case study category: FEDERAL

NASA’s mission is to “pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.” The facilities and equipment necessary to achieve this mission are critical and require ultimate protection from the elements. 

In order to explore our universe, large rockets are required to propel shuttles and satellites into space. The engines on these rockets are tested prior to use to ensure they are safe and will perform properly. At Stennis Space Center, NASA tests these rocket engines by propping them up against giant stands. After they are stood up and secured, the literal term “blast-off” is appropriate. The top-level roofs on these test stands, which also serve as observation decks for high-level guests, have been a source of problematic leaks into the sensitive rooms below.

This particular test stand roof was an excellent candidate for a liquid membrane recover, instead of a disruptive and costly tear-off that would expose the facility to the elements. The steel roof had been coated with a urethane system previously. NASA sought to avoid any toxic, flammable, or solvent-based coatings. TritoFlex 2K fit the bill. It would provide great adhesion to the existing substrate while providing an industrial-grade synthetic rubber membrane with a completely non-toxic, non-intrusive application.

The TritoFlex 2K liquid rubber membrane was installed in a single coat at 80 dry mils to the entire existing substrate, creating a monolithic seal and increased durability to foot traffic and ponding water resistance. The membrane was then top coated with the one coat, instant-set TritoCryl 2K white coating to finish off the roof with a slip-resistant surface and reflective benefits in the hot Mississippi summers.

Triton provides stronger, safer, and smarter alternatives to traditional roofing and waterproofing technologies. We specialize in providing our products to help protect industrial and institutional facilities like NASA around the world.

TThe John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio is one of NASA’s well known operating locations. As the U.S. government’s space and aviation agency, NASA does not like leaking roofs. Especially when they are protecting critical research equipment, labs, and materials.

One of the laboratory roofs at this base was torn-off, due to complete saturation of the existing insulation, and replaced with our TRITOflex roofing system. An independent, respected roof consulting firm recommended NASA go with a liquid-applied, instant-setting membrane rather than a traditional rolled or sheet good because of the high number of penetrations and flashing requirements on this roof. A factory-manufactured membrane would not only mean a higher cost, but one more prone to leaks and maintenance with reliance on termination bars, bands, caulk, etc.

Quality Installation

The seamless, monolithic TritoFlex 2K membrane was spray-applied to an 80 mil (2 mm) dry thickness, in one coat over the self-adhering bitumen base sheet, with a 20 mil (0.5 mm) TritoTherm ceramic top coat. The new roof, which is warrantied to withstand extreme winds and hail for 20 years, was installed by a Certified Triton Applicator.

NASA has joined the long list of clients who are happy and satisfied with a new leak-free, low-maintenance Triton roof system. After seeing how our roofs compare to roofs on all their other buildings, the TritoFlex system has become a common sense, eco-smart alternative for additional buildings at the center. For use on a different project, NASA actually tested our TritoFlex material in one of their labs. They exposed the membrane to temperatures in excess of 300 degrees F (148 C) and it passed all of their tests with flying colors!

NASA’s mission is to “pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.” State-of-the-art research equipment is necessary to achieve this mission. Protection of these investments starts at the top.

After having Triton’s liquid roofing products perform exceptionally well over the years, the engineers at the research center in Cleveland put the TritoFlex material through a stringent test. A specific metal building on campus used to simulate extreme environmental conditions was rusted and in need of serious restoration. However, other materials tested in their lab couldn’t meet their performance needs: highly flexible, yet strong, with an ability to withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees F. They tested the TritoFlex 2K liquid membrane and were immediately impressed.

This year, that steel structure’s 10,000 sq. ft. roof was completely restored with 80 mils (2 mm) of the TritoFlex 2K liquid rubber membrane and finished with the ceramic TritoTherm elastomeric top coat, with a 20-year material and labor warranty. Next, the exterior steel walls will be coated the same way to fully encapsulate the building envelope. TritoFlex 2K is spray-applied to form a seamless, impermeable membrane to prevent future rust, withstand structural movements, and protect NASA’s vital research equipment from the elements.nd waterproofing technologies. We specialize in providing our products to help protect industrial and institutional facilities like NASA around the world.

NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has quite a history. During WWII, the Michoud plantation was selected by the U.S. Government to build ships and planes. In 1943, the 1.8 million square foot manufacturing building, 108,000 square foot engineering building, and other smaller buildings were completed. Since then, tank engines, booster rockets, and all sorts of other mission critical assets for the military and NASA have been engineered and manufactured at this site. 

The 108,000 sf engineering building completed in 1943, adjacent to the 1.8 million sf assembly plant, is still in use today and the existing flat roof systems on these two buildings were past their useful life and in need of replacement. The original design was to remove and replace the existing 2-ply aluminum-faced Modified Bitumen 240 mil membrane with new insulation and a new 60 mil TPO membrane. All bids for the roof replacement were way over budget and not feasible. Therefore, a thorough analysis of the roof assembly was completed to determine very sound decking and minor areas of wet insulation. NASA’s engineering teams decided these roofs were good candidates for a liquid-applied recover, rather than tear-off and replacement. However, the right liquid-applied membrane must be part of the design to ensure it would last at least 20 years in the harsh Gulf climate, which is prone to numerous hurricanes, tropical storms, and more. Additionally, there is extensive roof-top equipment and fan houses, which require continual access and foot traffic.

