you need to select properly membranes are the fastest-growing inexperienced suppliers! Sarnafil roofing
formulated, long-lasting, heat-welded segment of the low-slope and waterproofing systems have proven
thermoplastic roofing systems. To do that, industrial/commercial roofing market. Most themselves over decades—Demonstrating
you need information. Straight talk. The membranes of this type marketed in the watertight performance capability 35 years
truth! United States are formulated with either PVC after installation. Our heat-welded roofing
(polyvinyl chloride) or TPO (thermoplastic membranes have the longest performance
And the truth is what you’ll get from Sarnafil. polyolefin). history of all thermoplastic membranes. In
We’re the world’s leading producer of heat- this report, we’ll differentiate among various
welded roofing materials, offering unique Don’t Be Fooled! roofing membranes according to specific
experience in thermoplastic membrane performance characteristics.
technology. In this report, we’ll focus on the • Over the past several years, many TPO
features, benefits, and engineering and roofing products produced in this country
performance requirements critical to long- have been evolving in formulation and Graph 2
lasting roofing systems. We’ll present real- ingredients. These membranes should be Percent Growth
world performance criteria for heat-welded regarded as experimental, since there’s no of Square Feet Sold
roofing material specifications. Our goal is to long-term performance data to forecast their
20
illuminate material properties, raise life expectancy.
15
performance standards, and ultimately
10
promote superior quality among all • Many EPDM and built-up roof
thermoplastic roof materials. manufacturing companies are entering the % 5
heat-welded roofing business despite having 0
little or no firsthand experience with -5
thermoplastic membrane technology. As a -10
Thermoplastic Thermoset SBS Mod. Bit.
result, experience levels vary considerably Membrane
among suppliers (Graph 1). Source: November 2000 SPRI Statistics

4. The Facts About Membrane Formulation
Earlier, we urged caution when considering Vinyl polymeric roofing membranes are Thumbs Up for Sarnafil
products that continually “evolve.” Frequent typically formulated with a combination of
formulation changes often indicate that the PVC resins, stabilizers, plasticizers, fire Sarnafil recently conducted a survey of
manufacturer is searching for the right mix retardants, and pigments. Sarnafil blends owners of the oldest Sarnafil roofs in the
of components. When evaluating roofing these components to produce consistently U.S.
membranes for a specification, insist that high-quality roofing products that stand
the manufacturers tell you how long their alone in providing customer satisfaction and Survey Results:
current membrane formulation has been in protection.
use. Specify proven performance and • The main reasons for choosing a
require a consistent material formulation. Almost 40 years ago, the polymer chemists Sarnafil roof: performance history and
Remember, the formulation of a roofing at Sarnafil engineered what are now life-cycle cost.
membrane is the foundation for its long-term recognized as the longest-performing
performance and durability. thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing • 93.3% of respondents said they were
membranes in the world. The basic very satisfied with their Sarnafil roofs
formulation that has protected buildings for (now 15-25 years old).
all these years is still used today.
• 83.3% of respondents said they would
recommend Sarnafil to another
building owner.
• Building owners confirmed that Sarnafil
has one of the lowest annual maintenance
costs in the roofing industry.
Biel Swimming Pool, Biel Switzerland
1964 Installation - Roof Performed for 34 Years

