Report summary

OBJECTIVE

The testing of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) for use for sealing flat roofs, the objective of this study was to evaluate the useful life of EPDM roofing membranes.

PROCEDURE

A total of 39 EPDM sample roofing membranes from many different manufacturers already installed on roofs some for up to 30 years, they were checked for their current state and then were further aged in the laboratory, the purpose to evaluate the useful life of each sample.

RESULTS

None of the samples taken from the roofs showed any signs of material damage. All the EPDM membranes were still fully performing their task of sealing flat roofs.

Elongation break tests were carried out on the already aged roof material to give the best indication of the influence of weathering, it was found the minimum requirement of the material standard DIN7864-1 for new product, amounting to 250% elongation at break, was still met.

CONCLUSION

From the study the useful life of correctly made EPDM roofing membranes may be evaluated as over 50 years under European climate conditions. the membranes tested demonstrated that they retained excellent elongation power and were able to resist the mechanical and thermal forces due to exposure on flat roofs.

Extracts from a report written by :-

WURZBURG 23 MARCH 2004

MLA Expo 08 takes place between Friday 30^th May and the 1^st June at the International Centre Telford, it is the main physical security show in the UK and has grown at a phenomenal rate in recent years, this year over 70 companies are exhibiting and it is a major part of the MLA’s Golden Jubilee. celebrations as the association enters its 50th Anniversary year

The event is being sponsored by Mul-T-Lock (UK), Dion McAllister (Mul-T-Lock (UK) Managing Director) said “We have been supporters of the MLA and their work within the Locksmith and Physical Security Industry. Mul-T-Lock (UK) has always been actively involved with the MLA and we support both national and regional events”.

Mul-T-Lock UK, also plays host to the MLA’s annual banquet on the evening of the 31st May; a dinner-dance with entertainment provided by, amongst others, soul singing stat Alexander O’Neal.

During the Event there will be training seminars to improve the skills of locksmiths, this is in keeping with the associations drive to continuously improve the skills within the Industry. Topics as diverse as electronic access control and door and window repair techniques will be covered, the full timetable of these seminars, which are free to Expo attendees, is available from their Web site.