Case Study: Aleppo Shriners Auditorium Re-roofing Project
Formed in 1872, the Shriners organization is best known for colorful parades, the red fez hat worn by its members, and its official philanthropy, the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Guided by the philosophy that “no one should have to walk alone”, Shriners Hospitals make up a 22-hospital pediatric healthcare system that provides high-quality, no-cost medical care to children with spinal cord injuries, orthopedic problems, burn injuries, and other health problems.
Built in 1977, the Shriners Auditorium has been home to hundreds of events, from conventions and concerts to rodeos and roller derbies. Located 15 miles north of Boston in Wilmington, Massachusetts, the auditorium serves as both a home for Shrine-related activities, as well as the site of numerous events sponsored by outside companies and organizations. Unfortunately, by 2014, the roof of this iconic fund-raising venue was in poor condition and the building was plagued by frequent leaks. The auditorium needed a high-quality roofing system that would provide long-term protection.
The Shriners Building Committee was looking for the most durable, long-lasting, low-maintenance roof available. Specialized Roofing Company, Inc. and the Beacon Rep Group put together specifications and a proposal and made a presentation to the Shriners Building Committee. After reviewing their options, the committee chose Specialized Roofing and Carlisle SynTec Systems’ 90-mil black EPDM roof system with a 30-year warranty.
Founded in 1990, Specialized Roofing has earned a reputation for top-quality installations and excellent customer service. The company has operated under the same management team for over 24 years, and most of their original crew members are still with them today. Specialized Roofing’s 25 years of experience installing Carlisle roofs gave the Shriners organization confidence that the auditorium project would be completed quickly and efficiently with exceptional workmanship.
The project came with some complications. Extensive coordination and strict scheduling was required, as the auditorium continued to host events throughout the roof replacement and had to remain open and accessible for attendees. In addition, there were 18 HVAC units and 24 interior drains on the rooftop, as well as fan curbs, vent pipes, and steel columns.
The auditorium’s existing roof consisted of a 17-year-old mechanically fastened PVC assembly atop a 30-year-old built-up system. Specialized Roofing began by removing everything down to the steel deck. Next, they installed Carlisle’s 3.5-inch-thick 25 psi HP-H fl at polyiso, which provides the highest R-value per inch of any commercial roof insulation, to keep the building warm and reduce its heating bills and energy consumption during the long Massachusetts winters.
After fastening the insulation every 2 square feet, Specialized Roofi ng’s crew fully adhered sheets of Carlisle’s 10′ x 100′ .090 black Sure-Seal EPDM with 6″ Factory-Applied Tape (FAT). FAT provides value to the contractor and the building owner by improving both the speed and quality of EPDM installations, as well as increasing the reliability and performance of the seams. Black EPDM is an excellent choice in cold, northern climates, as it can reduce heating costs, decrease safety hazards from snow and ice accumulation, and diminish the potential for condensation problems that can negatively impact the roof system’s performance.
To complete the job, the contractors installed Carlisle’s labor-saving prefabricated SecurEdge™ 3000 edge metal, providing a professional finished look. Once the roof was complete, it was inspected by a Carlisle field service representative. Specialized Roofing’s quality workmanship was apparent and the Shriners received a 30-year Total System Warranty.
Ernie Pearlstein, head of the Shriners Building Committee, stated, “From start to finish, we have been extremely pleased with the way the project progressed. Everyone worked as a team and the roof was installed quickly, with no disruption to business operations. The collaboration of the Shriners, Specialized Roofing, Carlisle, and Beacon Rep Group allowed every phase of the project to go smoothly.
Roofing Contractor: Specialized Roofing Company, Inc.
Manufacturer: Carlisle SynTe
Color of EPDM: Black
Type of EPDM: 90-mil
Type of Attachment: Fully adhered
Location of Project: Wilmington, Massachusetts
Type of Building: Auditorium
Text of the project profile is copied from original source.