5. “T h e T r u t h” Sarnafil Performs under UV Exposure
Table 1
QUV Exposures of PVC Membrane
Specimen 2000 Hours 4000 Hours 5000 Hours
Legend
A D3 D3 C4
C1 Cracking/crazing severe (7x magnification)
B - - C4
C2 Cracking/crazing moderate (7x magnification)
C - - C4
C3 Cracking/crazing slight (7x magnification)
D C4 D3 C4 C4
C4 Cracking/crazing very slight (7x magnification)
E C4 C4 C4
D1 Discoloring severe
F - C4 C4
D2 Discoloring moderate
G - C4 C4
D3 Discoloring slight
S327 - - -
• Sarnafil membranes exhibited no crazing,
G410 - - -
cracking or discoloration
J C4 D3 C4 C4
K C3 D3 C2 D2 C3 D2
L C4 D3 C3 D3 C4
ASTM Round-Robin Testing
Long-Term Performance: Formulation Is the Key
The formulation of a thermoplastic roofing In the early 1990’s, while re-evaluating the hours of QUV "B" bulb exposure. This
membrane directly affects the material’s ASTM standard for PVC roofing, the test predicts that various thermoplastic
long-term performance. The durability and subcommittee on thermoplastic membranes membrane formulations will behave
historical performance of thermoplastic conducted round-robin testing of twelve PVC differently under ultraviolet exposure.
membranes depend on the ingredients in roofing membranes. This was done to Not surprisingly, weathering performance
these weatherproofing materials. determine the specific type of UV bulb that characteristics also reveal a wide range
Independent evaluations have repeatedly should be utilized when analyzing the of capabilities.
confirmed the soundness of Sarnafil’s performance of roofing membranes under
advanced engineering and membrane simulated, accelerated weathering Long-term exposure to natural UV radiation
formulation. conditions (QUV). has also proven Sarnafil to be extremely
durable and reliable.
Table 1 (above) documents the results of this
analysis. Of the thermoplastic PVC materials,
only Sarnafil's S327 and G410 roofing
membranes showed no signs of
discoloration, crazing, or cracking after 5,000
Charrette Corporation, Woburn, MA
1975 Installation - Roof Still Performing

6. Table 2
Observations Upon UV-Condensing Humidity Exposure - Changes
Product: SARNAFIL SARNAFIL PVC V PVC M PVC M2 PVC F TPO C PVC B PVC G TPO E PVC D TPO F PVC S TPO G TPO J
G410 S327
Exposure NT NT
Hours
1,000 GL GL SLYE YE YE SLYE SLYE YE YE SLYE GL SLYE YE
2,000 SC C SLC SLYE
3,000 GL C SC
4,000 ST ST
5,000 ST SLST SLC
6,000 SLST SLST SLST P
7,000 SLST
8,000 SH ST P B
9,000 SH SH
10,000 SC
LEGEND: B = BROWN EDGES P = PINKING SL = SLIGHT NT = NOT TESTED
C = CHALKING SC = SCRIM PRONOUNCED ST = STIFFER
GL = GLOSS LOSS SH = SHRINKAGE YE = YELLOWING
Source: Comparative Testing and Rating of Fifteen Thermoplastic Single-Ply Roof Membranes By C.G. Cash
Test Proves Sarnafil Resists Property Changes
It has been almost a decade since ASTM Upon UV exposure, the Sarnafil membranes Table 2 (above) illustrates that most other
first conducted their round-robin, exhibit no signs of physical property changes PVC and TPO membranes exhibit some
accelerated weathering test under QUV “B” until 6,000 or 7,000 hours. The gloss loss (GL) yellowing, chalking, scrim pronouncing, or
bulb exposure. The findings of SGH’s recently reported is believed to be in the acrylic stiffening before 5,000 hours of exposure.
completed thermoplastic membrane analysis coating, not the polymer. All other PVC V and PVC G products exhibited
concur with ASTM’s earlier research. Data membranes tested displayed some yellowing, stiffening at 4,000 hours and would not pass
from the SGH study helps to specifically which is a sign of polymer degradation. The the ASTM D4434 minimum standard for PVC
identify and highlight certain performance Sarnafil membranes did not yellow even after roofing membranes.
variations that exist between competing 10,000 hours—an important consideration for
products that would otherwise be less determining the long-term reflectivity of a The Bottom Line:
apparent. roof membrane. Reflective roof membranes When subjected to accelerated weathering,
help alleviate urban heat islands, improve air Sarnafil’s basic and time-tested formulation
quality, and reduce cooling costs. continues to demonstrate superior results.

7. “T h e T r u t h” Superior Resistance to Water Absorption
Graph 4
Water Absorption
ASTM D-570
20
15
% Weight Gain
10
5
0
SARNAFIL G410
SARNAFIL S327
PVC V
PVC M
PVC M2
PVC F
TPO C
PVC B
PVC G
PVC D
TPO F
PVC S
TPO E
TPO G
TPO J
Source: Comparative Testing and Rating of Fifteen Thermoplastic Single-Ply Roof Membranes By C.G. Cash
Watch Out for Water Absorption
Another defining performance property of a Excessive water absorption, common in As you can see from Graph 4 (above), the
thermoplastic roofing membrane is water certain thermoplastic membranes, is caused combination of Sarnafil's formulation and
resistance. Long-term performance can be by absorptive internal plasticizer mixes, production method deliver superior
diminished when a membrane tends to and/or a laminated membrane construction. resistance to water absorption. Although
absorb rather than repel water. Water Certain polymeric plasticizer-based every roof should promote drainage, Sarnafil
absorption can impede heat welding and membranes and several laminated roof membranes resist the absorption of standing
routine repairs, and prevent future membranes display the greatest increase in water. Unlike several alternative systems,
modifications for rooftop equipment. weight after water immersion—an obvious including other single-plies, the occurrence
sign that the roofing membrane has of standing water does not affect the
absorbed some water. Be skeptical about coverage of a Sarnafil warranty.
roofing products that tend to absorb the
elements they’re supposed to repel!

