St Bernard's School demonstrates a warm roof construction utilising the Bauder Total Roof System with BauderPIR FA-TE Insulation for an extremely thermally efficient roof that lowers energy bills. The system has a life expectancy in excess of 40 years.Reinforced Bitumen Membrane RoofingToday's buildings call for waterproofing products that meet ever-growing demands for performance to increase life cycle. Our commitment to research and development for advanced waterproofing systems ensures that we create superior solutions for all our specifying customers. More than a hundred years of product research and constant use in all conditions has resulted in our portfolio of reinforced bitumen membrane roofing.We offer a complete range of SBS modified bitumen based solutions to suit every project type and budget, and manufacture all the membranes and insulation to exacting specifications and tolerances, ensuring full compatibility of components.BAUDER TOTAL ROOF SYSTEMOur top quality Bauder Total Roof Systems are based on the most advanced membranes currently available. The original BTRS uses top quality torch-applied products, while the newer technology behind BTRS DUO combines modern fast acting self-adhesive compounds with torch bonding where necessary for a safer, faster and more adaptable application. Both systems are extremely robust with a life expectancy in excess of 40 years. The Bauder Total Roof System includes two options for green roofs; each of the root resistant cap sheets is specifically designed for different situations.BAUDERFLEXThis system offers a commercial alternative to the specifier on a prudent budget whilst still delivering an excellent solution. It is a leading and trusted brand in torch-applied waterproofing with advanced and high quality membranes that has a life expectancy in excess of 30 years.AIRTECHWhen safety is of paramount importance, System Airtech is the flame-free alternative for a clean, safe and simple installation that uses a combination of the latest generation self-adhesive membranes, superior adhesives and hot air welding. The system's specific formulations give a life expectancy in excess of 30 years making it a dominant product within the marketplace.BAUDERTHERM STRIPESThis is an innovative single layer torch-applied overlay membrane that is practical, quick and cost-effective. It is designed for refurbishment projects to extend the life of existing bitumen-based roof systems by around 15 to 20 years.Technical Guide Pages 33-41 bauder.co.ukSt. Bernard's Catholic Primary SchoolEllesmere Port, CheshireFreemason's HallLondon13CADSpecification SupportCAD DRAWINGSwww.bauder.co.uk/technical-centreNBS SPECIFICATIONSwww.bauder.co.uk/technical-centreTECHNICAL HELPLINET: +44 (0)1473 257671E: technical@bauder.co.ukPROJECTS PORTFOLIOE: marketing@bauder.co.ukW: www.bauder.co.uk/media-centreBITUMEN MEMBRANEROOFING

bauder.ie14EVOLUTION OF BITUMENBitumen - An Ancient MaterialIn ancient times, surface seepages of bituminous impregnated rock in the Middle East provided an available supply of naturally occurring asphalt. The inhabitants of the area at this time obviously recognised the excellent waterproofing, adhesive and preservative properties of this material, as archaeological excavations have revealed the remains of bituminous grouting to stone structures, and roadways waterproofed using this material that date back thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians also recognised the importance of bitumen and its preservative qualities and incorporated its use within the mummification process. In some ancient mummies the strips of linen were attached using a resin and sometimes poured on to cover the entire body. Early observers believed this resin to be bitumen and this is how mummies got their name, as the Persian word for bitumen is mounia.The Romans first used the word 'bitumen' to describe various types of natural hydrocarbons. They developed techniques for its utilisation that are closely related to modern applications used today.Use of this unrefined form of natural bitumen existed for many years, but it was not until the middle of the 19th Century that mass produced waterproofing products were first introduced.The Evolution of Bitumen MembranesBitumen used in the manufacture of modern waterproofing is a by-product of refining crude oil and is the remaining residue once all other oils and fuels have been removed by the distillation process (with the exception of natural rock asphalt). Whilst the fuels have but a short useful life, bitumen is made into products that provide many decades of service.Traditional 'felts' developed during the middle of the 20th Century used matted organic fibre reinforcement layers made from a mixture of cotton, jute, wood pulp, hair and wool and later asbestos fibre. This was saturated with penetrating bitumen and coated with oxidised bitumen.Glass fibre tissue was introduced during the 1950's. This reinforcement is rot proof and better at maintaining dimensional strength, but still the oxidised bitumen coating had minimal natural elasticity to cope with structural movement and thermal stresses.Polyester was introduced as a high tensile reinforcement during the 1970's and has proved to be an essential component in built-up waterproofing construction because of its ability to accommodate high stresses without tearing.Advancement in bitumen coatings came with the addition of polymers to increase elasticity, strength, and fatigue resistance. Two types of polymer additive are used today; SBS (styrene butadiene styrene) a rubber polymer, and APP (atactic polypropylene) a plastic polymer. Bitumen modified with APP has a higher softening point, but limited low temperature flexibility and is therefore ideally suited towards use in hot climates where weathering and ageing resistance are the main criteria. SBS modified bitumen membranes have excellent low temperature flexibility as well as very good weathering and ageing resistance characteristics, making these perfectly suited to our Northern European climate with its variable temperature extremes.RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTOur tried and tested procedures for raw material selection, precise bitumen formulations and blending techniques are the result of over 150 years of development experience in bitumen product manufacture.Top of the range SBS modified membranes can boast bitumen coating elasticity of up to 1000%, with membrane tensile strengths of up to 1200N/50 mm and cold bending tolerances as low as -36°C.As one of Europe's largest manufacturers of bituminous waterproofing products, we are at the forefront of material and product development.21st Century DevelopmentsToday's bituminous membranes are technically superior in every performance aspect. Reinforcement materials have been perfected with spun-bond polyester or woven reinforced glass fibre and bitumen formulations can now include self-adhesive variants that speed and simplify the on-site installation process. Modern cap sheet layers include fire retardants within the bitumen coating to help contain or prevent spread of flame in the event of fire.