Product at a glance
| System | Torch-applied bituminous membrane system |
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| Membrane compound | Elastoplastomeric (BPP), reinforced in glass cloth and polyester glass fabric |
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| Primer | bituprime, applied to the substrate and allowed to flash off |
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| Falls | Screed to falls of 1:80 |
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| Internal angles | Coves or fillets to be installed at all internal angles |
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| Side laps | Minimum 75 mm |
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| End laps | Minimum 100 mm |
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| Two-layer systems | Upper membrane laid with staggered side and end laps |
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| Application temperature | Handle with care below 5 °C; work stops below -2 °C |
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| Tools | Round-nosed trowel and gas torch |
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| Brand | a.b.e. Construction Chemicals |
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| Availability | Ordered per project
Ordered per project on confirmation, typically 10 – 12 working days. |
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Working days exclude weekends and Botswana public holidays, and run from order confirmation rather than from enquiry. Cross-border clearance can occasionally extend a delivery — we will tell you if it does. Tell us your programme date and we will work back from it. Lead times for a.b.e. Construction Chemicals are shown on the a.b.e. Construction Chemicals page.
Where the torch-on system is used
- Flat, sloping and pitched roofs
- Reinforced and prefabricated concrete decks
- Masonry cement, metal and timber decks and terraces
- Decks with or without thermal insulation
- Roof renovation over sound existing systems
Coverage & packaging
| Membrane | Supplied in rolls — confirm current roll size and coverage with us before ordering |
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| Laps | Allow for 75 mm side laps and 100 mm end laps in the take-off |
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| Primer | bituprime to the full area receiving membrane |
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| Capping sheet | abedex® unigum Mineral Slate where the system is left exposed |
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| Application | Round-nosed trowel and gas torch required |
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Note on quantities. Membrane quantities are taken off the roof area plus laps, upstands and detailing, not the plan area alone. Confirm roll sizes and quantities with us against the current a.b.e. data sheets before ordering.
Before you specify it
- The substrate must be clean, dry and free of dust, grease, oil and loose debris, and smooth and even — free of protrusions and voids.
- Coves or fillets must be installed at all internal angles.
- Screed to falls of 1:80 — a membrane will not correct ponding.
- bituprime must be applied and allowed to flash off before the membrane goes down.
- abedex® unigum Mineral Slate is a capping sheet, not a primary membrane. It is the upper layer of a two-layer system, never the only layer.
- Where a second layer is fitted, the upper membrane must be laid with staggered side and end laps.
- Avoid rough handling below 5 °C, and stop work below -2 °C.
- The protection coating or overlay should be determined with a.b.e. technical assistance for the specific exposure.
- Torch application is hot work. Confirm the site's fire precautions and permits before programming it.
Technical documents
Manufacturer documents, reproduced as issued. Revisions change — confirm you have the current issue with us before writing it into a specification.
What the system is made of
a.b.e. Torch-On Waterproofing System is supplied and specified as a system. These are its parts and what each one does.
a.b.e. bituprimeBituminous primer
Applied to the prepared substrate and allowed to flash off or dry before the membrane is laid. Required under both the unigum membranes and the peel & stick range.
Data sheet ↓
a.b.e. abedex® unigum Dual ReinforcedPrimary torch-on membrane
Elastoplastomeric (BPP) compound reinforced in glass cloth and polyester glass fabric, with excellent ageing resistance and dimensional stability. Fully bonded by heat fusion to the primed substrate. Available in 3 mm and 4 mm.
Data sheet ↓
a.b.e. abedex® unigum Mineral SlateCapping sheet, exposed systems
Slate granules embedded into the upper surface for an aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance finish. A capping or weather sheet for the upper layer of a two-layer system — not to be used as a primary membrane.
Data sheet ↓
a.b.e. silvakote®Optional reflective protection
Aluminium reflective coating over the cured membrane to reduce heat gain and protect it from UV. Coverage 6 – 8 m² per litre on bituminous surfaces.
Data sheet ↓
The complete system
The sequence this system is installed in.
- Substrate preparationClean, dry, even substrate; coves at internal angles; screed to falls of 1:80
- Primingbituprime applied and allowed to flash off
- Membraneabedex® unigum Dual Reinforced torched on, laps staggered where double-layered
- Cappingabedex® unigum Mineral Slate where the system is left exposed
- DetailingUpstands, outlets and penetrations per a.b.e. specification
You may also need
Further reading
Need help specifying the torch-on system?
Tell us the substrate, the area and the exposure and we will confirm whether this is the right system, what preparation it needs, and what it will cost.
