Posted in Product Installation Print

Application, Storage, & Handling

Safety Precautions

Improper unloading and handling of bundles and crates may cause bodily injury or material damage. Use extreme care in the operation of power lifting devices such as cranes and forklifts and follow the safety instruction provided by their manufacture. Creates, boxes, and bundles may be bulky, heavy, or both. The improper or unaided lifting of them may cause bodily injury. Quality Metal Roof Manufacture & Sales Inc. (Quality Metal Roofing) is not responsible for bodily injuries or material damage due to improper handling during unloading, storage, or job site placement.

Protective heady duty gloves should be warn when handling metal panels and trim products. Safety goggles or face shield should be warn while cutting or drilling metal products with power tools. Follow the safety instruction provided by the manufacturer of the power tools.

Use extreme care when walking, sitting, standing, or kneeling on a metal roof to avoid a fall. Galvalume and galvanized panels have a light oil coating to protect the panels from moisture prior to erection. They can be extremely slippery, as are painted panels, when wet. If necessary, remove the oil coating with a non-abrasive detergent and water mixture followed by a clear water rinse. Insure the panels are dry prior to installation.

When nails are used to fasten the panels, goggles should be warn to prevent possible eye injuries. Off center strikes by the hammer may cause nails to ricochet or metal fragments to become dislodged, striking the user or those nearby. Insure adequate safety measures and warnings are in place and are followed.

Storage and Handling

To preserve and protect the attractive appearance of Quality Metal Roofing’s roofing and siding from damage caused by moisture, corrosive chemicals, or improper handling, it is necessary that you take a few simple precautions. When material is received, bundled panels should be inspected for moisture, the panels should be separated and dried. If shipping damage is found, the carrier should be advised and a notion made on the bill of lading.

On job sites, reasonable care should be taken when handling painted surfaces during installation I order to protect the finish. Although the paint coating is tough and provides impact resistance, dragging panels across the surface of one another will almost certainly mar the finish.

Prolonged storage of sheets in bundles is not recommended. If condition do not permit immediate erection, extra care must be taken to protect the material from damage caused by moisture.

Store bundled sheets ONLY IN A DRY PLACE. Sheets should be unbundled, stood on the end against an interior wall to allow for air circulation. If unable to store sheets in an upright position, strapping bands should be broken and sheets should be blocked off the floor with on end slightly elevated. Stacked sheets should then be completely protected from the elements while maintaining good airflow to prevent condensation. A Properly draped canvas tarpaulin, that allows airflow, is an example of a good protective cover. Do not use plastic as it causes sweating or condensation to occur.

Building Design and Construction

It is important to protect metal panels from potentially corrosive situations and materials. This will insure the good performance and long life of the metal. If installing metal panels over green lumber, damp lumber, or treated lumber (CCA or AQC), a barrier must be installed to separate the wood from the metal. A barrier may be formed with plastic, builders felt, or other suitable material. Avoid contact with, or water runoff from, dissimilar metals under the roof panels such as copper, lead, or graphite. Dissimilar metals under the roof panels may be separated with asphalt, builders felts, caulking compounds, or gasket material.

Metal panels must further be protected from contact with strong chemicals such as fertilizers, lime acids, animal waste, and soil. All of these have the potential to initiate corrosion in metal panels. Metal panels should not be in permanent contact with soil.

Temperature variations (dew point) between the outside air and the interior building air mass can cause condensation to occur on the inside of the building on the panels’ surfaces. Proper venting and air flow consideration and the use of a vapor barrier such as vinyl backed insulation can eliminate this problem. If left unattended, condensation can cause the premature degradation of the metal and void any applicable warranties. The substructure, on which the panels are to be installed, must be “on plane” (1/4-inch tolerance) from eave to edge. Maximum recommended panel length is 36 feet; minimum panel length is 3 feet.

Ventilation

Sufficient air movement should be provided by means of a ridge or rotary vent, power operated fans, or other openings to minimize condensation. Contact the equipment manufacture for specific information or a qualified mechanical engineer.

Roofing Installation

Check substructure for proper alignment and uniformity to avoid distortion. Quality Metal Roofing recommends the use of 5/8-inch plywood for the substructure. For UL 90 Uplift Rating 5/8-inch plywood substructure is MANDATORY.

The MINIMUM ROOF SLOPE recommended is THREE INCHES OR RISE PER FOOT. This ensures that sufficient slope is present for adequate drainage. Quality sealant tape should be applied at all sidelaps and endlaps to provide maximum weather protection. The panels must be installed over a completely water-proofed substructure. This is typically accomplished by the application of: one layer felt or synthetic underlayment. 

It is important to remember that in the installation of roof sheets, the sidelaps should face away from the direction of prevailing wind. The first sheet should be installed square with the eave and at the downwind end of the roof, farthest from the direction of the wind.

The recommended industry standard endlap based on the roof slope is: nine inches of lap for roofs with less than four inches of rise, six inches of lap of roofs with four to six inches or rise.

To provide a drip edge at the eave, a minimum of two inches of overhang is recommended.

For the proper application of nails and screws, refer to Quality Metal Roofing’s Installation Instructions. Remember to sweep the roof clean of any metal filings created from fasteners placement to prevent rust marks on the surface of the painted panels.

Closure and Sealants

To thoroughly protect the contents of any structure from moisture, regardless of building size or roof slope, closure strips should be used at the roof ridge and eave. For maximum protection, all caulking used should be urethane. Silicone caulks are not recommended for painted panels and trims.

Cutting Metal Panels

A portable profile shear is especially recommended for across-the-profile-cutting of metal panels. Quality Metal Roofing also recommends the use of power shears, nibblers, or hand snips that can follow the contour of the panel’s profile. While not recommended, if a power saw if used, it is imperative that the panel be turned reverse side up in order that the hot filings do not contact the painted surface of the panel. Such metal particles could become imbedded and cause rust marks on the panel surface. Follow the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer when using any tools.

Panels should be thoroughly brushed after cutting to remove any particles of metal. Caution should be taken to prevent filings resulting from cutting from settling onto other panels.

Never cut the exposed end with a metal or abrasive saw. This will melt the Galvalume coating, causing premature rusting at the cut ridge.

Failure to comply with these precautions relieves Quality Metal Roofing of responsibility of any resultant damage to, or applicable warranties. Except as outlined in our published limited warranties, Quality Metal Roofing makes no warranty, express or implied, limited or other-wise, as to the merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, with respect to the product sold.