8. Reinforcement
Figure 1 Figure 2
Polyester and Fiberglass Reinforcements A Close Weave Reinforcement Can Prevent Polymer Bonding -
Allowing for Potential Water-Wicking and Membrane Delamination
Reinforcing the Truth About Reinforcement
The function of reinforcement within a The type of reinforcement utilized within a Mechanically fastened roofing systems are
roofing material has been both particular membrane was chosen to provide intermittently affixed to a building’s structure.
misrepresented and misunderstood. the specific physical properties needed to The three-dimensional forces endured by a
Reinforcement provides long-term meet the design requirements of different membrane at the point of mechanical
dimensional stability to all roofing roof system applications. attachment requires strength and resistance
membranes. Built-up roofing and single-ply to oscillating stress. In light of this, scrim
membranes require some type of The enhanced dimensional stability of a reinforcement is desirable for its enhanced
reinforcement to control expansion and thermoplastic membrane is an important tensile and tear strength. Sarnafil's S327
contraction. design parameter for adhered and ballasted membrane, designed for use in mechanically
systems. Sarnafil’s G membranes are fastened roof applications, is reinforced with
Two types of reinforcement (see Figure 1) fiberglass-reinforced to deliver long-term a woven polyester scrim.
are utilized within single-ply membranes: dimensional stability. Sarnafil G410
nonwoven fiberglass mat and woven membranes are the most dimensionally
polyester scrim. Over 35 years ago, Sarnafil stable single-ply roofing membranes in the
engineers decided to reinforce all roofing world (ASTM D 1004).
membranes manufactured by the company.

9. “ T h e T r u t h” Reinforced Monolithic Construction
Graph 5
Dye Wicking
Dye Wicking
Machine Direction
Cross Machine Direction
6
5
4
Inches
3
2
1
0
SARNAFIL G410
SARNAFIL S327
PVC V
PVC M
PVC M2
PVC F
TPO C
PVC B
PVC G
PVC D
TPO F
PVC S
TPO E
TPO G
TPO J
Source: Comparative Testing and Rating of Fifteen Thermoplastic Single-Ply Roof Membranes By C.G. Cash
Reinforcement: No Substitute for Polymer Thickness
Typically, temporary fabric structures and Designers and building owners have learned
tarpaulins are manufactured with a high- that water-wicking along the reinforcement
strength, closely woven reinforcement (see can prevent future repairs, result in a
Figure 2) that provides the base for the delaminating membrane, and lead to
application of a light polymeric coating or premature roof failure. A dye-wicking test
thin film laminates applied to either side. illustrates the ability for water to be
absorbed and travel along the reinforcement
Waterproofing polymer protects a building (Graph 5 above). The Sarnafil G410 and S327
from the intrusion of inclement weather; the membranes absorbed no dye, which is a
reinforcement does not. A strong testimony to their monolithic construction.
reinforcement is no substitute for polymer Sarnafil’s Reinforcement Becomes
thickness! By integrating a unique coating Embedded in Polymer During a Coating
manufacturing process with a proven Process
A tightly woven reinforcement can reduce material formulation and specific membrane
the area available for polymeric-coating reinforcements, Sarnafil has established a
contact adhesion, which is needed in the no-nonsense reputation for delivering roofing
spaces around and within the scrim. Scrim solutions that can withstand the world's
reinforcements that are proportionately harshest conditions.
excessive can also diminish the bonding
strength within and between laminated
layers of certain membranes. This allows
water another opportunity to intrude and
damage a roof.

