Get to know about boots and pipe penetrations in flat roof systems

In past articles, we have talked about the reasoning behind the requirements for low slope roof boots or sleeves and associated proper flashing at pipe or duct penetrations through rooftop membranes.

You can go back and look at some of those past articles with the following links. 

• SHINGLE ROOF BOOTS ON FLAT ROOFS
• Residential Roof Penetrations Cannot Be Used On Commercial Roofs – Part I
• Residential Roof Penetrations Cannot Be Used On Commercial Roofs – Part II

Today, we’re going to look at an assortment of different types of membranes, each with a different respective type of flashing to seal and prevent leakage at each area of penetration.

An outline of today’s article follows:

• What is a roof penetration

• Why flashing is required at penetations?
• Best practices in installation of flashings

What is a roof penetration

The Building Code refers to pipes, ductwork, wiring, cabling or any type of element that pierces through a membrane has a ‘penetration’. Essentially, the Building Code looks at building assemblies like roof membranes, rooftop decks or floor decks, or walls or ceilings as elements which can encapsulate spaces. There are ratings and requirements for associated penetrations in each respective type of penetration which are required to be sealed or treated when going through different types of materials. Each of these building assemblies, when encapsulating a space, has different requirements. Some of those requirements may be related to thermal attenuation or insulation, and / or fire resistance outside of the building code, spaces can have requirements that focus specifically on sound attenuation and/or ratings required to stop the transmission of electric interference.

When anything, such as a pipe or one of these other elements pierces through, or installed through a hole cut in an assembly, that’s considered a penetration.

At the base of this duct, they have installed a slopped on goop mess of caulking and even went as far as covering a portion of that caulking with an adhered ceramic granule.  The ceramic granule is a sign of quality, but in this case the installation, overall, is far from correct. Actual membrane material, as a flashing is missing, but required to span the planar joint at the connection between the duct and the low-slope membrane. 

In our next installment, part II of this article will look at additional types of installation where pipes pass through rooftop low-slope rooftop membranes.

Maintaining a Flat Roof System

Smart proactive replacement, construction, upkeep and maintenance of low slope roof and mansard roof systems requires an enthusiastic interest and understanding of historical methodologies, waterproofing principles, and building science.   Here in Washington DC, historic and modern residential and commercial buildings are extremely expensive and the roof and related systems provide the shield that preserves the building. 

We encourage all of our clients, and all readers of this article and to our blog in general, to prioritize the value of quality construction and building maintenance, and develop a relationship with our company.  You can learn a lot more on our blog.  Feel free to check it out.  If you have questions about the roof and related systems of your building in Washington DC, contact us or fill out the webform below and drop us a line.  We will be in touch if we can help.