KAMI Metal Roofing Products: Safe, Cost Effective Solution to Renovating Asbestos Roofs
16 September 2008
KAMI, a leading manufacturer of metal roof products, offer an approved solution to old asbestos roofing materials.
Although the use of asbestos in construction is heavily restricted, if not banned in most western countries, many older buildings built with asbestos materials can still be found. Due to the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos, law often requires that the renovation of asbestos roofs be done in a specific way, and that the disposal of these materials be handled as hazardous waste. This can heavily increase the costs of renovation projects where asbestos is involved, and the health risk to workers is also a consideration.
Fortunately, KAMI offers a solution to the problems associated with renovation projects involving asbestos roofing materials. Metal roofing systems from KAMI eliminate the health risk to workers handling asbestos materials and cost many times less than the price of removing an asbestos roof, and replacing it with a traditional concrete or clay tile roof.
A steel solution
When 7,600m² of roofs covering a seven-building apartment complex near Copenhagen, Denmark were recently replaced, one major issue was how to handle the old asbestos roofs. With the tedious, expensive task of removing the asbestos-cement sheets being an important consideration, contractors searched for an alternative solution to removing the roofs. They found KAMI.
KAMI metal roof systems are flexible enough to be assembled over existing roof structures, so the prospect of an expensive, hazardous asbestos removal was no longer an issue for the renovation project. The KAMI roof systems were installed directly on top of the asbestos-cement sheets already covering the roofs – a method approved by Danish authorities. This meant that workers were not exposed to any health risks as the asbestos materials were not disturbed, only sealed away under the KAMI roof systems.
For this project, the KAMI PLEGEL roof was chosen, consisting of 0.5mm thick roof sheets, made of high quality Scandinavian steel and formed to give the appearance of a traditional tile roof. This, together with polyester coating and enough durability to hold the weight of a man, ensure that the apartment buildings will be covered by dependable, attractive roofs for many years to come.
Scandinavian steel roofs
In Scandinavia, the birthplace of KAMI, approximately half of the buildings have metal roofs. For this reason, the KAMI offering differs from conventional metal roof products. KAMI metal sheets are formed to look like traditional clay or concrete roof tiles. Available in a variety of lengths, KAMI products are made of high quality galvanised steel with a double coating of polyester to avoid micro cracking. Their thickness, ranging from 0.5mm to 0.9mm, means KAMI metal roof sheets are lightweight, yet durable enough to withstand the weight of a man. These features reduce roof construction time to only a fraction of the time needed to construct traditional roofs, which maximises cost effectiveness.
KAMI products are suitable for any climate as they are resistant to temperatures ranging from -40ºC to 120ºC. The KAMI product range can also accommodate roofs with pitches ranging from 10º to 90º, so almost any project is possible, whether commercial, residential or governmental, new build or renovation. With five product lines of metal roof sheets in two profiles and up to seven colours, the KAMI product portfolio also includes the most important components needed for a roof. From roll sealant to overhanging eaves and all the necessary fastening components, each piece is designed to work with the next, allowing the possibility to create complete roof systems.