10. Estimated Cost Breakdown of an Installed Thermoplastic Roof
1% Details 2.5% Accessories
21%
Insulation
41% Labor
26.5%
Membrane
5.5% Edge Detail
2.5% Warranty Fee
System Description:
22 ga. Steel Deck, 1 layer of 2.7” Sarnatherm insulation, Sarnafil Membrane Mechanically Attached,
clad metal edge with 5” fascia, 4 roof drains, 4 HVAC units, 8 stacks, 10 Year warranty.
Polymer Thickness Pays Off
Consultative guidance is an important benefit to roofing consumers. A reduction in The SGH analysis found that, on average,
component of the roof purchase transaction. polymer can be detrimental to a roofing Sarnafil membranes displayed more polymer
Roof consultants and design professionals system’s long-term capability. By not thickness than the other thermoplastic
have been omitted from the breakdown carefully considering their polymer membranes analyzed (Table 3 next page).
illustrated above only because their fees are investment, uneducated buyers often
rarely part of the actual roof contract. The consign their roofs to premature failure. Surprisingly, when the installed cost of a
graphic above is intended to highlight the high-quality thermoplastic roofing membrane
minimal relative price impact that additional In addition to thickness, raw-material grade is compared to that of a lower-cost
high-grade polymer has on the installed cost variations affect the durability and cost of a alternative, the price difference is
of a roofing system. Although not captured in roof’s membrane. The cost differential insignificant. A few pennies per square foot
the illustration, Sarnafil strongly endorses between low- and high-grade polymer can are typically all that separates Sarnafil from
knowledgeable guidance as a means to vary by 25% - 30%. The above chart shows alternative thermoplastic roofs of similar
facilitate roof design and installation. the estimated cost of an installed polymer thickness.
mechanically attached thermoplastic roof.
The polymer content of a thermoplastic The membrane—which protects the Clearly, increasing polymer thickness has
roofing membrane represents about 75 insulation, the building, and its contents— little impact on the installed cost of a roof
percent of its overall production cost. represents only 26.5% of the entire roofing system. In fact the cheapest way to increase
When making thermoplastic membranes, cost (19% if the expense of removing an old durability and other long-term performance
the manufacturer can save money by roof is an additional project requirement). properties is to demand more polymer.
reducing polymer thickness. That’s no

11. “ T h e T r u t h” Sarnafil Delivers More Protection
Table 3
Labeled vs. Measured Polymer Thickness
Labeled Measured Deviation of Deviation of
Product Thickness Thickness Polymer Thickness Polymer Thickness
of Polymer From Label From Label
(Mils) (Mils) (Mils) (%)
SARNAFIL G410 48 Mils 48 Mils - -
SARNAFIL S327 48 Mils 49 Mils + 1 Mils 2.1 % More
PVC V 50 Mils 40 Mils -10 Mils 20.0 % Less
PVC M 50 Mils 44 Mils -6 Mils 12.0 % Less
PVC M2 40 Mils 34 Mils -6 Mils 15.0 % Less
PVC F 48 Mils 43 Mils -5 Mils 10.4 % Less
TPO C 45 Mils 43 Mils -2 Mils 4.4 % Less
PVC B 50 Mils 46 Mils -4 Mils 8.0 % Less
PVC G 48 Mils 40 Mils -8 Mils 16.6 % Less
PVC D 35 Mils 28 Mils -7 Mils 20.0 % Less
TPO F 45 Mils 43 Mils -2 Mils 4.4 % Less
PVC S 36 Mils 33 Mils -3 Mils 8.3 % Less
TPO E 45 Mils 42 Mils -3 Mils 6.6 % Less
TPO G 45 Mils 46 Mils +1 Mils 2.2 % More
TPO J 45 Mils 31 Mils -14 Mils 31.1 % Less
Source: Comparative Testing and Rating of Fifteen Thermoplastic Single-Ply Roof Membranes By C.G. Cash
Insist on Certified Polymer Thickness
It’s unwise to select a roofing system without Roofing specifications should require that the
first establishing a minimum polymer consumer be provided with a certificate of
thickness. We urge you to be skeptical about polymer thickness by the manufacturer. This
roofing membranes specified to deliver an requirement will satisfy designers and
ambiguous "nominal" thickness. The nominal building owners by helping to ensure that all
thickness guidelines set forth by ASTM roofing membranes under consideration are
actually encourage misleading product providing an absolute minimum polymer
descriptions. These guidelines have allowed thickness.
the thickness of roofing products to exhibit
negative variances of 10% compared to their When several brands of roofing are listed in
advertised description! Sarnafil has a specification, the certified thickness
introduced a certified polymer thickness requirement establishes a more uniform Certified Polymer Thickness Program
program to challenge the roofing industry's basis for comparison. Sarnafil roofing and
“laissez-faire” endorsement of nominal waterproofing membranes can be
thickness nomenclature. manufactured with a thickness ranging
between 48 and 120 mils.

