Clear scope. Clean execution.
Post-Fire Roof Assessment - What We Look For
Membrane condition: TPO and EPDM membranes in or near the fire zone show heat distortion, surface melting, shrinkage, and, at the fire origin, burn-through. We map the extent of visible membrane damage and the boundary between heat-distorted membrane and intact membrane. Heat-distorted membrane that has not burned through may appear intact visually but has lost its seam integrity and dimensional stability - it needs to be replaced, not retained.
Insulation integrity: Polyiso insulation chars on the exposed face under fire conditions and loses its compressive strength. Charred insulation cannot support the fastener pullout loads required for the new membrane attachment. We probe insulation compressive strength at the damage boundary and pull cores to determine the depth of thermal degradation.
Deck condition: Metal deck loses temper - its heat-treated structural strength - at sustained temperatures above approximately 700°F. Temper loss is not visually obvious; the deck appears intact but has reduced load capacity. When fire conditions were severe enough to compromise temper we require a structural engineer's deck assessment before we load the deck with workers and materials.
Smoke and heat damage beyond the burn zone: Smoke deposits on membrane surfaces adjacent to the fire zone affect membrane adhesion for subsequent repairs and coatings. We document the smoke deposit zone and specify surface preparation requirements for the repair integration boundary.
Fire Damage Repair Scope
Debris removal and documentation: Fire debris on the roof surface is removed and documented before repair work begins. We photograph the deck condition, insulation condition, and membrane condition before any material is cleared from the fire zone. This documentation preserves the pre-repair evidence for the insurance claim.
Deck repair or replacement: Thermally degraded metal deck sections are replaced by a structural steel subcontractor under the structural engineer's oversight. We coordinate the deck replacement schedule with our membrane installation sequence so the new deck sections are immediately covered after installation.
Insulation and membrane replacement: New insulation is installed at the repair zone and integrated with the surrounding existing insulation. New membrane is heat-welded to the existing membrane at the repair boundary with probe-tested seams. We specify the same membrane type and thickness as the existing system where the manufacturer's warranty can be extended across the repair - or we document the system change and the warranty implications where it cannot.
Penetration and equipment coordination: Fire events frequently damage rooftop equipment - HVAC units, electrical conduit, vents - in or near the fire zone. We coordinate the rooftop equipment restoration with the building's mechanical and electrical contractors so that our membrane repair is not compromised by subsequent penetration work.
Frequently asked questions
Can you start roof repairs immediately after a fire?
Not until the fire marshal has released the scene and a structural engineer has confirmed the roof deck is safe to load. We can mobilize to the site immediately after scene release to begin the documentation inspection, but repair work does not start until we have the structural clearance. This is a non-negotiable safety and liability requirement - not a delay tactic.
How does fire damage interact with the existing manufacturer warranty?
A fire event typically voids the manufacturer warranty on the affected sections of the roof. The repair scope either creates a new warranty section on the repaired area under the current manufacturer's warranty program, or - if the fire affected too large a zone - the scope may be a partial replacement that extends the existing warranty across the repaired sections. We document the warranty implications in the repair scope so the building owner understands what they are buying.
Do you work directly with the building's insurance adjuster during a fire damage repair?
We work with the building owner's authorized representatives - which may include the adjuster on a cooperative basis. We do not represent the insured in coverage negotiations. We produce the documentation - the pre-repair inspection report, the scope with quantities, and the post-repair closeout photographs - and the adjuster evaluates the scope against the policy. We answer adjuster questions about our scope methodology and will conduct a joint site visit if needed.
Fire damage to a San Antonio commercial roof?
We coordinate the structural assessment, scope the roofing repair, and document what the fire did in a format your adjuster can work from.
Request a Roof Scope