The roof projects were re-designed using a liquid-applied, thermoset rubber membrane directly over the existing Mod-Bit roof at a minimum of 80 dry mils, increasing the overall waterproofing thickness to 320 mils, compared to tearing it all off and downgrading to 60 mils at a much higher price tag. After making minor repairs and replacement of wet insulation, the TritoFlex 2K liquid roofing system was installed by a certified contractor. Triton’s TritoFlex 2K liquid rubber membrane has the highest wind uplift approvals in the industry and high flexibilty and durability. Additionally, the safe installation, being water-based and VOC-free, meant no disruption to the operations of the facilities, and the slip-resistant, textured surface upon completion meant a safe roof after installation.

After completion, these roofs have now withstood three different hurricanes. Two of those hurricanes littered the Triton roof surface with extensive debris, including steel and light poles. Only damage to the sacrificial, reflective TritoCryl 2K topcoat occurred, with no damage or perforation through the 80 mil TritoFlex membrane. During Hurricane Ida in 2021, portions of the large 1.8 million square foot assembly plant roof blew off, as the gypsum cover board facer delaminated from itself. Rather than use conventional blue tarps or TPO single-ply as a temporary membrane, TritoFlex 2K was sprayed immediately over the exposed, failed sections of roof to provide a seamless, instant waterproofing layer to stop further moisture damage in the building. The results were astounding. Please contact us for further details.

A small Modified Bitumen roof at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Center in Texas was leaking and in need of a long-term solution that would prevent a disruptive and costly tear-off. 

Existing Mod-Bit roofs are easily restored or fully recovered with Triton’s industrial-grade, non-toxic rubber membrane called TritoFlex 2K. Rather than waste the existing durability and ductility of the existing 2-ply Mod-Bit membrane, the U.S. Government was able to still utilize it by adding an 80 dry mil, thick and durable rubber membrane with no seams directly to it. This increased the overall roof membrane thickness to over 320 mils and eliminating the traditional failure points of seams and flashings.

The TritoFlex 2K rubber membrane was spray applied by a veteran-owned Certified Contractor in just one coat. After touch-ups with the TritoFlex 1K Rubber, they sealed the ends of the metal roof panels and exposed fasteners adjacent to this flat roof section with TritoFlex 1K. The new rubber waterproofing membrane covers up to 2″ hail, wind gusts up to 165 mph, and any amount of ponding water. With over 1200% elongation and 600 psi tensile strength, the new membrane will withstand the test of time.

The TritoFlex 2K membrane was then covered with a bright white, reflective topcoat. TritoCryl 2K is a high-quality acrylic with ponding water resistance and serves as a sacrificial, renewable layer. This means the U.S. Government can continue to renew the life of this roof without ever tearing it off or replacing the seamless rubber membrane under the topcoat.

Triton has engineered stronger and safer alternatives to traditional roofing systems for institutional facilities and has become a top choice for roofs throughout all U.S. Federal Government agencies, including ICE.  

Prisons and correctional facility roofs are difficult to replace when they reach the end of their life. Tear-offs are costly, disruptive to prison operations, and require additional security measures. At this correctional facility, a ballasted EPDM roof made a replacement even more problematic. 

The General Contractor recommended the City Government who owns the prison take a look at Triton’s alternative solutions to replacing this roof. After proper analysis and due diligence was completed, it was determined the existing loose-laid EPDM membrane could be saved and mechanically-attached to the existing concrete deck. This would allow a new, seamless rubber membrane to be applied directly over the EPDM membrane to create a more puncture-resistant and durable waterproofing system.

TritoFlex 2K is a safe, non-toxic material with no VOC’s or harmful, disruptive odors that could affect the prison’s operations or result in legal complaints. It is applied quickly in just one coat with Triton’s instant-set technology, resulting in a thick 80 mil, impermeable waterproofing membrane. The contractor was able to remove the rock ballast, safely and securely attach the existing EPDM membrane and waterproof every new fastener and plate, and clean the EPDM of dirt it had collected over 20+ years. The TritoFlex 2K rubber membrane was then spray-applied directly to the cleaned EPDM.

The new rubber membrane was then top coated with a bright white TritoCryl 1K layer to achieve reduced heat transfer and sustainability. The final surface of all Triton’s roof restoration and recover systems is slip-resistant, providing peace of mind to institutions. Many conventional roofing systems, such as PVC, TPO, and Silicone, are extremely slippery when wet and add a life safety issue that wouldn’t have been present on this roof.

Triton has engineered stronger and safer alternatives to traditional roofing systems for institutional facilities and has become a top choice for prisons and correctional facilities around the country.