12. Graph 6
Thickness of Polymer Above Reinforcement
25
20
15
Mils
10
5
0
SARNAFIL S327
PVC V
PVC M
PVC M2
PVC F
TPO C
PVC B
PVC G
PVC D
TPO F
PVC S
TPO E
TPO G
TPO J
Source: Comparative Testing and Rating of Fifteen Thermoplastic Single-Ply Roof Membranes By C.G. Cash
The Polymer Barrier—First Line of Defense
Figure 3
Polymer thickness also provides:
• Superior tear resistance
• Greater tensile strength
• Enhanced durability and puncture
48 MIL SARNAFIL G410 48 MILS OF POLYMER
resistance (Table 4)
LABELED 1.2 MM
• Improved consistency of heat-welded
seams
Table 4
COMPETITIVE LAMINATED MEMBRANE 31 MILS OF POLYMER
Puncture Resistance Results
LABELED 45 MIL (1) 15 MIL FILM & (1) 16 MIL FILM
Type Thickness Height of
Falling Ball 70˚F
PVC 32 MIL 9.8”
The amount of waterproofing polymer Figure 3 identifies basic differences in PVC 45 MIL 17.7”
contained within thermoplastic roofing membrane construction and illustrates White TPO 45 MIL 15.7”
materials can vary significantly. In addition to discrepancies in polymer thickness. As Black TPO 45 MIL 14.2”
polymer grade and thickness, the Cost of shown in Table 3 (previous page), Sarnafil EPDM
Goods Manufactured is lower for companies membranes have been found to provide a Unreinforced 45 MIL 6.1”
that produce roofing membranes by polymer barrier that is often 10% greater EPDM
Reinforced 55 MIL 12.2”
laminating thin films of polymer around a than that offered by alternative thermoplastic
SARNAFIL 48 MIL 24.4”
reinforcing layer. membranes. Additional polymer above the SARNAFIL 60 MIL 36.7”
reinforcement has proven to be a more durable SARNAFIL 72 MIL 40.8”
A cross-section of the laminated membrane and protective barrier. This barrier can optimize a SARNAFIL 80 MIL 51.0”
construction (Figure 3 above) has been roof's performance because it is directly exposed SARNAFIL 96 MIL 67.3”
graphically compared to the cross-section of to extreme weather conditions (Graph 6). SARNAFIL 120 MIL 89.7”
a Sarnafil coated membrane Test SIA/14
.

13. “ T h e T r u t h” Proven Monolithic Construction
Figure 4
SPREAD COATING EXTRUSION
EXTRUSION COATING CALENDERING
Monolithic Membrane Makes the Best Roofing
Single-ply membrane can be made through The Sarnafil manufacturing processes
various manufacturing methods: spread impart a number of performance- Graph 7
coating, extrusion coating, or by laminating enhancing characteristics that are unique.
extruded or calendered films. In 1961, Linear Dimensional Change
Sarnafil developed a unique spread coating • A coating process completely embeds the ASTM D 1204
0.6
process specifically for creating roofing reinforcement and creates a monolithic
and waterproofing membrane. In 1991, membrane that can’t delaminate. A 0.5
Sarnafil introduced a new state-of-the-art monolithic membrane also inhibits water-
manufacturing process called extrusion wicking along the reinforcement, thereby 0.4
% Change
coating. The spread coat and extrusion eliminating the need for caulking of
0.3
coating processes are recognized today as exposed edges—a maintenance item for
the best methods for producing monolithic, the building owner.
0.2
reinforced, dimensionally stable roofing
membranes. • Less stress is built into the membrane 0.1
during a coating process, eliminating the
need to relax the sheet prior to seaming 0.0
SARNAFIL G410
SARNAFIL S327
PVC V
PVC M
PVC M2
PVC F
TPO C
PVC B
PVC G
PVC D
TPO F
PVC S
TPO E
TPO G
TPO J
or attaching as is commonly required with
other manufacturing methods. Sarnafil Machine Direction
Cross Machine Direction
membranes exhibited exceptional
dimensional stability (see Graph 7). Comparative Testing and Rating of Fifteen Thermoplastic
Single-Ply Roof Membranes By C.G. Cash

