Top quality epdm rubber roofing material from the most trusted name in the flat roofs industry, Mule-Hide Products.

EPDM Rubber Roofing Info Center.

Design & Use Of EPDM Rubber Roofing Systems
EPDM Roofing Systems may be selected for many commercial and industrial roofing applications. The choice of system is left up to the specifier, however, there are certain guidelines that should be followed in order to assure that the system chosen is appropriate. The following list of systems and their applicability is meant to be a guide in the proper system selection. Download Mule-Hide's EPDM Guide

Ballasted Systems are meant to be used where the slope of the deck will not exceed a 2:12 pitch. They may be installed up to a height of 60 ft. in FM Zones 1 or 2. See FM Loss Prevention Data Sheet 1-28. CAUTION! The specifier, designer and/or architect must ensure that the deck is capable of withstanding the weight of this system.
Fully Adhered Systems are not limited by slope. They may be installed up to a height of 100 ft. in FM Zones 1 or 2. See FM Loss Prevention Data Sheet 1-28. A minimum fastener pullout of 360 lbs. is required.
Mechanically Attached Systems are limited to decks where the slope will not exceed 18:12 pitch. They may be installed up to a height of 60 ft. in FM Zones 1 or 2. See FM Loss Prevention Data Sheet 1-28. A minimum fastener pullout of 360 lbs. is required.

Roof Deck/Substrate Criteria
Providing a suitable surface to receive the EPDM Roofing Systems is the responsibility of the General Contractor or building owner. Prior to installation of the Roofing System the Roofing Contractor must accept the surface.
DO NOT proceed with the roofing if there is any doubt as to the acceptability of the substrate and contact the manufacturer's Technical Department for recommendations. Local building code requirements need to be reviewed for every project to see if thermal barriers are necessary.

Building or Structure Substrate Type	EPDM Ballasted Rubber Roof System	EPDM Fully Adhered Rubber Roof System	EPDM Mechanically Attached Rubber Roof System
Steel (Min. 22 Ga.)	Insulation Required	Insulation Required	Insulation Required
Structural Concrete (Min. 3000 psi)	Insulation Required	Insulation Required (7)	Insulation Required (1)
Wood Plank (3/4" Min. thickness) (2)	Insulation Required	Insulation Required	Insulation Required
Plywood (Min. 15/16"APA grade CDX) (2)	Insulation Required	Insulation Required (4)	Insulation Required
Oriented Strand board (Min. 7/16") (2)	Insulation Required	Insulation Required (3)(4)	Insulation Required
Gypsum	Insulation Required	Insulation Required	Insulation Required
Cementicious Wood Fiber	Insulation Required	Insulation Required	Insulation Required
Lightweight Concrete	Insulation Required	Insulation Required	Insulation Required
Existing Smooth Surface Built-up Roofs	Insulation Required	Insulation Required	Insulation Required
Coal Tar Pitch or Gravel Surface BUR (5)	Insulation Required	Insulation Required	Insulation Required
Sprayed-in-Place Urethane	Tear-off Required	Tear-off Required	Tear-off Required
Removed Existing Roof to Deck (6)	Insulation Required	Insulation Required	Insulation Required

TABLE NOTES:
1. A protective mat acceptable to the roofing manufacturer may be used in lieu of rigid insulation, provided that prior written approval is obtained from manufacturer's Technical Department.
2. Fire Treated material may be used, provided that it has not been treated with ammonium phosphates.
3. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) must be an APA rated OSB, non-veneer that utilizes a phenolic resin binder.
4. A .060" EPDM membrane may be adhered directly over this product provided that it is clean, smooth, dry and free of sharp edges, fins, splinters, or contaminants such as oil and grease that may damage the membrane. The decking must be properly fastened with an acceptable screw or rink shank flooring nail.
5. Loose gravel must be removed to prevent moisture entrapment.
6. Follow all laws, regulations and procedures to identify and properly remove and dispose of asbestos materials, which are to be torn off.
7. If the concrete is trowel finished and free of rough or sharp ridges, and the surface is clean, clear of all debris and contaminants that may harm the membrane or cause loss of adhesion of the EPDM Bonding Adhesive, a .060-inch thick EPDM membrane may be fully adhered directly to the poured structural concrete. New concrete must cure a minimum of 28 days. Only approved Bonding Adhesive (solvent based) may be used.

EPDM Rubber Roof System Limitations
Should any of the following conditions exist, EPDM Systems are not recommended and should not be used. The systems are not warrantable under the following conditions.

The structure is unable to support the completed roofing system and other anticipated loads identified by the owner's engineer or architect.
The roofing surface will be used for something other than normal commercial roofing conditions, such as plaza decks, waterproofing, or other non-roofing uses or activities.

To ensure that the minimum requirements are met for the Manufacturer's Warranty, EPDM Roofing Systems should not be installed without first consulting the Manufacturer's Technical Department for special consideration if any of the following conditions exist:

1. For Mechanically Attached and Ballasted Systems, the building height exceeds 60 ft.
2. For an Adhered System, the building height exceeds 100 ft.
3. Building is located within 1500 ft. of a coastline or large body of water.
4. Roof is within an area classified as Zone 3 by FM Loss Prevention Sheet 1-28.
5. Roof will be subject to discharge of chemicals or industrial contaminants.
6. Roof will be subject to positive pressure from air infiltration of the deck from canopies, overhangs, or positive interior pressure from air handlers.
7. Buildings have large openings (in excess of 10% of wall area of any side) in the wall, which could cause positive pressure to occur if they were left open to strong wind, such as aircraft hangers warehouses, loading terminals and large maintenance facilities.

For more information on EPDM Rubber Roofing Systems, Download The Complete EPDM Guide and view our EPDM Training Videos .

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