14. NFPA Headquarters - Quincy, MA
Central operations of the National Fire Protection Association are sheltered beneath
a UL Class-A fire rated roofing system manufactured by Sarnafil Inc.
What You Should Know About Fire Resistance
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) materials Full-scale fire testing with a specific focus on
have excellent fire performance properties. rate of heat release has been conducted on
PVC, in particular, will not burn once the a variety of fixtures and materials, including
source of heat or flame is removed. upholstered furniture, mattresses, electronic
cables, packaging systems, plastic display
Burning objects won’t spread a fire to nearby stands, and wall-lining products. In every
items unless they release enough heat to applicable case, results show that products SBS TPO Sarnafil Fire
ignite them. What’s more, the heat has to be based on properly formulated PVC materials Modified Retardent
Bitumen EPDM
released quickly enough to avoid dissipation are invariably top-rated performers.
while traveling through the cold air Vertical Fire Test
surrounding anything not on fire. That’s why The inherent fire resistance of a Sarnafil
the main criterion for identifying a fire hazard membrane is evidenced by successful PVC roofing membranes such as Sarnafil can
is widely accepted to be a material's rate of achievement and full compliance with self-extinguish and resist the spread of
heat release during combustion. In fact, rate roofing’s most significant fire safety flame. In a laboratory experiment, a flame
of heat release has been shown to be much requirements. Sarnafil membranes enjoy source was applied for ten seconds to the
more important than ease of ignition, smoke certification under the strict fire code underside of SBS modified bitumen, fire
toxicity, or flame spread, for determining standards of more than twenty countries retardant TPO, Sarnafil, and fire retardant
whether someone will have enough time to throughout the world. EPDM. When the flame source was removed,
escape a building fire. the Sarnafil membrane extinguished the fire,
while the alternative membranes continued
to support combustion.

15. “ T h e T r u t h ” Sarnafil - Tried and Tested
Sea World, Orlando, FL Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
United Center, Chicago, IL
Candler Building, New York, NY Spirit of Ford, Dearborn, MI
A Touch of Color Adds a Touch of Class
Sarnafil introduced colored membranes Factory-Applied Surface Coating: Sarnafil’s EnergySmart Roof® is a white
more than 20 years ago. Today, Sarnafil membrane that is factory-manufactured with
colored membranes are employed to accent • Helps repel dirt and airborne contaminates a unique, dirt resistant coating. This coating
the architectural design features of a from the membrane’s surface helps to simplify the maintenance of a roof’s
building. Colored membranes are also used reflectivity.
to create logos, and roofs are becoming a • Improves reflectivity, resulting in cooling
significant means of advertising. At the energy savings
same time colors were introduced, Sarnafil
also introduced a dirt resistant coating for • Eases positioning of the membrane
the exposed surface to keep the roof during installation
membrane clean.

16. Features and Benefits of Sarnafil Membrane:
Sarnafil Thermoplastic Roofing Membranes: • Available in custom colors for a smooth, We hope our straight talk has been
Summary of Benefits visually appealing finish helpful to you. For a free kit entitled
“A Practical Guide to Specifying Quality
• Proven, long-lasting formulation • Hot-air welded seams are stronger than Thermoplastic Roofing Membrane,”
tapes or adhesives contact us by telephone or register online.
• Reduced cooling costs with highly
reflective roofing membranes • Exceptional tear and puncture resistance
• Reflective roofs promote better air quality • Low maintenance (no coatings required)
• Factory-applied, dirt-resistant coating helps • Low life-cycle cost
keep membrane clean
• Reinforcements for specific applications
• Superior fire performance and physical properties
• Sarnafil’s EnergySmart Roof® meets • Various membrane thicknesses available
ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy for additional durability and puncture
efficiency resistance Sarnafil Inc.
100 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021
TEL: 1-800-576-2358
FAX: 781-828-5365
EML: webmaster@sarnafilus.com
WEB: http://www.sarnafilus.com
Products displaying the ENERGY STAR® Logo must meet the energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA.
Look for the Logo on Sarnafil’s roofing products.